Leading Roles: 50 Questions Every Arts Board Should Ask

Also from Michael Kaiser

also from michael kaiser Creating and Maintaining HealthyArts Organizations the art of the turnaround michael m. kaiser PRACTICAL ADVICE (SUPPORTED BY EXTENSIVE CASE STUDIES) FOR FIXING TROUBLED ARTS ORGANIZATIONS How can one create and maintain a healthy arts organization despite economic constraints inherent in the industry? Michael M. Kaiser has revived four major arts organizations: the Kansas City Ballet, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, and London’s Royal Opera House. In The Art of the Turnaround he shares with readers his ten basic rules for bringing financially distressed arts organizations back to life and keeping them strong. These rules cover the requirements for successful leadership, the pitfalls of cost cutting, the necessity of extending the programming calendar, the centrality of effective marketing and fund raising, and the importance of focusing on the present with a positive public message. Kaiser brings his ten rules vividly to life in discussions of the four arts organizations he is credited with saving. The book concludes with a chapter on his experiences at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, an arts organization that needed an artistic turnaround when he became the president in 2001 and that today exemplifies in practice many of the ten rules he discusses throughout his book. BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY PRESS Published by University Press of New England ISBN 13: 978-1-58465-735-4 WWW.UPNE.COM Praise for Michael M. Kaiser and The Art of the Turnaround: Creating and Maintaining Healthy Arts Organizations “Michael Kaiser has a unique combination of artistic vision and executive talent that makes him one of the most capable leaders in the performing arts. This book tells the story of his impressive leadership. As my brother said in 1960, ‘The New Frontier for which I campaign in public life can also be a New Frontier for American art,’ and he’d be very proud of all that Michael Kaiser has accomplished.” — Senator Edward M. Kennedy “There can be no one who has had the experience—the expertise—of Michael Kaiser in taking world class performing arts companies and reinventing them for the 21st century. This is a goldmine.” — Harold Prince “Michael Kaiser, the ‘Miracle Worker.’ We know now we can expect miracles from Michael Kaiser, and in his wonderful new book he tells you how to do the same for your organization. Ten rules to his kind of success— that’s what you’ll find within the pages of The Art of the Turnaround.” — Barbara Cook “Michael Kaiser is an engaging and inspiring impresario, who truly has made a difference in turning around arts organizations. He knows firsthand of what he speaks.” — Renée Fleming “This book is a valuable management resource; arts administrators could do worse than emulate Kaiser’s work ethic, boldness of vision and ability to learn from mistakes. Those interested in keeping America’s arts institutions vital ignore his insights at their peril.” — Opera News “To some, there may be a touch of irony: the man who presided over some of the Royal Opera House’s darkest hours has produced a selfhelp book aimed at pulling failing arts organisations out of trouble. Michael Kaiser’s The Art of the Turnaround offers 10 basic rules on how to save failing arts organisations, some of which were learned the hard way in London.” — The Guardian (London) “Kaiser presents a ten-step . . . program to save or revive struggling arts organizations. The author’s program is . . . practical, and he follows it with a series of case studies in which he works his magic over and over again . . . He offers . . . interesting anecdotes, and the portrayal of the logistics of traveling shows deserves particular mention.” — Choice “[An] extraordinary book that serves as both cautionary tale and practical primer in crisis response. . . . Whether you are serving in an entry level or executive leadership position, from crew chief to executive director, there is much to be learned in Michael Kaiser’s The Art of the Turnaround.” —Theatre Design & Technology “[A] must-read in the arts world.” — Sacramento Bee “For any arts executive or program staffer interested in learning how to revive the fortunes of an ailing organization — or build on the success of a healthy one —The Art of the Turnaround by Michael M. Kaiser is a must read.” —Philanthropy News Digest “The Kennedy Center and Michael Kaiser offered swift, constructive , hands-on, and inspirational assistance during the crisis for...