Saturday, December 29, 2012

Branding

I attended an interesting talk on why branding is important for community organisations such as Rotary. I thought that the points were particularly relevant to arts organisations and hope that you will also benefit from the ideas shared.

Your reputation is more than just a logo. It is the values that you stand for, your opinions and what others say about you. You need to guard you brand, like your reputation, zealously and be passionate about  what you do.

Branding is th organisation's reputation and what it will offer its clients and the wider community. It is the collective understanding of the organisation by those clients. Branding is an experience which touches the emotions, senses and perception. It is important for your message to touch the senses - hear taste and see the experience - to ensure that people remember you.

It is important that the clients have a consistent, authentic experience that they can trust. Branding needs to be part of every interaction (touch point) with the organisation service, product and all activities. It states the difference between the competitors, increases your recognition and encourages customer loyalty.As such the organisation needs to build trust by consistently meeting and exceeding expectations, always delivering on the promise. Be authentic and real by being honest and transparent about what you do.


address to arts graduates

Address to the graduates of the 2012 City of Cape Town Arts Training Programme

I was honoured to be asked to address the graduates from the accredited arts training programme run by the City of Cape Town. 

Congratulations on the completion of your courses.

Today I would like to talk about the importance of such programmes which skill and nurture people to enter the arts in a more professional manner. We need people to work towards a unified industry where there is an agreement on what we want to accomplish and agree on a code of ethical conduct and good practice. You have the skills and opportunities to make such a contribution towards this industry.

The arts industry is both a wonderful and frustrating sector which has the potential to transform society. The arts are fundamental in developing new ways of thought and interpretation and imagining the way we want our world to be. The arts provide the nation with its identity, passion and soul. It helps us to express ourselves and to come together to be proud of our country and our culture. It is that undefinable ingredient that moves us from survival to a life of infinite possibilities - the difference between a pencil sketch and a full blown multimedia spectacular.

Given that there are some curious conversations about the arts which affects our ability to grow and be recognised. One is that the arts do not have any value because there is no direct economic benefit; hence the reference to the creative industries or arts industries in an effort to gain recognition. There is also the idea that anyone can “do” the arts and that it is some form of recreation. However the same people will also complain about the lack of world class talent in South Africa.

People are ignoring the tile, skill and investment needed to grow the arts and an industry. This is where courses such as this and accredited training is vital in building a South African arts industry. We need professionals, who can efficiently create and present the arts; who can move us away from the debate to celebrating our world class artists. We need you to present South African art in a manner which generates the recognition of our talent, personal enjoyment and enrichment which in turn nurtures the income and business structure. This is a huge request of you but by successfully implementing your training you will be doing this and so much more.

Thank you for inviting me to your graduation. I am looking forward to observing your growing contribution towards the South African arts industry.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

The business of the arts?

Most people know that I am passionate about the concept of turning the arts into a paying business. Where artists can earn a decent living and be recognised for their talents and ability to translate our daily existence into works of art (visual and performing arts)

The Daily Maverick has published this brilliant article "The art scene cocktail round: Anyone bored yet?" Andrew Miller makes some interesting points about the current support of artists, especially visual artists and type of training that the arts really need. It is noted that the majority of genuine entrepreneurial activity amongst the youth appears to take place in the arts - so where is the support for these people?
Andrew Miller makes three valuable recommendations:
 1. Accept that the broad world of the arts is as much a business as a creative calling – and support it accordingly with real BDS.
 2. Move (far) beyond the idea that an expo or arts showcase has inherent value for the artists.
 3. Aggressively seek to expose young artists and creative business people to real digital literacy.  

Imagine what the arts would look like if we could we move from subsistence, survivalist arts businesses to operational entities that employ people? Worth thinking about

Monday, November 26, 2012

Branding for not for profits

I often think of branding as being a commercial marketing issue only for big business. Is it not taking valuable time and resources away from our services and helping people? Oscar Abello has written an interesting article on why branding is important for small nonprofits He argues that a lack of branding means that small grassroots groups don’t get the credit they deserve for being the world’s frontline soldiers in the struggle against poverty. Fundraising platforms gives organisation access to tools to be able to tell their story, connect with people and organisations and attract more resources for their work. Branding gives the organisation the opportunity to tell their stories about their place in fighting poverty, highlight successes and the people they have helped and encourage key partnerships with other organisations and the community that they serve.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

the importance of educating the audience

Misson Paradox is a wonderful blog which addresses arts marketing. I found this post to be very interesting and helpful. This post reminds me of the initial purpose of encore - to educate and inspire people to support our local arts. Nice to know that an instinctual response is on track.

