Collaboration: It’s an unnatural act between… … two or more unconsenting adults.

1.What are the current realities for supporting the arts? 2.What ways of thinking am I holding on to, that prevents my organization or group from moving forward?

Extensive discussion about a local innovative, collaborative project to encourage “out of the box” thinking.

39% Joint Marketing, Advertising, Merchandizing 26% Centralized Website, Scheduling, Calendar, Ticketing 20% Joint Development, Fundraising 12% Joint Volunteer Recruitment 3% Shared Administrative Support

Community Collaborative Model Research Committee

 Peter Anderson – Local Business Owner  Bruce Knowles – Black Hills Symphony  Joan Martin – Marketing Expertise/Artist  Pepper Massey – Rapid City Arts Council  Merritt Olsen – Performing Arts Center  Karen Gundersen Olson – Allied Arts Fund  Lori Pourier – First People’s Fund

Research successful community arts collaborative models that…  increased revenue/revenue diversity and  created efficiencies through shared marketing services that may include, but are not limited to a centralized clearinghouse for: Organizational event planning and public informational event calendar Website Social Media Ticketing Branding

Two desired outcomes were identified by the committee: 1.Change the conversation from competition to lifting up all organizations through the results of this Collaboration. 2.Improve the attitude of generosity; see the larger picture beyond individual organizations.

1.Met 8 times 2.Approximately 25 models researched 3.Attended Americans for the Arts Conference 4.Honed in on The Cowles Center & Denver.org

1.Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) 2. Black Hills Central Reservations 3. Destination Rapid City (DRC)

1.Strong connections with tourism & business community 2.Marketing Expertise 3.Technical Assistance/Purchasing Power

Like Main Street Square  A parking lot now has over 600,000 people visit yearly

 Business Improvement District (BID)  Rapid City Downtown Association (RCDA) – grew from 20 to over 200 members  Promenade and Legacy Commons

 Three comprehensive marketing campaigns across all media  Website visits total 225,000-plus annually and growing

Community Innovation Grant -Submitted by DRC on behalf of the Future of the Arts Collaborative

Other Thoughts Found other sites as possible models

$200,000 over two years for the Future of the Arts Collaborative

Manager Community Innovation Grant Program, Bush Foundation “The Bush Foundation is pleased to award a Community Innovation Grant for The Future of Arts in Rapid City Collaborative. This grant program was designed to support innovation through inclusive, collaborative processes that make the most of community assets. It is evident that the Arts Collaborative is driving towards an innovation or breakthrough that will make the arts in Rapid City more sustainable and we are happy we can support your efforts.”

Funding Awarded to DRC, as Strategic Partner for the Future of the Arts Collaborative to:  Provide Marketing Staff & Media Buys for the Collaborative  Build Centralized Community Arts Calendar, Website & Ticketing for the Collaborative

Destination Rapid City

Grow audiences, revenue and leadership for artists and arts organizations in the Rapid City area.

Timeline

Research and Planning  Focus Groups with arts organizations and artists to develop detailed picture of community’s marketing needs and wishes. (Sign up Today!)  Using that input, develop RFP for website and marketing plan.  Create strategic plan for membership organization.

Development Website and marketing development and soft roll out.