On March 16, 2017, ArtsFund hosted internationally renowned arts management expert Michael Kaiser to speak on the future of the arts in America. Nearly 100 arts leaders, administrators, and board members gathered at K&L Gates to listen as Mr. Kaiser discussed the major challenges facing arts organizations today. Following welcoming remarks by ArtsFund President & CEO Mari Horita, and K&L Gates Partner and ArtsFund Trustee Stephan Coonrod, Mr. Kaiser began by outlining the seven key reasons he is concerned for the future of the arts in our country, highlighting a lack of institutional arts marketing, a decreasing philanthropic base, and lack of arts education. Mr. Kaiser’s complete remarks can be viewed here.
Photo: Robert Wade Photography
After a brief break, Mr. Kaiser sat down for a Q&A with Seattle Repertory Theatre Managing Director Jeffrey Herrmann. He addressed questions of the unique productivity efficiency issues as they relate to arts organizations, recommendations for arts marketing, and issues of equity and inclusion. He emphasized: “the most import thing for an arts organization to be healthy is to produce exciting and engaging work.”
Photo: Robert Wade Photography
Mr. Kaiser concluded that he is an optimist, and sees a bright future for organizations that can recognize and rise to the challenges he outlined. “We are so fortunate to have the freedoms we have to create art and arts institutions in the United States of America,” he remarked, “but with this freedom comes the responsibility to do it well.”
Watch Michael Kaiser’s remarks and the discussion with Jeffrey Herrmann:
Remarks by Michael Kaiser begin at 5:50
Discussion with Jeffrey Herrmann begins at 31:10
Audience Q&A starts at 48:50
View photos of the event here.
View Mr. Kaiser’s remarks here.
Thank you to K&L Gates for hosting us and to Robert Wade Photography.
A special thanks to Allan and Nora Davis for sponsoring this event.