A vital element of good arts marketing is the ability, and willingness, to teach. People don't engage with things they don't understand.

That's a barrier that separates people from art.  This is especially true for more traditional art forms like opera, classical music, ballet and theatre.  Art has it's own language and customs.  You may not notice them anymore because you have become so close to the art.  That's understandable, but it's also a problem.

When you start the marketing process it's helpful to see yourself as a teacher and your audience as smart, but slightly anxious, students. So maybe you shoot a series of videos explaining exactly how musical theatre gets made. Maybe you find an entertaining way of explaining a complex opera. Maybe you do a series of blog posts with dancers explaining moves common to the work.

Just remember that your goal here is to be a good teacher.  Your goal isn't to lecture.  Your goal isn't to make yourself feel smart at your student's expense.  Your goal is to make them a smarter, more informed, consumer of the artform in general.

Why?  We remember and value great teachers.  If you become one your value to your audience increases.

The art we do comes and goes.  One play today, another tomorrow. Great teaching remains.

Use your marketing platform as an opportunity to teach.  It will make your work much more effective.



Tuesday, November 13, 2012

7 things every leader needs to quit

Being a leader is not easy, especially in an arts organisation. I found the article below interesting and useful - hope that you do too.
1. Measuring success compared to another’s success
Your leadership will not be like someone else’s leadership. It’s not designed to be. You’ll likely be successful in ways other leaders aren’t. Some of those may be visible and measurable, but some may not be. The goal should be to be the best leader you can be.

2. Pretending to have all the answers
There’s an unfair expectation many leaders face to be the person with the answer in every situation. Seriously, how’s that working for you? The sooner you admit you don’t have all the answers, the quicker your team will be willing to fill in your gaps.

3. Trying to be popular
If you want to be popular, be a celebrity. If you want to be a leader, be willing to do the hard tasks to take people where they need (and probably want to go) but may be resistant to along the way. Leadership can be lonely at times. Be prepared.

4. Leading alone
Just because leadership can be lonely, doesn’t mean you have to lead alone. Good leaders surround themselves with people who care, people who can hold them accountable and sharpen their character.

If you have a tendency to separate yourself from others, stop now and reach out to someone. Take a bold risk of being vulnerable and release some of the weight of responsibility you feel.

5. Acting like it doesn’t hurt
When people you trust betray you…it hurts. When people rebel against your leadership…it hurts. On days where it seems you have more enemies than friends…it hurts. Don’t pretend it doesn’t. You won’t lead well if you’re a crybaby, but you should have some outlets where you can share your pain.

6. Trying to control every outcome
Three reasons not to: 1) It doesn’t work. 2) It limits others. 3) It’s not right. Leadership is not about control. It’s about relational influence.

When you control others, you limit people to your abilities. When you empower people, you limit people to their combined abilities as a team…and there’s strength in numbers.

7. Ignoring the warning signs of burnout
At some point in your leadership, if you really are leading through the deep waters of change, relational differences, or simply the stress of wearing the leader hat, you’ll face burnout.

When you start to have more negative thoughts than positive thoughts, when the pressure of leadership is unbearable for a long period of time, or when your leadership starts to negatively impact your physical or emotional health or your relationships, it’s time to seek help.

Be honest: Which of these do you most need to quit?

Monday, October 22, 2012

I Am Hamlet: Review by Daniel Dercksen

Reviewed by Daniel Dercksen :What Simon says, matters
'I am Hamlet'
Directed by Patrick Walton
Cast: Leon Clingman and Aidan Whytock

Capetown theatre buffs are fortunate to have an independent producer like Sugar-Daddy feeding us with slices of imposing international plays.

Following its sensational Line, the staging of British playwright Richard James' witty and intelligent I Am Hamlet is another sumptous feast.

Theatregoers are ultimate voyeurs, and ultimately want their craving satisfied. With the delicious mindbender I am Hamlet, one viewing is definitely not enough.

The stage becomes a battleground of wit and willpower between a conceited actor and imposing director, who use the 'flowery' words of the Bard to duel to the death.

It's one of those ingenious creations where a deadly secret is neatly wrapped into its core, and as the play unfolds, the audience slowly unravels with the characters and the result is devestatingly profound.

