Workshops
A.R.T./New York offers a suite of workshops for our members as skills-building opportunities fully included in the cost of membership. We strive to offer education from multiple perspectives and pedagogies for staff in every department of our member companies. Members are encouraged to send interns and associate-level staff members to workshops as part of their professional development offerings.
We have organized our workshops into tracks based on the topic of focus. Some workshops are cross-listed under multiple tracks but refer to the same event. Click on each track below to view the available workshops.
A note about COVID-19:
Due to the need to move our programs online, we have rescheduled many of our upcoming workshops. To view the most up-to-date listings for our workshops, roundtables, and other events, please visit our Event Calendar.
Tracks
The Fundamentals
While some of these workshops intersect with other tracks, the workshops listed below are designed for our Incubator and Tier 4 members. If you're new to producing or running a theater company, these workshops offer a taste of everything you need to get started!
Organizational Planning & Process: Part 1
Anne Dunning
Wednesday, January 15, 2020, 4:00pm - 8:00pm
This workshop is the first in a three-part series comprised of two group workshops and a one-on-one consulting session for each participant theatre. This workshop provides critical conceptual and practical building blocks for theatres developing organizational structures that fully reflect and support the work they are developing and producing. Topics examined include realities faced by small theatres today; key defining and guiding values and processes of each theatre's organization and culture based on its own unique qualities; and, insights into broad organizational application of these unique qualities. Participants are given an assignment to write an Organization Profile for review in Part Two.
The Organizational Planning and Process series is for member theatres operating under $500,000. Limited to two staff members per company. Completion of both parts of Organizational Planning and Process is required to be eligible to apply for the Nancy Quinn Fund grant program.
Organizational Planning & Process: Part 2
Anne Dunning & Nello McDaniel
Thursday, February 13, 2020, 4:00pm - 7:00pm
This workshop is the second in the three-part Organizational Planning and Process (OP&P) series and focuses on reviewing and discussing the Organization Profile writing assignment of from Part One. The draft work of each participant theatre is reviewed and discussed in small group breakout sessions led by Anne and Nello. These review and discussion sessions provide each theatre with helpful feedback and insights toward greater clarity in their Organization Profiles from colleagues and the AAR consultants. Prerequisite for this workshop is attendance in the OP & P Part One and completion of the Organization Profile assignment.
Participation is limited to two staff members per company. Completion of both parts of Organizational Planning and Process is required to be eligible to apply for the Nancy Quinn Fund grant program. Participants who complete OP & P Workshops One and Two are eligible to have a 90-minute one-on-one session with either Nello or Anne. The one-on-one sessions are scheduled individually by AAR following the Part Two workshop.
Spreadsheet Basics
Corinne Woods
Thursday, February 27, 2020, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Spreadsheet programs like Excel can be incredibly useful tools, but if you don't know the basics they can be incredibly frustrating. Learn how to make spreadsheet programs like Excel do some of the work for you! This workshop will cover what a spreadsheet can be used for, how to set up spreadsheets so they are useful to you, the importance of data, how to format and sort a spreadsheet, and using basic formulas and functions. We'll review some tips and tricks for how to get the most out of your spreadsheet program, and why you should. While this class will specifically be looking at and working on Excel, the basics covered here are also applicable to other spreadsheet programs like Google Sheets.
Workshop participants should bring their laptops so they can follow along. A.R.T./New York has a number of laptops available for workshop attendees who need them. Please reach out to Kirsten Sweeney in advance to reserve an A.R.T./New York laptop.
For a deeper dive into Excel functionality, check out Advanced Topics in Excel.
Disability 101
Beth Prevor
Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
The arts are for everyone, and everyone is different. How we understand and respect each others’ difference is a priority in the arts community. We often discuss our diversity by categories such as race, age, gender, social-economic status, sexual orientation, etc. More often than not disability is the ‘etc’ on the diversity continuum. It’s hidden, it’s not to be talked about or discussed. Don’t look, don’t say the wrong thing. But it’s OK to say disability, and it’s OK to ask questions. I’m disabled, and I’m here to talk about disability.
This session will explore some misconceptions, assumptions, and fears we have about disability. If we want to include people with disabilities at our arts organizations, then we need to better understand the barriers they encounter, the attitudes they face, and other issues that prevent their full participation. This session will consider disability from a community/multi-cultural perspective, providing suggestions on how to create relationships with different segments of the disability community and gain a better understanding of how to include people with disability in our arts organizations. The goal is to provide participants with an open forum for discussion to ask questions about disability, language, and fears by creating a safe environment to have an open and honest conversation about disability.
Fundamentals of Social Media and Online Advertising
Christina Trivigno
Thursday, March 5, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Are you making the most of your social media advertising? In this class, we'll focus on Facebook & Instagram advertising while briefly touching upon Twitter and Google ads. We'll make the argument for a bigger digital investment, learn tracking, explore Business Manager, and discuss best practices, tools for productivity, success metrics, and more. Bring a laptop and be ready to follow along!
Building Your Board from the Bottom Up
Amy Fiiore
Wednesday, March 11, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
As a 501c3 organization, you are only legally required to supply a minimum of 3 directors for your corporation who are over 18 years of age and who approve an annual budget for the organization. Most organizations grow and thrive by requiring more from these individuals and how they support your mission can vary drastically from company to company. In this workshop, we will discuss how to transition your board into a fundraising role by looking at the different types of boards and board members, how to identify individuals who can fit these types, the best ways to recruit them, and successful methods of board management, engagement and development once they join.
This workshop is suitable for board members, officers, and executive and managing directors.
Producing Touring Engagements
Ariana Smart Truman
Thursday, March 19, 2020, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
This workshop will help you think through the A to Zs of touring a theatrical production, and will be of special benefit and interest to artist-led or ensemble-based nonprofit companies who have minimal to no experience with having their work presented outside of New York, and who have self-produced or co-produced their work in New York. We will explore how to rationally and efficiently set your production up to be ready to tour; how to budget for touring; how to determine what you need from tour presenters in terms of fee and project support; how you can identify the kinds of resources you need to make touring a sustainable and rewarding earned income stream; and how to think strategically about the intangible as well as tangible benefits to your organization. We will investigate strategies for approaching and networking with presenters and making your production appealing not just for its artistic merits, but also from logistical and budgetary perspectives. We will walk through the brass tacks of negotiating a touring contract, planning the logistics, and setting benchmarks to determine what you should manage and what you should expect your presenter to manage for you. Finally, we will touch on how to make the most of any touring engagement.
Breaking Through: Taking Your Organization to the Next Level
Edward McKeaney
Monday, March 23, 2020, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Arts Organizations go through a series of developmental steps as they work to become more established in the field. In Step 1, the company is formed and the vast majority of the administrative and producorial work is done by volunteers committed to the mission. Step 2 is defined by more regular artistic output coupled with increased earned and contributed income generation; non-profit status and a board of directors can be formed, and perhaps a paid staff member is hired.
