Audience Development
Examining The LA Opera’s Pilot Program To Put Opera Into Popular Media Culture Part 1
Mon, Jan 1, 2020
by Drew McManus
In 2014, I served as an adjudicator for an Opera America grant panel. One of the grant recipients was the Los Angeles (LA) Opera, which used the funding to initiate a pilot program to put opera into popular media culture. At the time, it was an ambitious and intriguing program. Here’s how the organization described
Must-Read Friday
Fri, Nov 11, 2019
by Drew McManus
When faced with all the challenges that are genuinely out of our control, it never ceases to surprise me when nonprofit performing arts organizations overlook the things they have control over. Earlier this week, Joe Patti published an article that examines one of the most commonly overlooked issues: creating an environment that fosters a sense
Patron Service, Patron Experience, and Patron Care
Thu, Sep 9, 2019
by Drew McManus
Last year, I cancelled a membership at one of Chicago’s premier art museums due to an issue with promised member benefits. In this case, the museum designed a benefit to help sidestep a well-known pain point in the form of long entrance lines. It was simple: members receive expedited entry. It is an effective benefit
Stop Spoiling The Newbie Concert Experience
Mon, Aug 8, 2019
by Drew McManus
It should come as no secret that we can be our own worst enemies when it comes to turning off new concertgoers and no stakeholder is immune. Moreover, it never hurts to remind ourselves what we can do to avoid these bear traps and to that end, violinist Holly Mulcahy recently published an article that
I’ll Try, But I Don’t Think My Phone Will Fit In There