Finding Joy In Fascination

Adaptistration People 114Joe Patti published a wonder morsel today at ArtsHacker that focuses on a poem by Denise Levertov, “The Secret.” I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t take enough time to read poetry so crossing paths with Levertov’s poem via Patti’s post is the stuff that inspires gratitude. Patti says the poem “addresses so many of the anxieties and hang ups that both artists and potential audiences have about art” and there’s something cathartic about reveling in the beauty of concise prose.

So take a quick moment out of your day and leave the discouraging headlines from current events behind, even if for just a moment, and find some joy in the fascination patrons can experience by way of performing art.

Read Sharing The Secret

About Drew McManus

"I hear that every time you show up to work with an orchestra, people get fired." Those were the first words out of an executive's mouth after her board chair introduced us. That executive is now a dear colleague and friend but the day that consulting contract began with her orchestra, she was convinced I was a hatchet-man brought in by the board to clean house.

I understand where the trepidation comes from as a great deal of my consulting and technology provider work for arts organizations involves due diligence, separating fact from fiction, interpreting spin, as well as performance review and oversight. So yes, sometimes that work results in one or two individuals "aggressively embracing career change" but far more often than not, it reinforces and clarifies exactly what works and why.

In short, it doesn't matter if you know where all the bodies are buried if you can't keep your own clients out of the ground, and I'm fortunate enough to say that for more than 15 years, I've done exactly that for groups of all budget size from Qatar to Kathmandu.

For fun, I write a daily blog about the orchestra business, provide a platform for arts insiders to speak their mind, keep track of what people in this business get paid, help write a satirical cartoon about orchestra life, hack the arts, and love a good coffee drink.

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