This Workshop is designed for those companies who would like to get to Step 3. Skills and Tactics discussed in this Workshop include: Honing your Mission and unique organizational profile; Defining and enhancing your individual donor base; Streamlining your Financial reporting; Developing a strong and effective Board of Directors; and, Designing interconnected Marketing and Box Office plans to maximize your earned income. Learn best practices employed by established arts organizations that can lead to stability and organic growth, proactivity and longevity.
Quickbooks: The Basics
Heather Allen
Monday, March 30, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Are you ready to move on to the next step in bookkeeping with your theatre company but don’t know where to begin? This workshop will cover everything from how to acquire QuickBooks and open a new company file, to the inner workings of writing checks, making deposits and reconciling with your bank statement. This course will address all of your most basic how-to questions.
Intro to Non-Profit Producing
Lucy Jackson
Wednesday, April 1, 2020, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
What is a Producer? Do you need one? Is it You?
This workshop will provide a broad overview of the steps needed to get your show off the ground, from planning through performance. We'll use real-life examples of the day-to-day business of production to explore multiple producing models to get your work up and running at any level. Evaluating long and short-terms goals, we'll step through the production process, including expense budgeting, an intro to basic fundraising and income streams, contracting and negotiation, the practical skills of managing creative, technical and production teams, box office, marketing and PR and generally setting yourself up for success.
Digital Accessibility Basics
Christina Trivigno
Wednesday, April 15, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
In this class, we’ll talk about website, email, and social media accessibility best practices. In addition to improving your SEO and helping all customers access your content with ease, complying with digital accessibility standards can also protect you from litigation, which is becoming more and more important -- the number of digital accessibility lawsuits tripled in 2018 alone! Making all of your digital content accessible will not only protect your organization from liability, but it will also make your digital presence more welcoming and inclusive.
Prerequisite: Disability 101 OR participation in Access A.R.T./New York programming prior to 2020 (cohorts, workshops, etc.).
Branding Through Social Media
Francisco Mendoza
Thursday, April 23, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Social media is hailed as an "indispensable" marketing tool for any company, especially non-profits, since it's a (mostly) free way to establish an online presence. However, recent changes to the algorithms that define how posts are delivered to users, combined with an excessive number of brands trying to reach consumers on these platforms, have put into question how much value social media can really add to any marketing plan. In this workshop, we'll tackle the principles of creating an organic "always-on" social media strategy, focusing on a) clearly conveying your company's mission, b) setting yourself apart from the competition and c) finding an audience to whom this content is relevant.
Organizational Planning & Process: Part 1
Nello McDaniel
Tuesday, June 2, 2020, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
This workshop is the first in a three-part series comprised of two group workshops and a one-on-one consulting session for each participant theatre. This workshop provides critical conceptual and practical building blocks for theatres developing organizational structures that fully reflect and support the work they are developing and producing. Topics examined include realities faced by small theatres today; key defining and guiding values and processes of each theatre's organization and culture based on its own unique qualities; and, insights into broad organizational application of these unique qualities. Participants are given an assignment to write an Organization Profile for review in Part Two.
The Organizational Planning and Process series is for member theatres operating under $500,000. Limited to two staff members per company. Completion of both parts of Organizational Planning and Process is required to be eligible to apply for the Nancy Quinn Fund grant program.
Organizational Planning & Process: Part 2
Anne Dunning & Nello McDaniel
Tuesday, June 30, 2020, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
This workshop is the second in the three-part Organizational Planning and Process (OP&P) series and focuses on reviewing and discussing the Organization Profile writing assignment of from Part One. The draft work of each participant theatre is reviewed and discussed in small group breakout sessions led by Anne and Nello. These review and discussion sessions provide each theatre with helpful feedback and insights toward greater clarity in their Organization Profiles from colleagues and the AAR consultants. Prerequisite for this workshop is attendance in the OP & P Part One and completion of the Organization Profile assignment.
Participation is limited to two staff members per company. Completion of both parts of Organizational Planning and Process is required to be eligible to apply for the Nancy Quinn Fund grant program. Participants who complete OP & P Workshops One and Two are eligible to have a 90-minute one-on-one session with either Nello or Anne. The one-on-one sessions are scheduled individually by AAR following the Part Two workshop.
Accessibility
Make your shows and organizations more accessible by learning how to include audiences, artists, and staff with disabilities.
P.A.R.T.Y.: 5 Steps to Creating an Access and Inclusion Plan
Alie B. Gorrie
Monday, January 13, 2020, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
“I want to be an inclusion champion, but where do I begin?”
In this workshop, we will take a deep dive into what it looks like to create an access plan that is flexible, attainable, and sustainable. Through a combination of lecture, breakout groups, and Q and A, we will take a deep dive into planning for inclusion. We will take steps to move from ally to advocate, so that we can all show up better for the disability community. By the end of this workshop, you will have the tangible steps to move from being merely accessible to being inclusive.
Prerequisite: Disability 101 OR participation in Access A.R.T./New York programming prior to 2020 (cohorts, workshops, etc.).
Making Internships Accessible: Including Interns with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities
Museum, Arts and Culture Access Consoritum (MAC)
Wednesday, January 29, 2020, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Does your theater have an internship program? Attend this workshop with MAC's Supporting Transitions project to learn how to include individuals with autism and developmental disabilities as interns in your organization. Take steps to build a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable cultural workforce by learning strategies for including candidates with developmental disabilities in the outreach and application process, the interview and hiring process, and on the job. This workshop will help your organization access a wider pool of qualified, exciting candidates ready to enter the cultural workforce.
Prerequisite: Disability 101 OR participation in Access A.R.T./New York programming prior to 2020 (cohorts, workshops, etc.).
Intro to ASL-Interpreted Theatre
Beth Prevor
Thursday, February 6, 2020, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Have you ever thought about offering sign interpreted performances and welcoming Deaf audiences to your theaters? Where and how do I start? The questions can sometimes be overwhelming, but we’re here to tell you there are not as many barriers as you think.
This session will provide participants with the basic information and resources needed to design a successful sign language interpreted performance. Among areas we will cover: how to reach out and find qualified sign language interpreters/interpreter directors; how to develop a workable budget; how to determine production needs (audience seating, interpreter placement, lighting needs, among other issues); and most importantly––how to reach out to and market to the Deaf community.
Prerequisite: Disability 101 OR participation in Access A.R.T./New York programming prior to 2020 (cohorts, workshops, etc.).
Disability 101
Beth Prevor
Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
The arts are for everyone, and everyone is different. How we understand and respect each others’ difference is a priority in the arts community. We often discuss our diversity by categories such as race, age, gender, social-economic status, sexual orientation, etc. More often than not disability is the ‘etc’ on the diversity continuum. It’s hidden, it’s not to be talked about or discussed. Don’t look, don’t say the wrong thing. But it’s OK to say disability, and it’s OK to ask questions. I’m disabled, and I’m here to talk about disability.
This session will explore some misconceptions, assumptions, and fears we have about disability. If we want to include people with disabilities at our arts organizations, then we need to better understand the barriers they encounter, the attitudes they face, and other issues that prevent their full participation. This session will consider disability from a community/multi-cultural perspective, providing suggestions on how to create relationships with different segments of the disability community and gain a better understanding of how to include people with disability in our arts organizations. The goal is to provide participants with an open forum for discussion to ask questions about disability, language, and fears by creating a safe environment to have an open and honest conversation about disability.
