I'm constantly reminded of the value of long term artistic planning. By long term I mean actively thinking about (and making progress toward) projects, partnerships and collaborations that you would love to do 3, 5 even 10 years from now.
I've had the pleasure of observing situations where an artist talks to fans, donors, board, etc. about their artistic hopes and dreams.
When that happens you can feel the excitement level in the room rise.
We talk so much about revenue generation in the for profit and non profit arts that it can easily lead one to believe that we are in the money business.
The truth is that we are in the excitement business.
Our job is to come up with artistic projects that thrill people . . . that make them want to jump up and be involved.
We are in the emotion business, we have to use our art and our marketing (and our fundraising when applicable) to make people FEEL something.
If you can do that the money will come eventually. (maybe)
But first you have to be willing to think long term. You've got to be willing to imagine projects that you can't afford right now. You've got to ponder (and speak about) art that will set the trend and not follow it.
Start thinking about it now. You know what your art is today. But where could you be five years from today?
That's what generates the excitement you need over the long haul.
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