Building Success

Regardless of the venture – be it the production of a new play, the commissioning of a dance work or, at the largest scale, the development of a major new arts facility – we've come to acknowledge that the ultimate success of any endeavor is often founded on just a few key factors. From an analysis of our work in the arts and cultural sector, five factors in particular seem associated with those projects which proceeded most smoothly, were most effective and had the greatest impact. In our continuing work with clients from around the country, we see these same factors in evidence over and over again. Together, they form a framework for successful project development which we call 'Building Success.'

 

In a series of case studies and conversations over the next several issues of this publication, we will share the lessons we and our clients have learned by exploring how some organizations ''Build Success'' better than others.

In this issue, we'll discuss the individual factors which comprise this framework.

Vision
In our experience, a clear and compelling vision lies at the center of any successful social enterprise. In the non-profit arts sector we seem to naturally understand this central assumption. A vision is the big idea around which we can build support and produce value. In our business, we have a headstart: Whether through spoken word, music, movement or images, the vision of engaging people through our art is compelling from the outset.

But a clear and compelling vision has come to be about more than just the art itself. Expectations are high these days. In addition to engagement, the arts are expected to educate, bridge divides, foster creativity and drive economic development.

Whatever your project's goals, unless its ''vision'' is clearly articulated and passionately believed, it will not be the cornerstone of success that it needs to be.

Leadership
In our nearly 20 years working in the cultural sector, perhaps nothing has made a greater impression than the critical role of leadership. At once inspirational and organizational, great leaders are a key factor in ''Building Success'' because of the many key values they bring to a compelling project. Successful leaders bring visibility, credibility and accountability – values we've seen were critical to bringing together the myriad resources required for the success of a great many of the projects we will examine in future Insights issues.

Resources
Be they human or financial, no project can long succeed without adequate resources. The arts and culture sector is (almost by definition) perennially under-capitalized, too often relying upon 'discounted' human capital to supplant needed financial resources. When we look at successful projects, we see not only adequate funding (though the refrain 'never enough' is still often heard), but a generous supply of human, social and political capital as well. As we explore successful initiatives, we will examine the variety of resources which contribute to 'Building Success.'

Partnership
Partnership was the last of the five factors to be added to our 'Building Success' framework. Over time, we've come to learn this factor – though subtle – plays such a vital role in successful cultural sector projects that success is nearly impossible without it. Whether between artist and audience, funder and producer, or two or more organizations, so much of what we do is already collaborative. We will see that those who have built success seldom did it on their own, but instead drew on complex relationships with real partners, where all shared in the benefits.

Commitment
Last, but certainly not least, is the time factor. No significant project appears overnight. From the art at the center of our industry, the organizations that produce and showcase it, the services that enable it or the facilities that house it, ''Building Success'' takes time – time for ideas to evolve and mature, time for coalitions to form, time for the work to be explored. Sometimes that time can seem like forever, and sometimes success comes more quickly. In each and every case, however, maintaining commitment to the vision, for the duration, is the factor that harnesses all others and pushes the project forward.

In coming Insights issues we will look at specific projects which exemplify our 'Building Success' framework and examine how these factors contributed to their success. If you have a 'Building Success' story or a lesson learned along the way to your own success, please share it with us! Just send an email to insights@ams-online.com and we'll include your thoughts in upcoming explorations.

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