Inside the Audition Room: How to Create an Inclusive Audition Environment
Alie B. Gorrie
Tuesday, April 7, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
We are quick to work on audience inclusion and access efforts, but we are left with many questions when we consider artist access.
In this workshop, we will dive into accessibility and inclusion basics, how to create an access plan that works for the artists you seek to serve, and how to take the leap from access to inclusion. This interactive presentation will equip you with new ideas and free ways you can create an inclusive audition and rehearsal environment starting right now.
A.R.T./New York member companies are welcome and encouraged to send directors, stage managers, etc. with whom they frequently work to attend this workshop, as long as that person has an individual profile with A.R.T./New York. If you are unsure how to create a profile for someone so that they can register for this workshop, please reach out to Membership Coordinator Jeannely Lopez at [email protected]
Digital Accessibility Basics
Christina Trivigno
Wednesday, April 15, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
In this class, we’ll talk about website, email, and social media accessibility best practices. In addition to improving your SEO and helping all customers access your content with ease, complying with digital accessibility standards can also protect you from litigation, which is becoming more and more important -- the number of digital accessibility lawsuits tripled in 2018 alone! Making all of your digital content accessible will not only protect your organization from liability, but it will also make your digital presence more welcoming and inclusive.
Prerequisite: Disability 101 OR participation in Access A.R.T./New York programming prior to 2020 (cohorts, workshops, etc.).
Achievable Accessibility
Christine Bruno & Beth Prevor
Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
This workshop will focus on achievable solutions to engage and include people with disabilities in all aspect of your organizations, including artists, audiences, staffs, and boards. Welcoming people with disabilities doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. This session will examine some of the barriers to participation faced by people with disabilities and offer some solutions and suggestions on how to overcome them. Whether your theater is large or small, access and inclusion for people with disabilities can be achievable. Participants will be provided with tools and resources on how to best serve people with disabilities in all areas of our organizations. Advice on how to provide effective staff training and other accessibility options will be discussed.
Prerequisite: Disability 101 OR participation in Access A.R.T./New York programming prior to 2020 (cohorts, workshops, etc.).
Making Accessible Virtual Theatre
Tina Childress & Marilee Talkington
Wednesday, June 10, 2020, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Since gathering in physical spaces is not currently possible, many of us have taken to Zoom and other virtual platforms to continue our art-making. On paper, theatre in the digital realm seems in many ways to be more accessible, since people can participate from the comfort of their own homes without the physical barriers to accessibility that exist in many traditional theatre spaces. Despite this, and despite the opportunity for innovation that virtual theatre provides, disabled people are still being left behind. This workshop will be a discussion of best practices for captioning and ASL interpretation for your virtual performances, in addition to a discussion of ways to engage artists and audiences who are blind and low vision. We hope that this conversation can serve as a jumping off point for you to deepen your commitment to accessibility during this time and beyond.
Audience Development
From community engagement to social media strategies, this track is dedicated to helping you know your audience better and develop them into loyal fans of your work!
Intro to ASL-Interpreted Theatre
Beth Prevor
Thursday, February 6, 2020, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Have you ever thought about offering sign interpreted performances and welcoming Deaf audiences to your theaters? Where and how do I start? The questions can sometimes be overwhelming, but we’re here to tell you there are not as many barriers as you think.
This session will provide participants with the basic information and resources needed to design a successful sign language interpreted performance. Among areas we will cover: how to reach out and find qualified sign language interpreters/interpreter directors; how to develop a workable budget; how to determine production needs (audience seating, interpreter placement, lighting needs, among other issues); and most importantly––how to reach out to and market to the Deaf community.
Prerequisite: Disability 101 OR participation in Access A.R.T./New York programming prior to 2020 (cohorts, workshops, etc.).
Engaging Arts Partners
Donna Walker-Kuhne
Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
This workshop will closely examine and discuss specific strategies, opportunities and implementation of successful partnerships. The workshop will explore a variety of partnerships to include, cultural, religious, educational, civic, professional and community based organizations. Case studies will be shared along with recommendations on sustainability and growth of engaged partners.
Digital Accessibility Basics
Christina Trivigno
Wednesday, April 15, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
In this class, we’ll talk about website, email, and social media accessibility best practices. In addition to improving your SEO and helping all customers access your content with ease, complying with digital accessibility standards can also protect you from litigation, which is becoming more and more important -- the number of digital accessibility lawsuits tripled in 2018 alone! Making all of your digital content accessible will not only protect your organization from liability, but it will also make your digital presence more welcoming and inclusive.
Prerequisite: Disability 101 OR participation in Access A.R.T./New York programming prior to 2020 (cohorts, workshops, etc.).
Branding Through Social Media
Francisco Mendoza
Thursday, April 23, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Social media is hailed as an "indispensable" marketing tool for any company, especially non-profits, since it's a (mostly) free way to establish an online presence. However, recent changes to the algorithms that define how posts are delivered to users, combined with an excessive number of brands trying to reach consumers on these platforms, have put into question how much value social media can really add to any marketing plan. In this workshop, we'll tackle the principles of creating an organic "always-on" social media strategy, focusing on a) clearly conveying your company's mission, b) setting yourself apart from the competition and c) finding an audience to whom this content is relevant.
Boards
Whether you're new to building a board or in the midst of transitioning your board, these workshops are taught by consultants in the field ready to guide you through each phase.
Building Your Board from the Bottom Up
Amy Fiiore
Wednesday, March 11, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
As a 501c3 organization, you are only legally required to supply a minimum of 3 directors for your corporation who are over 18 years of age and who approve an annual budget for the organization. Most organizations grow and thrive by requiring more from these individuals and how they support your mission can vary drastically from company to company. In this workshop, we will discuss how to transition your board into a fundraising role by looking at the different types of boards and board members, how to identify individuals who can fit these types, the best ways to recruit them, and successful methods of board management, engagement and development once they join.
This workshop is suitable for board members, officers, and executive and managing directors.
Board Member Archetypes: What They Are, How to Work with Them
Amy Fiore
Wednesday, March 11, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
A Board Member has a complicated relationship with an organization because at the same time they are donors, volunteers, worker bees, and the governing body. It’s an odd dichotomy of doing work for you while you ultimately work for them. You expect your Board to invest time and money into your vision so finding ways to work with, mold, and cultivate each of them individually is a central part of a non-profit leader’s job. At their core, they are a group of people who care about and support your organization in myriad ways. This workshop will explore archetypes of Board memberships, the best ways to engage and recruit them, and successful methods of board engagement and development being utilized in nonprofit organizations from various sectors.
This workshop is suitable for executive and managing directors, development directors, and their staff members.
