Dear All,
This is life as we know it, I guess.
I went to an amazing concert presented by American Bach Soloists a couple of weeks ago, a program featuring Pergolesi and Handel duets sung by soprano Mary Wilson and countertenor Ian Howell. Exquisitely beautiful performances! The review in San Francisco Classical Voice opened this way: "There are moments when a musical performance is so carefully conceived or so sublimely delivered that all you can do is surrender to the beauty of it and express gratitude for being alive." That was so it: grateful to be alive.
Two days later I'm having coffee with a friend, director of a midsized arts organization, and all we can talk about are lay-offs, budget cuts, lost funding, companies going under, leaseholder obligations, oy vey!
Best of times, worst of times. Let's hope Van Jones is right: Sometimes a breakdown can lead to a breakthrough.
Hang in there, everybody. Let's just be grateful to be alive.
Best,
10 Affordable Work Spaces for Lease at Quinn Associates
--Option to lease separately or together--
Includes: plug & play workstations - natural light - DSL access - central location
Click here for a PDF with complete description.
NEW Services at Quinn Associates!
Quinn Associates is pleased to offer several new arts administration services to the performing arts community in addition to its standard institutional fundraising services. Remember, all services begin with a FREE consultation. Click on the service for more information.
5. Individual Donation Services
Click here for a PDF with a complete description.
What's on Deck This Month
Arts Management Institute:
Hey, we're back with Arts Management Institute course work at long last, and for our spring semester we're opening with a special class for individual artists called "Writing Your Bio and Artist Statement." Oh, the shudders of dread that this topic causes among artists out there, but believe us, this class will change all that. We're doing it in two three-hour segments (May 20 & 27, from 6:30-9:30 in the QA conference room), so that participants can do a wee bit o' writing on their own in between classes. Taught by Nancy (wielding her background in creative writing and 25 years in the arts management biz like a freshly sharpened pair of chef's knives), this class is for just about any individual artist facing "bio/statement block." Space is limited to 12 students so that means lots of personal attention. Don't miss it! Only $150 - a major bargain for what you'll get out of it! Call Maria at (415) 621-3186, ext. 109 to reserve your spot.
Did You Know?
Stay in the 'know' about fundraising! Become a member of Quinn Associates to gain access to our comprehensive Funder Deadline Calendar and more!
Tip of the Month
For a sector defined by its lack of revenue ("nonprofit"), we sure do talk about money a lot with our audiences--as in fundraising dollars, grants, special event tickets and so on. But what four-letter word do supporters want to hear? What model should you incorporate into your organization's culture to better connect with supporters and potential supporters? Here's a hint: it starts with the letter "F." Click here (http://www.fundraising123.org/article/four-letter-word-wont-get-you-trouble-supporters) to find out and get this month's tips at Network for Good - and thanks for the very scintillating topic, NFG!
Announcements and Alerts:
Check out the new Creative Capacity Fund Scholarships! Starting in March 2009, this program will provide professional development scholarships for San Francisco artists and arts administrators.
Free or Darn Near Free Software!
Palo Alto Software has teamed up with TechSoup Stock to offer its Business Plan Pro Standard Edition and Business Plan Pro Social Enterprise Edition software to eligible organizations. Organizations can use Business Plan Pro Standard Edition to create business plans or funding plans for their own organizations or use Business Plan Pro Social Enterprise Edition to create a plan for earned income ventures or social enterprises to provide financial support for their main missions. Palo Alto Software offers both donated and discounted products. Organizations with annual operating budgets of $50,000 or less may request one of the donated products within a fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). Organizations with annual budgets greater than $50,000, and organizations that have received their donation for the year, may obtain any number of copies of the discounted products at an administrative fee substantially lower than the retail price. Go to http://www.techsoup.org/stock/Category.asp?catalog_name=TechSoupMain&category_name=Palo%20Alto%20Software&Page=1&visit=1 for more info, and thanks ever so to Tech Soup and Palo Alto Software!
Thanks, Tech Soup! You’re our hero!
World Dance Day!
On the 29th of April, as every year since 1982, World Dance Day will be celebrated across the globe by the international community of dancers and dance enthusiasts. Presented by the International Dance Council CID (Conseil International de la Danse) for individuals involved in the wider field of dance (teachers, choreographers, group leaders, journalists, researchers, associations, suppliers, organizations etc.), the main purpose of Dance Day is to attract the attention of the wider public to the art of dance. Special emphasis is given to addressing a "new" public, people who do not follow dance events during the course of the year. Dance Day events may be special performances, open-door courses, public rehearsals, lectures, exhibitions, articles in newspapers and magazines, dance evenings, radio and TV programs, visits, street shows etc. The International Dance Council CID is the official umbrella organization for all forms of dance in all countries of the world. CID is recognized by UNESCO, national and local governments, international organizations, and institutions. For more information about CID and World Dance Day, go to the website: www.cid-unesco.org.
Email Blast Webinar!
The Email Marketing Model offered by the Gilbert Center (as in Michael Gilbert, non-profit whiz) is a rich framework for cultivating relationships with stakeholders by taking advantage of the inherent two-way nature of email communication. And yet, the number one phrase used for describing how most organizations apply the model is: The Email Blast. Taking that metaphor to its natural conclusion, doesn't a blast seem like the opposite of cultivation? A landscape that's been blasted is one that is barren and full of holes, not one that is green and productive. But it doesn't have to be that way. Despite the hype of other media, email is still the single most powerful online communication tool we have. This workshop will help you avoid the destructive model of the Email Blast and enable you to take full advantage of the power of email. "Beyond the Email Blast: Tapping the Full Power of Email Marketing" will be held on May 13th, 2009, from 12:15 to 1:45 pm, Pacific Time. For more information about the content and deliverables of this seminar, and the technical requirements for attending, please follow this link: http://news.gilbert.org/clickThru/redir/6984/10576/rms. And there's a new on-demand option that allows you to attend even if the Gilbert Center's schedule doesn't work for you. Thanks, as always, Michael!
