[draft in progress]
The tight economic climate that began in 2008 has taken a relationship toll on small arts concerns – whether they be the careers of individual artists, the stability of arts and cultural organizations, or the opportunities for creative small businesses. When the marketplace requires more hustle (or more bureaucractic acquiescence) the ability for creative professionals to apply their mastery in higher order management – public communications, partnership negotiation, and meaningful program delivery – gets squeezed. Conversations get tight, worries and distractions become a tax on productivity. In the worst circumstances, organizations with mutual aims are pitted against each other for resources. That may be hyperbolic, more often they just pass in the night, missing opportunity to work together to build the equity and capacity of their shared space.
Alignment around partnerships, in particular, is a time-consuming task. Accountable people need to meet and pick through questions that have personal, moral, and legal consequences. Funding opportunities have to be cultivated in pace with capacity to deliver. The exigencies of life have to be weathered in the meantime. All made worse when personal resources are stretched too.
[draft in progress]
Anne L'Ecuyer 