The topic of innovation is often discussed here at Passe Muraille. Obviously, innovation in art creation is a good and necessary thing, but bears risks as we move into uncharted territory. However, more recently there has been much discussion around innovation in models of theatre administration. For the sector it seems like the models are broken. The government funds aren’t increasing and box office is volatile at best. After 2 seasons in which we’ve had to cancel shows due to serious, life threatening illnesses, we know better then most the volatility of putting your eggs in the box office basket!
So, what to do? We are fighting hard here to not become overwhelmed by the challenges of producing theatre, but to continue to seek for new ways of thinking. Can we optimize further how we work as a staff? Can we optimize the things that we already pay for (theatres, photocopiers, dramaturgs, admin expertises, foh skills, and on and ) so that they better serve the sector as a whole, creating additional value for everyone? Are there things that we are doing that could be better done by an artistic/administrative partner?
Recently some great ideas came up from unlikely sources, which in light of this article about encouraging risk and innovation, I take as a good sign. There are lots of folks talking about these ideas recently so I look forward to continuing the conversation and mentally stumbling towards innovation. More to come…
Sue | 01.11.13 at 3:57 pm said…
for 2013 I am religiously working my way through the book “Sacred Cows Make The Best Burgers” – diligently applying its lessons to my own arts business and if they don’t fit, flipping them so they do. I am looking forward to this conversation.
dennie | 01.13.13 at 1:54 pm said…
How true and – while how sad that arts as industry is not appropriately recognized – how great that that this day/age inspires folks to rethink, challenge and re-invent. It is also true that these are the same questions facing many North American industries/businesses. As artists, we do not necessarily have to invent a new wheel on our own. Businesses, communities, academics, next generation….all may play a role in re-imagining how to bring cultural and creativity in a viable format back to the forefront of our society. Count me in!
Sheila Sky | 01.14.13 at 1:46 pm said…
The notion of “smart failures” is an interesting one. Smart failures are research; and many sectors have mechanisms for sharing research results. Sharing findings, which means revealing errors (yup, it gives me a squirmy feeling too), will enable both individual and collective improvement. As General I-forget-who once said: “You must learn from the mistakes of others because you won’t live long enough to make them all yourself”.
Kendra Fry | 01.14.13 at 2:15 pm said…
I think that there’s huge value in this idea, particularly in training young managers. I once led a “Young Producers” session in which I told two stories of past negotiations. In both stories I chose to push forward against opposition and directly confront people. In one story it succeeded, in the other it failed spectacularly. We spent a very fruitful hour dissecting why it failed when it did and what the situational learning piece was. Shared research on a very basic level, I think.