Leading Arts Boards
Nello McDaniel
Monday, April 27 2020, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
The Leading Arts Boards Workshop extends the concepts and approaches outlined in AAR’s Organizational Planning and Process, Part One, as applied to the board and community relationships. This workshop, based on AAR’s publication Leading Arts Boards, is appropriate not only for formally incorporated theatres but any group seeking to enlist appropriate help and resources from community partners. From defusing years of theory and myth, to defining roles and relationships, to recruitment and orientation of board members, to practical problem solving, the Leading Arts Boards Workshop is a must for theatre professionals seeking to build healthy, balanced and effective board relationships and practices for their organizations. This workshop is limited to two participants per company and board members are welcome to participate.
How to Enable Your Board to Fundraise Effectively
Amy Fiore
Monday, June 1 2020, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
The board knows you need fundraising help, committed to a give/get, and yet they struggle to make an ask? It is time reframe what you are asking them to do. This workshop will redefine your board’s role in the fundraising process, lessen the intimidation factor, and provide tips and tools to engage them in essential fundraising needs for your organization without ever asking for a dime. In turn, you will enlist their support in the cultivation process and be poised develop an even more substantial pipeline of donors than before.
Body Autonomy
Learn how to develop policies and procedures to report and prevent harassment and abuse.
UPStander De-Escalation Training
Center for Anti-Violence Education (CAE)
Wednesday, January 22, 2020, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
The Upstander workshop involves building mind/body awareness, awareness of gender and race issues when intervening, how to report hate incidents, and how individuals can become involved in a movement to end systemic hate and violence. The training is highly interactive and allows each participant to choose to practice strategies that match their personality and comfort level. We will practice assertive communication skills, some physical moves such as “head blocks” to protect yourself physically, and role play scenarios of harassment and Upstander intervention. Because so many people in our workshop are already survivors of harassment or violence, it is important to note that students are 100% in charge of their learning experience and may step out of activities at any time.
Body Autonomy + Personhood in the Audition and Rehearsal Room
Kate Lumpkin & Laura Brandel
Thursday, January 30, 2020, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
At this workshop, Director Laura Brandel and Casting Director Kate Lumpkin, CSA will discuss creating, establishing, and implementing autonomous protocols in the audition and rehearsal room. Attendees should leave the workshop feeling empowered, with a clearer understanding of how to cultivate healthy rehearsal and audition spaces as well as best workplace practices for actors, creatives, and administratives in 2020. Topics to be discussed include but are not limited to: Consent, social + political discussions in the workplace, constructing Breakdown language, identity, personhood, microaggressions, boundaries, and inclusion. We hope to create a non-judgmental educational environment that encourages questions and conversations that are often challenging to have -- but are essential to understanding how we publicly discuss and address personhood in a creative work environment.
Theatre of Consent: Working with an Intimacy Director
Brooke M. Haney
Thursday, March 26, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Considering hiring an Intimacy Director and curious how it will affect your artistic process? At this workshop, Intimacy Director Brooke M. Haney will walk you through the basics. Attendees should expect to walk away with a clearer understanding of the role and responsibilities of an Intimacy Director from the first production meeting, to the work in the rehearsal room, to tech. Additionally, we’ll address certification, three different ways an Intimacy Director can work with you, and what questions to ask in order to hire the right one for your project. Discover how this culture changing position can support your production artistically. Take intentional steps to build a safe and consent forward rehearsal process that empowers actors to do their best work, without fear.
Finance
Do budgets mystify you? Are you worried about being in compliance with IRS rules for non-profits? This track covers everything you need to know to keep your organization in a healthy financial standing.
Fundamentals of Financial Systems
Michael Naumann
Tuesday, February 4, 2020, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
You have a theatre company. You know you should be saving your receipts, but what else should you be doing? What files should you make? How does petty cash work? How much accounting do you need to know? What are the government's reporting requirements? This workshop will address these and other questions about managing the fiscal side of your company. Bring your own specific questions as well.
Recommended for companies with budgets under $500,000.
Form 990: A Walking Tour
Gary Eisenkraft, C.P.A.
Monday, February 10, 2020, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Form 990 is the essential document used by tax-exempt organizations for financial reporting. Both federal and state governments use this form as a compliance tool that discloses clear and evident proof by tax-exempt organizations that they are not required to pay taxes.
Every year, nearly 600,000 organizations file Form 990 with the IRS. This publicly available document is also used by state regulators, policymakers, the media, researchers, and contributors. It provides regulatory oversight and an opportunity to demonstrate transparency to those interested parties.
Topics covered in this workshop will include:
- When to file 990 vs. 990-EZ or 990N
- Governance Section
- Core form and schedules
- New special events and program reporting requirements
- Compensation reporting
- Public Support Test
- When to prepare your form 990 yourself and when to hire a professional preparer
- How to choose a preparer if you need one
This workshop is suitable for Executive Directors, Accounting and Bookkeeping Staff and Board Members. We will cover organizations with budgets of $5,000 to $5 million. You are invited to bring along your 990 for questions and discussion.
IRS Receipt Requirements for All Gifts and In-Kind Contributions
Gary Eisenkraft, C.P.A.
Tuesday, February 18, 2020, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
The IRS requires organizations to recognize in – kind contributions for 990 purposes. They also have specific requirements for receipts given to contributors. There are also special forms and appraisals that must be filed in certain situations. Penalties can be high for non – compliance and your contributors could be hurt, as well.
This workshop will cover IRS compliance for in kind and cash contributions. We will also discuss reporting of in – kind contributions on CPA prepared and audited financial statements. Recognition is not always the same for financial statement and tax purposes. We’ll discuss the similarities and differences for tax and financial statement reporting.
Quickbooks: The Basics
Heather Allen
Monday, March 30, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Are you ready to move on to the next step in bookkeeping with your theatre company but don’t know where to begin? This workshop will cover everything from how to acquire QuickBooks and open a new company file, to the inner workings of writing checks, making deposits and reconciling with your bank statement. This course will address all of your most basic how-to questions.
Quickbooks: Advanced
Heather Allen
Monday, April 20, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
You’ve been using QuickBooks for your company but now what? With this advanced QuickBooks workshop, learn how to maximize QuickBooks as a management tool for your company. This course will show you how to generate reports for grant support, manage your budgeting versus your actuals, generate year-end 1099s and much more. This workshop is appropriate for artists and organizations who have taken Quickbooks Basics or are looking to expand their knowledge on Quickbooks.
Budgeting Your Values
Roberta Pereira
Thursday, May 28, 2020, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
This hands-on workshop will focus on the challenges and opportunities of centering your values (whatever those may be!) when creating a production budget. No budgeting experience is necessary and space is limited!
A.R.T./New York member companies are welcome and encouraged to send directors, stage managers, and other independent artists with whom they frequently work to attend this workshop, as long as that person has an individual profile with A.R.T./New York. If you are unsure how to create a profile for someone so that they can register for this workshop, please reach out to Membership Coordinator Jeannely Lopez at [email protected].
Fundraising
The essentials of fundraising with individual donors from crowdfunding to special events and everything in-between!
Special Events
Karin Schall
Thursday, January 9, 2020, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Planning a benefit or special event? Thinking about planning a benefit or special event? This three-hour intensive class will help you shape your benefit—from choosing the right type of event for your company, creating a budget, working with your board and company members, soliciting in-kind donations, writing up important timelines, to avoiding day-of disasters and sending out thank you letters. We’ll compare “friend-raising” events to fundraising events.
