By Vernon Thompson
January 11, 2010

The financial crisis sweeping the nation is paralyzing the arts community according to Michael Kaiser, President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Kaiser participated in a public forum in Honolulu on December 16, 2009. A large audience of local arts organization managers turned out to hear Kaiser speak as part of his Arts in Crisis 50 state educational tour.

Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who helped sponsor the event, said, "We are honored to bring Michael Kaiser to Honolulu and are hoping that arts administrators in Hawaii will implement his great ideas to improve the health of their organizations." Hannemann is the chairman of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment and Sports Committee, and is helping to lead the charge to prioritize the nation's arts and tourism policies.

Kaiser is considered a national authority and is known as the "turnaround king" for reviving ailing arts groups. He outlined ten key points to improve the marketing and management of local organizations. His presentation, which echoed his latest book The Art of the Turnaround: Creating and Maintaining Healthy Arts Organizations, focused on board development, marketing, budgeting and creating artistic programming.

"Take every penny you have and spend it on great art, and market that art," said Kaiser. "Build a contribution base from that, and then redirect your funds to more good art and good marketing."

"You can't save your way to health," he said. "Most of the time, it's a revenue problem, not a spending problem. When arts organizations make cuts, they usually get sicker. Cuts have always been the first resort, but they should be the last. When you cut programs, you almost guarantee less ticket revenue and fewer donations, and you gradually become less relevant to your community."

Hannemann encourages arts alliances to be more creative. "My administration is focused on the arts because it is where people learn to dream. We know that our community's passion for the arts is the driving force that makes a great society. We have to support it. Our arts administrators must be even more imaginative in this economy."

Kaiser agrees. "They must look at their budgets and find ways to make more exciting productions." He outlined several examples where he has saved organizations by inspiring donors and board members to become more involved and excited about upcoming productions. "If your board members are reluctant to contribute or are embarrassed about supporting your organization—you have problems."

Kaiser earned his reputation as the turnaround virtuoso after rescuing the Kansas City Ballet, Alvin Ailey Dance Theater Foundation, American Ballet Theater and London's Royal Opera House from financial ruin. He saved those cultural institutions and is now sharing his years of management and fundraising experience with struggling arts groups across the country, one city at a time.

The Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts co-hosted Kaiser's presentation in partnership with the Hawaii Arts Alliance, the Oahu Kennedy Center Partner in Education, and the Honolulu Theatre for Youth.

After the presentation, Hannemann, along with other leading arts advocates, sat down with Kaiser for an extended luncheon discussion. "In some instances, the feedback from Kaiser either served as a reality check or a wake up call for what we need to do to encourage the arts in the 12th largest city in the United States. We are grateful that we had an opportunity to take advantage of Michael Kaiser's vast experience and knowledge of the critical issue," added Hannemann.

For more information on Arts in Crisis, visit the website: www.artsincrisis.org