I wasn’t expecting to write a year end blog post so soon, but I have been a little uncomfortable with what is happening in our world, so I have to write today.

The year 2017 has been quite the eye opener. We are finding out that social media does have an impact on truth coming out. Once the truth is uttered, social media carries it around the world. Movements happen. The #MeToo movement is a current example.

We are seeing that the arts are not squeaky clean. Inequality, abusive conduct, and biased wealth distribution are a factor in our arts world. Although in general we are more open minded and tend to be forward thinkers, there are the growing pains among us from within our community.

For 2018, I ask you as part of the collective we in the arts to do better in this coming year. Let us set an example for the rest of the world in how to become more positively inclusive, welcoming, with a mind towards equality.

We can do better in how we cast. We can do better in making sure women have an equal chance in our industry. We can do better in distributing funding to all kinds of arts organizations and artists. We can do better for hiring people of diverse backgrounds. We can do better in how we message to our audiences to welcome all kinds of people.

I have often mentioned that we need to be the change we seek. I also have posted about creating this type of mentality starting with your own life. Let 2018 be the year we decide, we choose to do better.

The arts can be a solution. The arts can set an example. We can do better!

Cheers to happy and loyal audiences,
Shoshana

Shoshana Fanizza, Chief Audience Builder for Audience Development Specialists

A nice holiday gift  for the artsy people in your life!