This is specially created for small theater companies with a budget under $100,000 and few, if any, full-time staff members. You should be planning on having a special event in the next 12 months. Please bring any invites or materials from your last event if you have it.
Getting Started with Google Ad Grants
Christina Trivigno
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Non-profits can apply for the Google Ad Grant, which offers you up to $10,000 a month in FREE text ads on the Google search platform. In this class, we’ll walk through the application process, the milestones you need to reach to keep the grant, discuss what features are and aren’t available to grantees, and talk best practices for success.
Grantwriting
Learn the fundamentals of writing competitive grants for foundations and funders in the arts!
Foundations 101: Part 2
Melissa Sandor & Melissa Dognazzi
Wednesday, February 19, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
So you’ve been invited to apply. Now what? This session will go step by step through the process of writing a grant narrative, from determining what to apply for to proofing and review to choosing what attachments to include. We will also discuss best practices for grant reporting.
Foundations 101: Part 3
Corinne Woods
Wednesday, February 26, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Your budget tells a story about your organization just as much as your narrative does, and for many funders it is the most important element of the application. In this session we will look at budget templates for grant applications, going step by step through the process of building a project budget, as well as crafting an institutional budget for an application, and best practices for how to share your financials with a potential funder.
Foundations 101: Part 1
Melissa Sandor
Thursday, March 12, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
This workshop will focus on how to identify and research foundation prospects and getting your foot in the door with a new donor. Whether you are stuck in a rut with the same circle of supporters or you are just starting out as a grant writer, this session is geared towards expanding your list of prospects and increasing your response rate.
This workshop is part of a 3-part series. While not required, participants are encouraged to take all three workshops. This workshop is best for companies with budget sizes over 100,000 but under 2.5 million. 501 (c) 3 status is strongly encouraged. This workshop does not focus on corporate sponsorship or government funding.
Grantwriting for the Conscious Creative: Part 1
Kaisha Johnson
Monday, May 4, 2020, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Successful grantwriting is largely predicated on one's ability to craft a clear and cogent request for support. But the most compelling proposals are those that can identify and eloquently illuminate the shared values of the grantseeker and the grantmaker. So how do we articulate and maintain the integrity of our work in a world whose politics and policies are constantly changing? Finding a singular voice that does not bend or shift depending on the whims of the field or a potential funder's offering is key. Remaining steadfast to the mission, vision, and values of the work is critical. In addition to understanding the essential elements needed to lay the foundation for a compelling request, workshop participants will begin to think critically about the necessity of centering values and aligning our collective visions to create the world we want to see.
Grantwriting for the Conscious Creative is one workshop being held over the course of two sessions. Participants must register for both Part 1 and Part 2 if they wish to attend this workshop.
Grantwriting for the Conscious Creative: Part 2
Kaisha Johnson
Wednesday, May 6, 2020, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Succesful grantwriting is largely predicated on one's ability to craft a clear and cogent request for support. But the most compelling proposals are those that can identify and eloquently illuminate the shared values of the grantseeker and the grantmaker. So how do we articulate and maintain the integrity of our work in a world whose politics and policies are constantly changing? Finding a singular voice that does not bend or shift depending on the whims of the field or a potential funder's offering is key. Remaining steadfast to the mission, vision, and values of the work is critical. In addition to understanding the essential elements needed to lay the foundation for a compelling request, workshop participants will begin to think critically about the necessity of centering values and aligning our collective visions to create the world we want to see.
Grantwriting for the Conscious Creative is one workshop being held over the course of two sessions. Participants must register for both Part 1 and Part 2 if they wish to attend this workshop.
Organizational Management
These workshops are designed to teach best practices for producing, general management, and office systems.
Organizational Planning & Process: Part 1
Anne Dunning
Wednesday, January 15, 2020, 4:00pm - 8:00pm
This workshop is the first in a three-part series comprised of two group workshops and a one-on-one consulting session for each participant theatre. This workshop provides critical conceptual and practical building blocks for theatres developing organizational structures that fully reflect and support the work they are developing and producing. Topics examined include realities faced by small theatres today; key defining and guiding values and processes of each theatre's organization and culture based on its own unique qualities; and, insights into broad organizational application of these unique qualities. Participants are given an assignment to write an Organization Profile for review in Part Two.
The Organizational Planning and Process series is for member theatres operating under $500,000. Limited to two staff members per company. Completion of both parts of Organizational Planning and Process is required to be eligible to apply for the Nancy Quinn Fund grant program.
Fundamentals of Financial Systems
Michael Naumann
Tuesday, February 4, 2020, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
You have a theatre company. You know you should be saving your receipts, but what else should you be doing? What files should you make? How does petty cash work? How much accounting do you need to know? What are the government's reporting requirements? This workshop will address these and other questions about managing the fiscal side of your company. Bring your own specific questions as well.
Recommended for companies with budgets under $500,000.
Your Personnel: Are they Contractors or Employees?
Gary Eisenkraft, C.P.A.
Wednesday, February 5, 2020, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
What’s the difference between an employee and an independent contractor? What do you need to know when hiring and paying someone to work for your organization? If you fail to correctly classify people who work for you, you may be liable for significant penalties for unpaid withholding and Social Security taxes as well as State and Federal unemployment insurance contributions, disability, and workers' compensation. In this workshop, we’ll review the rules, and talk about how they affect you. We’ll go over Internal Revenue Service rules and guidelines for worker classification, Department of Labor rules and guidelines for worker classification, the interaction between IRS and DOL, union rules, IRS and DOL audits, remedial action, and how worker classification affects workers’ compensation insurance.
Organizational Planning & Process: Part 2
Anne Dunning & Nello McDaniel
Thursday, February 13, 2020, 4:00pm - 7:00pm
This workshop is the second in the three-part Organizational Planning and Process (OP&P) series and focuses on reviewing and discussing the Organization Profile writing assignment of from Part One. The draft work of each participant theatre is reviewed and discussed in small group breakout sessions led by Anne and Nello. These review and discussion sessions provide each theatre with helpful feedback and insights toward greater clarity in their Organization Profiles from colleagues and the AAR consultants. Prerequisite for this workshop is attendance in the OP & P Part One and completion of the Organization Profile assignment.
Participation is limited to two staff members per company. Completion of both parts of Organizational Planning and Process is required to be eligible to apply for the Nancy Quinn Fund grant program. Participants who complete OP & P Workshops One and Two are eligible to have a 90-minute one-on-one session with either Nello or Anne. The one-on-one sessions are scheduled individually by AAR following the Part Two workshop.
Budgeting and Cash Flow
Michael Naumann
Tuesday, February 25, 2020, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
The first part of the workshop will lead you step-by-step through the budgeting process and will focus on budgeting production expenses as well as overhead administrative costs.
The second part of the workshop will give you tools and methods to manage your money so that cash is available when bills need to be paid. In addition, you will learn how to assess and handle periods of potential cash-flow shortage. There will be a 30 minute one-on-one follow-up session. Sign up sheets will be available at the workshop.
Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Financial Systems. Recommended for companies with budgets up to $500,000.
