The Launch
Launching My Arts Consulting Practice: A Vision for Stronger, More Inspired Organizations
My inspiration for launching this consulting practice comes from a lifelong belief in the transformative power of music — its ability to touch the hearts of students, move audiences, and enrich communities. Over the years, I’ve seen how the arts can shape not just individuals, but society as a whole.
If you are a leader in the arts, there may be untapped opportunities to strengthen your organization and broaden its reach. Some of these resources may be hidden in plain sight — let’s explore them together.
Asking the Right Questions
In my years as an arts leader and consultant, I often asked myself:
● What do I want my organization to look like in five years?
● How will we meet those goals?
● What do our constituents truly need from us?
As I launch this consultancy, my mission is to help organizations fully develop their strengths. I’ll ask you: when was the last time you reviewed your mission, vision, and values to ensure they still serve your purpose? When was the last time you created — and actively maintained — a strategic plan? If it’s been a while, bringing in a consultant with expertise in this area can be one of the best investments you make.
Planning with Purpose
Strategic planning isn’t just about writing a document — it’s about setting measurable goals and ensuring your faculty, curriculum, and programming reflect the evolving needs of today’s students and families. In a rapidly changing world, arts organizations can offer unique experiences that go beyond what traditional school curricula provide. Music, dance, and theatre can open new doors for expression and connection.
Your faculty — the people on the front lines with students — often have brilliant ideas for new programs. Involving them in planning not only inspires innovation, it helps shape those ideas into sustainable, replicable courses of study.
Fundraising as a Growth Engine
Fundraising remains one of the most significant challenges, especially for smaller organizations without large development teams. Recent trends show that individual donors may be more inclined to give, even as foundations adjust their priorities.
As an executive director, you must make time to nurture donor relationships:
● Research potential supporters.
● Keep them informed about your mission and progress.
● Invite them to events or intimate performances to showcase your work.
Remember the old adage: if you don’t ask, they won’t give. Establishing clear fundraising goals — and regularly checking key performance indicators (KPIs) — should be built into your strategic plan.
Communication and Engagement
A consistent, well-crafted newsletter can keep your stakeholders engaged by highlighting student achievements, faculty spotlights, and upcoming events. This regular connection reinforces your organization’s value and impact.
Sustaining Your Faculty
One challenge I hear often is: How do we pay our faculty a fair, living wage? Tuition income and donations must align with an equitable pay structure. Differences in experience, skills, and teaching success should be acknowledged and reflected in your pay scale.
Data is key here: robust enrollment and performance tracking systems are far more effective than outdated spreadsheets. If you can analyze enrollment trends, student progress, and demographic information, you can forecast growth and make informed budget decisions.
The Path Forward
There are countless factors that contribute to the success of an arts organization — too many to list here. My goal is to help you identify, prioritize, and act on the ones that will have the most impact.
If you’re ready to explore your organization’s potential, let’s have a conversation. Together, we can create a plan to make your organization the very best it can be.