Strategy
Launched in 2008 with a DDCF grant of $1.5 million, the EmcArts Innovation Lab for the Performing Arts aims to help producing and presenting organizations in theatre, dance and jazz design and prototype innovations that respond to challenges affecting the performing arts field, such as loss of audiences, the impact of technology or changes in leadership.
Grant Details
The EmcArts Innovation Lab for the Performing Arts will provide technical assistance and re-grants to three cohorts of four organizations each. EmcArts will distribute a Request for Proposals to identify performing arts organizations for each cohort.
EmcArts announced Round 1 grantees in January 2009 and Round 2 grantees in March 2009. The deadline to apply for Round 3 was May 7, 2009.
Each cohort will participate in an Innovation Lab that consists of three phases over nine to 12 months:
- Phase 1 – EmcArts works with an Innovation Team of up to 10 people from each organization to define project goals and success measures, and to conduct pertinent research;
- Phase 2 – EmcArts facilitates a five-day intensive retreat attended by the Innovation Teams from all four organizations in each cohort;
- Phase 3 – EmcArts provides each organization with $25,000 of seed grant money to prototype and evaluate their innovative strategy before the final roll-out.
Ultimately, the Innovation Lab gives arts organizations the time and space they need to plan, engage and learn how to innovate effectively, supported by EmcArts facilitation, technical expertise and financial support.
For complete details about the initiative, visit the EmcArts Innovation Lab Web page.
Background
Development of Initiative
In June 2008, DDCF awarded EmcArts a $31,070 planning grant to develop an initiative designed to encourage innovation in performing arts organizations. The planning grant enabled EmcArts to further explore the lessons learned from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation's pilot New Strategies Lab for orchestras, and to undertake discussions with practitioners and with senior staff of national service organizations about how the lab could be tailored to the specific needs of jazz, dance, theatre and presenting organizations. This initiative is based on the findings of EmcArts' research and planning work.