Spreadsheet Basics
Corinne Woods
Thursday, February 27, 2020, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Spreadsheet programs like Excel can be incredibly useful tools, but if you don't know the basics they can be incredibly frustrating. Learn how to make spreadsheet programs like Excel do some of the work for you! This workshop will cover what a spreadsheet can be used for, how to set up spreadsheets so they are useful to you, the importance of data, how to format and sort a spreadsheet, and using basic formulas and functions. We'll review some tips and tricks for how to get the most out of your spreadsheet program, and why you should. While this class will specifically be looking at and working on Excel, the basics covered here are also applicable to other spreadsheet programs like Google Sheets.
Workshop participants should bring their laptops so they can follow along. A.R.T./New York has a number of laptops available for workshop attendees who need them. Please reach out to Kirsten Sweeney in advance to reserve an A.R.T./New York laptop.
For a deeper dive into Excel functionality, check out Advanced Topics in Excel.
Practical and Meaningful Assessment for the Arts
Anne Dunning
Wednesday, March 4, 2020, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Are you struggling with demands for evaluation and metrics? Do you want to better understand what is working and what is not working for your organization and track progress towards your goals? ARTS Action Research has been developing assessment systems with arts organizations that reflect the values of the sector and are practical for smaller capacity organizations to implement. In this workshop, we will introduce assessment strategies and techniques that small to mid-sized organizations can integrate into their planning and organizational activities. We consider quantitative and qualitative assessment and the value of using storytelling to convey meaning and impact. Participants will learn how to use assessment tools, create assessment plans, add new assessment practices to their work and analyze and integrate data to support learning and change.
Breaking Through: Taking Your Organization to the Next Level
Edward McKeaney
Monday, March 23, 2020, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Arts Organizations go through a series of developmental steps as they work to become more established in the field. In Step 1, the company is formed and the vast majority of the administrative and producorial work is done by volunteers committed to the mission. Step 2 is defined by more regular artistic output coupled with increased earned and contributed income generation; non-profit status and a board of directors can be formed, and perhaps a paid staff member is hired.
This Workshop is designed for those companies who would like to get to Step 3. Skills and Tactics discussed in this Workshop include: Honing your Mission and unique organizational profile; Defining and enhancing your individual donor base; Streamlining your Financial reporting; Developing a strong and effective Board of Directors; and, Designing interconnected Marketing and Box Office plans to maximize your earned income. Learn best practices employed by established arts organizations that can lead to stability and organic growth, proactivity and longevity.
Practical and Meaningful Assessment for the Arts
Anne Dunning
Tuesday, March 31, 2020, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Are you struggling with demands for evaluation and metrics? Do you want to better understand what is working and what is not working for your organization and track progress towards your goals? ARTS Action Research has been developing assessment systems with arts organizations that reflect the values of the sector and are practical for smaller capacity organizations to implement. In this workshop, we will introduce assessment strategies and techniques that small to mid-sized organizations can integrate into their planning and organizational activities. We consider quantitative and qualitative assessment and the value of using storytelling to convey meaning and impact. Participants will learn how to use assessment tools, create assessment plans, add new assessment practices to their work and analyze and integrate data to support learning and change.
Intro to Non-Profit Producing
Lucy Jackson
Wednesday, April 1, 2020, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
What is a Producer? Do you need one? Is it You?
This workshop will provide a broad overview of the steps needed to get your show off the ground, from planning through performance. We'll use real-life examples of the day-to-day business of production to explore multiple producing models to get your work up and running at any level. Evaluating long and short-terms goals, we'll step through the production process, including expense budgeting, an intro to basic fundraising and income streams, contracting and negotiation, the practical skills of managing creative, technical and production teams, box office, marketing and PR and generally setting yourself up for success.
Advanced Topics in Excel
Corinne Woods
Thursday, April 9, 2020, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
So you know your cells from your workbooks, now let's really have fun! We will look at Conditional Formatting (the what and the how), more formulas, and manipulating a data set. This class will be tailored to the needs of the participants, and attendees are invited to submit potential topics or questions they'd like addressed in advance.
Workshop participants should bring their laptops so they can follow along. A.R.T./New York has a number of laptops available for workshop attendees who need them; please reach out to Kirsten Sweeney in advance to reserve an A.R.T./New York laptop.
For an introductory look at Excel, check out Spreadsheet Basics.
Embracing Change within Your Organization through Experiments
Rachel Grossman
Monday, May 11, 2020, 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Change is the one constant we can truly count on. Yet most non-profit management is based in a combination of maintaining unquestioned routines, copy-and-pasting best practices, and, very often, sustaining personal comfort. Even when an organization wants to make change, these (among other) habits get in the way. Start navigating change as part of the journey by assuming an experimental mindset and working scrappy. Every size of organization can benefit from discovering how they can work and learn through scrappy experiments—creative, low tech, high impact, learning-focused activities. So together let’s: identify habits and culture antithetical to working nimbly; learn a process for identifying areas of focus, prototyping, evaluating, and apply learnings; engage in self-reflection and intimate dialogues to discern areas of personal and organizational growth. Everyone will leave with a list of resources, including example experiments to execute the next workday.
Budgeting Your Values
Roberta Pereira
Thursday, May 28, 2020, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
This hands-on workshop will focus on the challenges and opportunities of centering your values (whatever those may be!) when creating a production budget. No budgeting experience is necessary and space is limited!
A.R.T./New York member companies are welcome and encouraged to send directors, stage managers, and other independent artists with whom they frequently work to attend this workshop, as long as that person has an individual profile with A.R.T./New York. If you are unsure how to create a profile for someone so that they can register for this workshop, please reach out to Membership Coordinator Jeannely Lopez at [email protected].
Organizational Planning & Process: Part 1
Nello McDaniel
Tuesday, June 2, 2020, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
This workshop is the first in a three-part series comprised of two group workshops and a one-on-one consulting session for each participant theatre. This workshop provides critical conceptual and practical building blocks for theatres developing organizational structures that fully reflect and support the work they are developing and producing. Topics examined include realities faced by small theatres today; key defining and guiding values and processes of each theatre's organization and culture based on its own unique qualities; and, insights into broad organizational application of these unique qualities. Participants are given an assignment to write an Organization Profile for review in Part Two.
The Organizational Planning and Process series is for member theatres operating under $500,000. Limited to two staff members per company. Completion of both parts of Organizational Planning and Process is required to be eligible to apply for the Nancy Quinn Fund grant program.
Organizational Planning & Process: Part 2
Anne Dunning & Nello McDaniel
Tuesday, June 30, 2020, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
This workshop is the second in the three-part Organizational Planning and Process (OP&P) series and focuses on reviewing and discussing the Organization Profile writing assignment of from Part One. The draft work of each participant theatre is reviewed and discussed in small group breakout sessions led by Anne and Nello. These review and discussion sessions provide each theatre with helpful feedback and insights toward greater clarity in their Organization Profiles from colleagues and the AAR consultants. Prerequisite for this workshop is attendance in the OP & P Part One and completion of the Organization Profile assignment.
