Working toward long-term organizational sustainability, growth, and successful leadership with the DeVos Institute of Arts Management
CultureWorks was selected as one of 15 arts organizations along the lakeshore to participate in Capacity Building: Michigan Lakeshore, a 2-year technical assistance and planning intensive through the DeVos Institute for Arts Management.
Through monthly intensives, workshops, strategic planning, one-on-one consultations, and roundtables, we’re developing sustainable models for growth and capacity under the guidance of key leaders in arts management. It’s a tremendous honor to learn directly from DVIAM President Brett Egan, Chairman Michael Kaiser, and other leaders at DVIAM who recognize that arts and cultural organizations are facing new challenges in this post-pandemic moment and that our work is vital to the health of individuals, communities, and our nation.
This opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time – we’ve been stretched to our limits over the past few years as our community has come to rely on and expect greater things from CultureWorks while we continue to struggle with recruiting/retaining board members and find funding to support our growing staffing and budgetary needs.
Fully underwritten by the Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation, the capacity building programs have served more than 2,000 organizations in over 30 communities throughout the US and around the world. Methodology is designed to support ambitious artistic planning, pragmatic financial planning, productive board engagement, and effective marketing. The program’s components revolve around the Cycle, a simple, but comprehensive, theory of non-profit sustainability that encourages:
- bold, mission-driven, and balanced programming
- aggressive program and institutional marketing
- organizational growth, nurtured by visibility and enthusiasm
- reinvestment of revenue in infrastructure and program excellence
Executive Director Emily Christensen, BOD President Jack Burk, and Program Director Candice Arnwine, are delighted to participate in this transformative experience. After completing the first 2 of 5 intensives, we already feel better equipped to lead CultureWorks into even greater things.
Press:
- Grand Rapids Business Journal – 10.11.22
- MiBiz – 09.29.22
- WGVU/NPR Interview – 09.29.22
- Michigan News – 09.29.22
Photos curtesy of RDV Corp and June Bug Photography