Swapping roles, where the director's impassioned and over-dramatic interpretations have to be reigned in by the actor, or where the actor's lack of interest of understanding forces the director to tear out his hair, it's amusing drama that playfully untangles the knots and unnerves thior confidence and bravura.

The Intimate Theatre is offers a perfect setting for the play, allowing the audience to step on to the stage with the actor, and share the audition process intimately. It is this soothing seduction that ultimately poisons reason and reveals its melevolent nature.

As hidden motives and buried secrets reveal the true nature of the motivations of the characters and the action, Shakespeare's Hamlet is indeed a wonderful metaphor to reflect the turmoil and disillusionment of the characters. I am Hamlet skillfully journeys into the mindscape of the anxious characters, exposing emotional torment

An underlying anger exposes a fragile vulnerability that is sometimes funny, and sometimes heartbreaking.

There's definitely "more than meets the eye!" and what Simon says, matters.

Knowledge and knowing battle ignorance as the ritualistic audition becomes a platform that tests theirs strengths and weaknesses. The audition and Shakespeare's words touches a nerve that triggers unexpected behavior and crucifies morality. The audition turns into a personal interrogation that result in some great interaction and reaction between the performers.

Leon Clingman delivers an astounding (and sometmes frightening) performance as a director who yearns to gain recognition in mainstream theatre.

Aidan Whytock is a revelation with his masterful abilty to balance introspective silence with intense emotions; his sensitive vulnerabilty and fearful aggression is superb as we slowly learn that Simon has more in common with the Prince of Denmark than meets the eye.
Imaginatively directed by Patrick Walton, I am Hamlet is one of those rare gems you have to experience.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Bench

Bench is an interesting interaction between two men contemplating a crime. Initially it has a "Waiting for Godot"feel in that the characters are waiting for someone who never appears. There is a clever twist that leads to a satisfying end.

I enjoyed the banter between the two characters. Brent Palmer and Adrian Collins are brilliant together and play off each other so well. Its is an emotional and clever journey between comedic and serious moments as you get to know the characters. Henry, the con man, is so greasy that he almost becomes endearing. Dwain initially appears as the passive aggressive fool but slowly upwraps the different layers of their lives revealing Henry's character.


I attended the script reading at the Baxter several months ago and this is a tighter version of the script. The play has a lot of swearing that wasn't in the reading which I initially found irritating. However it fit the context of the play and added to the comic moments. The audience was completely absorbed in the play and there were many outbursts of laughter at the clever dialogue. It is a must see and well done to Brent on the script and both Brent and Adrian for a fabulous show.

Friday, August 24, 2012

"Business" Education for Artists

I firmly believe that the performing arts needs a corps of "non-creative" professionals who can run the industry effectively. People who can let our talented artists improve their skill and perform more. Cynically you might say that it gives people like me a place in the industry.

It seems like madness that an artist has to create, produce and then manage their work to be able to perform. In any other sector we bring in others who specialise in a particular field like financial management, human resources, logistics and so on; and yet artists are expected to do all this and provide a world class performance. Ask any creative and all they want to do is perform / create. Unfortunately there is often not the work - unless you create it yourself. In South Africa the arts courses focus on the creative aspect of the arts with a few modules on the business of the arts. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all our higher institutions offered a business of the arts programme?


This idea has been growing over the past three years which has led me to research the curriculum for arts studies in the USA, UK, Europe and Australia. The arts is seen as a reputable profession that needs trained / qualified people. The programmes focus on the above aspects as well as technical skills, arts history, arts education / audience development as well as performance. 

Butts In the Seats takes this as a given but focuses on the teaching of the curriculum referring to an excellent article by The Savvy Musicians Blog called Reimagining Higher Education for the Arts. Cutler suggests that students looking for a career in the arts need to be more than just talented artists. They need to be good collaborators and have some basic entrepreneurial ambitions.



Thursday, August 23, 2012

Internet Ideas for Artists

I often joke about being a technophobe and a dinosaur who uses pen and notebook as preferred form of recording. However even I am being dragged into the 21st Century (kicking and screaming all the way). Ironically I am an avid collector (or hoarder if you ask Paul) of information and so am completely in love with the internet. I have become a regular follower of arts blogs and getting the most amazing information and ideas from all over the world. My favourite is Butts in the Seats.


Through various links I came across the Internet For Artists Handbook web site. It is fabulous with very clear and simple explanations of all aspects of using the internet and social media to promote the arts. There are also links to best practice in each media - wonderful. Now I just have to implement them all

Our thoughts and comments on performances and the performing arts in the Western Cape, South Africa.