Book: The Cycle: A Practical Approach to Managing Arts Organizations
Authors: Michael Kaiser, Brett E. Egan
Review: Miriam Bruns, executive director at the Goethe-Zentrum / German Cultural Center Atlanta
In 2014, Atlanta’s arts and cultural institutions continuously made the news for the wrong reasons – the mere struggle to survive. Despite our successes, including generous donor support, loyal audiences and daring new endeavors, I worry about the future in our sector. Returning to an author who has guided and inspired me throughout the recent tough years of reorganization in the arts world, I chose Michael Kaiser’s latest book, “The Cycle”.
Kaiser has led some of the most significant turnarounds at art organizations over the past decades. His latest work provides a roadmap to financial and programming success and could serve as a manual for reevaluating our approaches. The Cycle is a helpful read for all stakeholders involved in arts organizations, be they board members, artists, staff, volunteers, donors or audiences. Kaiser names this broad group the “institutional family” and offers insights and ideas on how to build it.
“It is time to start dreaming again,” Kaiser writes, encouraging bold, long-term programming and giving practical advice on implementing his strategies. He argues that organizations should establish strong institutional marketing, use dedicated board support and undertake strategic fundraising to generate the necessary resources for even bolder programming. In turn, the “institutional family” grows. A growing “family” therefore provides the resources to continue the cycle.
I encourage my fellow “family” members to find inspiration in “The Cycle” and to envision a positive future for Atlanta’s arts and cultural organizations.
Read Ms. Bruns’ review from last year: Love and Liberation on the Open Road in 1919
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