Thanks, Omari. Good read.

 

I’m particularly interested in how public funding agencies are pivoting, using this type of information.

 

I’ll send this on to USD as well.

 

Thanks!

 

J.

 

 

 

From: usuaf@americansforthearts.simplelists.com <usuaf@americansforthearts.simplelists.com> On Behalf Of Omari Rush
Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2020 7:46 AM
To: usuaf@americansforthearts.simplelists.com
Subject: Re: [Americans for the Arts] questions for those who are funders and facility owners/operators - let's share information!

 

**This email came from an external source. Be cautious about clicking on any links in this email or opening attachments.**

 

In Detroit / Southeast Michigan, we commissioned WolfBrown to do a capitalization needs assessment of cultural organizations in our seven-county region.

 

The research was done in April and the findings were released in July. In addition to sharing a crisis environment snapshot, the report also includes recommendations for future deployment of resources in the arts and culture sector, which is hopefully broadly relevant.

 

I hope this is helpful.

Feel free to holler if you have any questions.

-o

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Tue, Aug 25, 2020 at 4:10 PM Glus, Jonathon <JGlus@sandiego.gov> wrote:

 

Colleagues:

 

We are working hard to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on our grantees from a financial perspective, both immediate and long-term, to determine how we can best respond with our entire tool kit.  I’d like to share our findings.

 

To frame, I’m asking about how your agency is shifting its existing funding and facility programs to respond to grantees now and in anticipation of an extended downturn for the next 18 – 24months. I’m not asking about partnerships or alliances with other funders, special fundraising, or other agency priorities, just what you are doing at your agency.

 

To understand the landscape in San Diego we’ve done three rounds of research and are creating two facility initiatives as below:

 

  1. We commissioned University of San Diego to conduct an in-depth survey of grantees financial condition. (Participation was mandatory for all grantees before we would finalize an FY21 contract.) We want to know if they leveraged real estate assets or endowment; if their board stepped-up and how; what kind of emergency foundation support, etc. Those findings are due in early September. I will happily share the findings with this group as a model of what may be happening in your community.

 

  1. We commissioned an outside consultant to interview the ED of 38 theatre companies, 34 of which are grantees. The goal is to identify interest in new business models, including shared services, mergers, and responsible closer. In general, there is great interest.  I’m happy to share those findings in early fall.

 

  1. For our general operating grantees, we are waiving all tourism/public engagement obligations for FY21, acknowledging that they may be entirely virtual for the year.

 

  1. We are in the process of creating a short list of outdoor park sites that are “plug-n-play” for performing arts organizations who want to take their performances outdoors. We will handle all permitting costs, electrical issues, etc. Details TBD.

 

  1. We have a 6 – 8 small neighborhood libraries that we may repurpose for 18-24 months to house organizations that could benefit from no rent. Details TBD.

 

How you adjusting your funding and facility programs to respond?

 

Thanks! Jonathon

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