Dear Local Arts Colleagues,
Our organization Arts Huntsville, formerly Huntsville Arts Council, was established in 1962 as a membership organization. Huntsville, currently the 3rd largest city in the state of Alabama, is on track to become the largest city
in the state by the year 2022. As the city and its art community continues to grow, we have been discussing internally what our organization needs to do in order to stay ahead of the city’s growth.
After attending AFTA’s Artists Thrive course and taking part in artist roundtables as part of the city’s new Sound Diplomacy Music Audit, we have determined that in order to fulfill our mission to the city, it may be in our best interest
to drop the membership model. I’m reaching out to you today to ask if there are any organizations that have made the move away from membership successfully, and how you did it.
How did you make up for the lost revenue from membership? How did you deal with the increased influx of artists that were interested in being part of your organization? Did you retain certain membership benefits and offer them to all artists,
and if so, which ones?
I am open to hearing all thoughts on this – not just from organizations who have switched models.
Thank you so much in advance for your help! I would be happy to share the information that I collect going forward with those who are interested – just let me know.
Best,
Alex
Alexander Abel-Boozer
Membership Engagement & Gallery Manager
o: 256.519.2787
e: alexander@artshuntsville.org
Follow Us @ArtsHuntsville