Enter the Challenge

To enter the Business Unusual National Challenge, please fill out the questionnaire below by Thursday May 9th at 11:59pm EST.

Approach

We highly recommend that you gather a small group from your organization to work through these questions, as they require deep questioning at the organizational level from a diversity of voices.

Resources

We are offering downloadable worksheets, video tutorials, an interactive webinar, and phone counseling with EmcArts staff to assist you as your prepare your entry. These tools have helped over 150 arts and culture organizations in identifying their adaptive challenges, so we encourage you to take advantage of them.

ArtsFwd Business Unusual National Challenge

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Question 1: What is your vision of success for your organization? (Write a few sentences articulating the community impacts and benefits that you are looking to achieve.)*
For example: Our vision of success includes having a loyal and engaged audience for our artistic work, as well as achieving financial sustainability for the organization so that we can continue to serve our community.
Question 2: What foundational assumptions that have reliably predicted success in the past are you now questioning?*
For example: It has been our assumption—based on success in the past—that selling whole-season subscriptions is the best way to optimize ticket revenue and build audience loyalty.
Question 3: What evidence is causing you to question your assumptions? (Consider both evidence within your organization that contradicts your assumptions and evidence of new strategies in the field or other sectors that is contributing to your questioning.)*
For example: In organizations across the country, subscriptions are persistently down, single tickets are rising, and feedback indicates that patrons now want to decide on attendance closer to an event. At the same time, some organizations are finding that people are strongly attracted by the ability to customize their relationship with the organization.
Question 4: In response to all this, what bold new directions are you imaging for your organization? (These should be new predictors of future success you could test in practice.)*
For example: A new predictor for success that might replace subscriptions would be: a wholly new pricing structure focusing on individualized selling will optimize revenue, and people will become loyal if we offer them the ability to customize their experience.
Question 5: Describe your adaptive challenge. (Try this format: Because [1] (the most important evidence driving the challenge), we will [2] (the success you want in the future), by [3] (your bold new direction(s)).*
For example: Because subscriptions are persistently down, single tickets sales are rising, and people are attracted to customized experiences, we will therefore optimize revenue in the future and build audience loyalty by introducing a wholly new pricing structure and engaging patrons in a more customize manner.
Question 6: Why is it important that your organization address this challenge, and why now?*
Question 7: What are the core activities of your organization and whom do you serve?*
Required image #1*
Please submit two images that represent your organization. Size and resolution requirements: Minimum of 720px wide and set at 72 dpi.
Required Image #2*
By checking this box, I acknowledge that an executive leader at my organization is aware of and consents to my organization's participation in the Challenge.*
- Consent to Participate in Business Unusual Challenge
Name and Position of executive leader:
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