So, the idea for this post actually orginated from a conversation on Twitter. Two weeks ago, We retweeted a great list of 50 Best Blogs for Nonprofit Leaders (that you should definitely also check out) and got an unexpected reply from @ArtsAppeal, also known as David Zoltan, arts fundraiser and blogger. He wrote: "@FCAtlanta @fdncenter I wish more of these lists included blogs on arts leadership and fundraising!"
He made a great point. Most nonprofit bloggers specialize in a certain area of nonprofit operations like fundraising or marketing, and give advice and tips that are useful across a broad range of different organizations. On the other hand, arts organizations have some very particular characteristics and challenges; cultivating season ticket holders, developing audiences, and generating buzz about upcoming exhibitions are important topics for arts organizations, but blogs that cover them tend not to make general "best of" nonprofit blog lists. There's also no list of best blogs for arts nonprofits, so, with great suggestions from Atlanta PlanIt, C4 Atlanta, David Zoltan, and Jason Parker of Art Relish, we made one!
Without further introduction, the blogs:
(arranged roughly by topic, authors and twitter handles included if available)
Arts Marketing, Fundraising and Audience Development
Arts Marketing, Chad Bauman (@chadbauman): a blog to discuss arts marketing related issues in the United States.
Audience Development Specialists Blog, Shoshana Fanizza (@AudienceDevSpec): the blog of consultant group Audience Development Specialists with helpful tips for growing your audience.
Life's a Pitch, Amanda Ameer (@amandaameer): Applying sucessful ideas from marketing and publicity campaigns to the arts.
Arts Appeal, David Zoltan (@ArtsAppeal): Fundraising in the arts, arts management, and other related commentary.
Arts Policy and Management
Art Works, official blog of the National Endowment for the Arts. Some great conversation in the comments, especially regarding NEA Chair Rocco Landesman's recent speech about the supply of arts nonprofits.
The Artful Manager, Andrew Taylor (@artfulmanager): thinking about the business of arts and culture.
Butts in the Seats (love the name!): thoughts on arts management from a theatre manager
Createquity, Ian David Moss (@createquity): A unique virtual think tank exploring the intersection of the arts with a wide range of topics. Great food for thought.
Jumper, Diane Ragsdale (@DERagsdale): a blog on what the arts do and why, with a focus on arts policy and strategy.
State of the Art, James Undercofler, Professor of Arts Administration in Drexel University: an ongoing investigation into the innovations and impediments in nonprofit arts that come from the traditional 501c3 structure.
Dog Days, Dalogue Smith: a blog about "doing the work together to make a place for the arts in all government policy."
Fractured Atlas blog (@fracturedatlas): features members, research, policy commentary, as well as arts management advice and tips.
ARTSblog, Americans for the Arts (@americans4arts): arts advocacy, policy, and management, as well as features from the Emerging Leader's Council
Barry's Blog, a service of the Western States Arts Federation: news, advice, and opinion for the arts administrator.
Theatre-specific
American Theatre Wing blog: podcasts, video, and thoughts from Executive Director Howard Sherman (@HESherman)
2AMtheatre (@2amt): an arts blog and ongoing twitter conversation at hashtag #2amt: theatre, management, policy, and brainstorming all coming at you at once.
Atlanta Arts Organizations
Art Relish, Jason Parker (@artrelish): a great resource for keeping up with upcoming arts events in Atlanta. Features a blog and calendar.
C4 Atlanta, (@C4Atlanta): thinking about entrpreneurship in the arts and the growth of a sustainable creative economy.
I'd love for this list to grow as a resources for arts nonprofits, so to artists and arts administrators: if you don't see your favorite blogs here, please tell us who else you're reading and I'll keep updating!
Elyse Klova, Program Associate, Foundation Center-Atlanta
This is a fantastic list, Elyse! Thank you so much for putting it together. It definitely surpassed my expectations.
Posted by: ArtsAppeal | February 24, 2011 at 04:22 PM