Participation is limited to two staff members per company. Completion of both parts of Organizational Planning and Process is required to be eligible to apply for the Nancy Quinn Fund grant program. Participants who complete OP & P Workshops One and Two are eligible to have a 90-minute one-on-one session with either Nello or Anne. The one-on-one sessions are scheduled individually by AAR following the Part Two workshop.
Online Workshops
If you want to attend a workshop but can't make it in person, check to see if there is a livestream available! These workshops can be joined remotely via Zoom.
Your Personnel: Are they Contractors or Employees?
Gary Eisenkraft, C.P.A.
Wednesday, February 5, 2020, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
What’s the difference between an employee and an independent contractor? What do you need to know when hiring and paying someone to work for your organization? If you fail to correctly classify people who work for you, you may be liable for significant penalties for unpaid withholding and Social Security taxes as well as State and Federal unemployment insurance contributions, disability, and workers' compensation. In this workshop, we’ll review the rules, and talk about how they affect you. We’ll go over Internal Revenue Service rules and guidelines for worker classification, Department of Labor rules and guidelines for worker classification, the interaction between IRS and DOL, union rules, IRS and DOL audits, remedial action, and how worker classification affects workers’ compensation insurance.
Form 990: A Walking Tour
Gary Eisenkraft, C.P.A.
Monday, February 10, 2020, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Form 990 is the essential document used by tax-exempt organizations for financial reporting. Both federal and state governments use this form as a compliance tool that discloses clear and evident proof by tax-exempt organizations that they are not required to pay taxes.
Every year, nearly 600,000 organizations file Form 990 with the IRS. This publicly available document is also used by state regulators, policymakers, the media, researchers, and contributors. It provides regulatory oversight and an opportunity to demonstrate transparency to those interested parties.
Topics covered in this workshop will include:
- When to file 990 vs. 990-EZ or 990N
- Governance Section
- Core form and schedules
- New special events and program reporting requirements
- Compensation reporting
- Public Support Test
- When to prepare your form 990 yourself and when to hire a professional preparer
- How to choose a preparer if you need one
This workshop is suitable for Executive Directors, Accounting and Bookkeeping Staff and Board Members. We will cover organizations with budgets of $5,000 to $5 million. You are invited to bring along your 990 for questions and discussion.
IRS Receipt Requirements for All Gifts and In-Kind Contributions
Gary Eisenkraft, C.P.A.
Tuesday, February 18, 2020, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
The IRS requires organizations to recognize in – kind contributions for 990 purposes. They also have specific requirements for receipts given to contributors. There are also special forms and appraisals that must be filed in certain situations. Penalties can be high for non – compliance and your contributors could be hurt, as well.
This workshop will cover IRS compliance for in kind and cash contributions. We will also discuss reporting of in – kind contributions on CPA prepared and audited financial statements. Recognition is not always the same for financial statement and tax purposes. We’ll discuss the similarities and differences for tax and financial statement reporting.
Foundations 101: Part 2
Melissa Sandor & Melissa Dognazzi
Wednesday, February 19, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
So you’ve been invited to apply. Now what? This session will go step by step through the process of writing a grant narrative, from determining what to apply for to proofing and review to choosing what attachments to include. We will also discuss best practices for grant reporting.
Foundations 101: Part 3
Corinne Woods
Wednesday, February 26, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Your budget tells a story about your organization just as much as your narrative does, and for many funders it is the most important element of the application. In this session we will look at budget templates for grant applications, going step by step through the process of building a project budget, as well as crafting an institutional budget for an application, and best practices for how to share your financials with a potential funder.
Disability 101
Beth Prevor
Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
The arts are for everyone, and everyone is different. How we understand and respect each others’ difference is a priority in the arts community. We often discuss our diversity by categories such as race, age, gender, social-economic status, sexual orientation, etc. More often than not disability is the ‘etc’ on the diversity continuum. It’s hidden, it’s not to be talked about or discussed. Don’t look, don’t say the wrong thing. But it’s OK to say disability, and it’s OK to ask questions. I’m disabled, and I’m here to talk about disability.
This session will explore some misconceptions, assumptions, and fears we have about disability. If we want to include people with disabilities at our arts organizations, then we need to better understand the barriers they encounter, the attitudes they face, and other issues that prevent their full participation. This session will consider disability from a community/multi-cultural perspective, providing suggestions on how to create relationships with different segments of the disability community and gain a better understanding of how to include people with disability in our arts organizations. The goal is to provide participants with an open forum for discussion to ask questions about disability, language, and fears by creating a safe environment to have an open and honest conversation about disability.
Fundamentals of Social Media and Online Advertising
Christina Trivigno
Thursday, March 5, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Are you making the most of your social media advertising? In this class, we'll focus on Facebook & Instagram advertising while briefly touching upon Twitter and Google ads. We'll make the argument for a bigger digital investment, learn tracking, explore Business Manager, and discuss best practices, tools for productivity, success metrics, and more. Bring a laptop and be ready to follow along!
Foundations 101: Part 1
Melissa Sandor
Thursday, March 12, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
This workshop will focus on how to identify and research foundation prospects and getting your foot in the door with a new donor. Whether you are stuck in a rut with the same circle of supporters or you are just starting out as a grant writer, this session is geared towards expanding your list of prospects and increasing your response rate.
This workshop is part of a 3-part series. While not required, participants are encouraged to take all three workshops. This workshop is best for companies with budget sizes over 100,000 but under 2.5 million. 501 (c) 3 status is strongly encouraged. This workshop does not focus on corporate sponsorship or government funding.
Producing Touring Engagements
Ariana Smart Truman
Thursday, March 19, 2020, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
This workshop will help you think through the A to Zs of touring a theatrical production, and will be of special benefit and interest to artist-led or ensemble-based nonprofit companies who have minimal to no experience with having their work presented outside of New York, and who have self-produced or co-produced their work in New York. We will explore how to rationally and efficiently set your production up to be ready to tour; how to budget for touring; how to determine what you need from tour presenters in terms of fee and project support; how you can identify the kinds of resources you need to make touring a sustainable and rewarding earned income stream; and how to think strategically about the intangible as well as tangible benefits to your organization. We will investigate strategies for approaching and networking with presenters and making your production appealing not just for its artistic merits, but also from logistical and budgetary perspectives. We will walk through the brass tacks of negotiating a touring contract, planning the logistics, and setting benchmarks to determine what you should manage and what you should expect your presenter to manage for you. Finally, we will touch on how to make the most of any touring engagement.
Breaking Through: Taking Your Organization to the Next Level
Edward McKeaney
Monday, March 23, 2020, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Arts Organizations go through a series of developmental steps as they work to become more established in the field. In Step 1, the company is formed and the vast majority of the administrative and producorial work is done by volunteers committed to the mission. Step 2 is defined by more regular artistic output coupled with increased earned and contributed income generation; non-profit status and a board of directors can be formed, and perhaps a paid staff member is hired.
