After many years of scanning news items for arts stories, today I had that jaded feeling again. There wasn’t anything really new and exciting.  I have mentioned before that one of the main reasons people attend the arts is to experience and discover something new. Are we providing this for our audiences?

The younger generations don’t necessarily want to go to what their parents would enjoy either. They want something new for their generation. Why do you think Rock and Roll took off?

Sometimes just tweaking the presentation to be something new is enough to provide extra energy to give your art and organization some new momentum. I’m sure you can think of an example of this type of “new.”

So why is it that when I am scanning for arts news, I am not finding as much “new” as I used to?  Again, aren’t we supposed to be the creatives? Either the media isn’t properly covering the arts, another post in and of itself, or we are not creating the new experiences that the audiences are craving.

I was saved today by a particular tweet from Chorus America. They tweeted about the new concept of PopUp Chorus where every day people can instantly become a part of a chorus experience.  What a great idea! I would definitely want to go to this event. I am also willing to bet that these types of hands-on programs and events will translate into new audiences. I hope they are keeping the data we need.

Are you doing something new to make people go “I have got to see this!”? If not, why not? New audiences of all ages want something new to give them a boost in their every day lives. We want something new, even if sometimes we say we don’t.

Cheers to happy and loyal audiences,
Shoshana

Shoshana Fanizza
Chief Audience Builder, ADS

PS Bonus commentary – I finally received a message from the volunteer opportunity (1 month and 1/2 later). The email was quick to say – “Hello, we are having an orientation on ____, I hope you can join us.”  It was pleasant for the most part, but very impersonal.  It is time to get personal again. If you are sending off emails to people to go the extra support mile, to volunteer, donate, sponsor, etc., please use their name (spelled correctly), and use your own name.  I have received emails that will say thank you, but with no name and contact information. Egads! We really need to go back to letter writing 101 again.  How do we expect to build relationships and be on a more personal level with people if we are not personal ourselves?  Just a thought!