#TBT Zombie Program Activity

Back in 2014, I published a post about a trio of counterproductive practices that contribute to zombie program activity. You know, all those things you do for reasons no one really remembers but the organization does them anyway. As the field emerges from pandemic crisis mode, it’s an ideal time to re-evaluate what you’re doing, measure its value, and ask some tough questions about whether it really contributes to your mission. …

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There's Buy-In and Then There's Buy-In

I had a fascinating conversation with a colleague several weeks ago that focused on the current trend for orchestras in dire financial straits to adopt artistic activities that rely heavily on expanding into new territories. Typical jargon for this sort of behavior is “getting out of the concert hall” or “getting into the community.”

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There’s Buy-In and Then There’s Buy-In

I had a fascinating conversation with a colleague several weeks ago that focused on the current trend for orchestras in dire financial straits to adopt artistic activities that rely heavily on expanding into new territories. Typical jargon for this sort of behavior is “getting out of the concert hall” or “getting into the community.”

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Why Smart Managers Are Looking At The Slow Food Movement

Recently, Diane Ragsdale posted an interesting article at her blog that compares the Slow Food movement and the culture sector. It’s chocked full of thoughtful observations and, in turn, has generated a healthy comment thread. Ragsdale’s post made me recall the pair of articles at Neo Classical from Holly Mulcahy in 2008 on the same topic…

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Good For Philadelphia

The 7/1/2010 edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer published an article by Classical Music Critic Peter Dobrin that reports the Philadelphia Orchestra and Philly Pops have decided not to pursue plans for the former to absorb the latter. Regardless the reasons, it’s good to see that both groups were willing to honestly examine the situation and back away from a decision regardless of appearances…

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