This Workshop is designed for those companies who would like to get to Step 3. Skills and Tactics discussed in this Workshop include: Honing your Mission and unique organizational profile; Defining and enhancing your individual donor base; Streamlining your Financial reporting; Developing a strong and effective Board of Directors; and, Designing interconnected Marketing and Box Office plans to maximize your earned income. Learn best practices employed by established arts organizations that can lead to stability and organic growth, proactivity and longevity.
Getting Started with Google Ad Grants
Christina Trivigno
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Non-profits can apply for the Google Ad Grant, which offers you up to $10,000 a month in FREE text ads on the Google search platform. In this class, we’ll walk through the application process, the milestones you need to reach to keep the grant, discuss what features are and aren’t available to grantees, and talk best practices for success.
Intro to Non-Profit Producing
Lucy Jackson
Wednesday, April 1, 2020, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
What is a Producer? Do you need one? Is it You?
This workshop will provide a broad overview of the steps needed to get your show off the ground, from planning through performance. We'll use real-life examples of the day-to-day business of production to explore multiple producing models to get your work up and running at any level. Evaluating long and short-terms goals, we'll step through the production process, including expense budgeting, an intro to basic fundraising and income streams, contracting and negotiation, the practical skills of managing creative, technical and production teams, box office, marketing and PR and generally setting yourself up for success.
Digital Accessibility Basics
Christina Trivigno
Wednesday, April 15, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
In this class, we’ll talk about website, email, and social media accessibility best practices. In addition to improving your SEO and helping all customers access your content with ease, complying with digital accessibility standards can also protect you from litigation, which is becoming more and more important -- the number of digital accessibility lawsuits tripled in 2018 alone! Making all of your digital content accessible will not only protect your organization from liability, but it will also make your digital presence more welcoming and inclusive.
Prerequisite: Disability 101 OR participation in Access A.R.T./New York programming prior to 2020 (cohorts, workshops, etc.).
Branding Through Social Media
Francisco Mendoza
Thursday, April 23, 2020, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Social media is hailed as an "indispensable" marketing tool for any company, especially non-profits, since it's a (mostly) free way to establish an online presence. However, recent changes to the algorithms that define how posts are delivered to users, combined with an excessive number of brands trying to reach consumers on these platforms, have put into question how much value social media can really add to any marketing plan. In this workshop, we'll tackle the principles of creating an organic "always-on" social media strategy, focusing on a) clearly conveying your company's mission, b) setting yourself apart from the competition and c) finding an audience to whom this content is relevant.
Embracing Change within Your Organization through Experiments
Rachel Grossman
Monday, May 11, 2020, 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Change is the one constant we can truly count on. Yet most non-profit management is based in a combination of maintaining unquestioned routines, copy-and-pasting best practices, and, very often, sustaining personal comfort. Even when an organization wants to make change, these (among other) habits get in the way. Start navigating change as part of the journey by assuming an experimental mindset and working scrappy. Every size of organization can benefit from discovering how they can work and learn through scrappy experiments—creative, low tech, high impact, learning-focused activities. So together let’s: identify habits and culture antithetical to working nimbly; learn a process for identifying areas of focus, prototyping, evaluating, and apply learnings; engage in self-reflection and intimate dialogues to discern areas of personal and organizational growth. Everyone will leave with a list of resources, including example experiments to execute the next workday.
Budgeting Your Values
Roberta Pereira
Thursday, May 28, 2020, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
This hands-on workshop will focus on the challenges and opportunities of centering your values (whatever those may be!) when creating a production budget. No budgeting experience is necessary and space is limited!
A.R.T./New York member companies are welcome and encouraged to send directors, stage managers, and other independent artists with whom they frequently work to attend this workshop, as long as that person has an individual profile with A.R.T./New York. If you are unsure how to create a profile for someone so that they can register for this workshop, please reach out to Membership Coordinator Jeannely Lopez at [email protected].
How to Enable Your Board to Fundraise Effectively
Amy Fiore
Monday, June 1 2020, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
The board knows you need fundraising help, committed to a give/get, and yet they struggle to make an ask? It is time reframe what you are asking them to do. This workshop will redefine your board’s role in the fundraising process, lessen the intimidation factor, and provide tips and tools to engage them in essential fundraising needs for your organization without ever asking for a dime. In turn, you will enlist their support in the cultivation process and be poised develop an even more substantial pipeline of donors than before.
Organizational Planning & Process: Part 1
Nello McDaniel
Tuesday, June 2, 2020, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
This workshop is the first in a three-part series comprised of two group workshops and a one-on-one consulting session for each participant theatre. This workshop provides critical conceptual and practical building blocks for theatres developing organizational structures that fully reflect and support the work they are developing and producing. Topics examined include realities faced by small theatres today; key defining and guiding values and processes of each theatre's organization and culture based on its own unique qualities; and, insights into broad organizational application of these unique qualities. Participants are given an assignment to write an Organization Profile for review in Part Two.
The Organizational Planning and Process series is for member theatres operating under $500,000. Limited to two staff members per company. Completion of both parts of Organizational Planning and Process is required to be eligible to apply for the Nancy Quinn Fund grant program.
Making Accessible Virtual Theatre
Tina Childress & Marilee Talkington
Wednesday, June 10, 2020, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Since gathering in physical spaces is not currently possible, many of us have taken to Zoom and other virtual platforms to continue our art-making. On paper, theatre in the digital realm seems in many ways to be more accessible, since people can participate from the comfort of their own homes without the physical barriers to accessibility that exist in many traditional theatre spaces. Despite this, and despite the opportunity for innovation that virtual theatre provides, disabled people are still being left behind. This workshop will be a discussion of best practices for captioning and ASL interpretation for your virtual performances, in addition to a discussion of ways to engage artists and audiences who are blind and low vision. We hope that this conversation can serve as a jumping off point for you to deepen your commitment to accessibility during this time and beyond.
Organizational Planning & Process: Part 2
Anne Dunning & Nello McDaniel
Tuesday, June 30, 2020, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
This workshop is the second in the three-part Organizational Planning and Process (OP&P) series and focuses on reviewing and discussing the Organization Profile writing assignment of from Part One. The draft work of each participant theatre is reviewed and discussed in small group breakout sessions led by Anne and Nello. These review and discussion sessions provide each theatre with helpful feedback and insights toward greater clarity in their Organization Profiles from colleagues and the AAR consultants. Prerequisite for this workshop is attendance in the OP & P Part One and completion of the Organization Profile assignment.
Participation is limited to two staff members per company. Completion of both parts of Organizational Planning and Process is required to be eligible to apply for the Nancy Quinn Fund grant program. Participants who complete OP & P Workshops One and Two are eligible to have a 90-minute one-on-one session with either Nello or Anne. The one-on-one sessions are scheduled individually by AAR following the Part Two workshop.
View the full event calendar below.
A.R.T./New York welcomes people with all abilities to attend our workshops and roundtables. Interpretation services are available by request which must be made at least 3 business days before the event. For accessibility information, special circumstances, or other accommodations, please contact Kirsten Sweeney at [email protected].
The Nancy Quinn Technical Assistance Program is made possible in part by generous funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York State Council on the Arts, and New York State Assembly Member Deborah Glick.
Header: Tectonic Theater Project's production of Carmen. Photo by Stan Borough.