What To Do When You’re Dark

Published:

By: Ceci Dadisman

In: , Marketing & Communications,

I don’t have to tell you about the immense toll the COVID-19 pandemic is having on our industry. In light of so many organizations going dark for an undetermined length of time, the question arises as to how to keep in touch with patrons through this uncertain time.

I have a few ideas to share with you:

  • Release recordings of performances for people to watch from home. Whether it is an entire opera, or selections from a recent concert, you can keep connected whilst also providing something to break up the monotony of being at home.
  • Provide activities that can be done at home. If you are a museum, what art activities (for kids and adults) can you share via email and social media? For performing arts orgs, there is a wealth of how-to and educational videos on YouTube. I rarely recommend Pinterest for arts organizations, but this might be a time to set up an account and create boards where you can aggregate this content.
  • Take patrons on behind-the-scenes tours. If you are a museum or your organization has it’s own facilities (whether it is a theater or simply a costume shop), why not create a series of simple videos  or even a livestream that that takes patrons on a tour?
  • Publish a reading list of books for children and adults. There are tons of books for all ages that are about the arts. In addition to more cerebral nonfiction books for super fans, don’t forget about entertaining fiction like The Remarkable Farkle McBride and Fancy Nancy At The Museum for kids or Bel Canto and Captain Corelli’s Mandolin for adults.

I hope these give you a little inspiration for what your organization can do to provide resources and entertainment for your patrons.

Ceci Dadisman
Author
Ceci Dadisman
Ceci Dadisman is a marketing professional with more than 15 years of experience creating effective communications campaigns utilizing innovative, forward thinking methods. She is nationally recognized as a leader in digital marketing and specializes in multichannel communications campaigns. A frequent public speaker, Ceci’s recent and upcoming engagements feature national conference appearances at NTEN, Museums and the Web, National Arts Marketing Project, Arts Midwest, American Alliance of Museums, OPERA America, Midwest Museums Association, and Chorus America in addition to many other local and regional events. Known for her easy-going and vernacular style, she creates open learning environments with an emphasis on information sharing and useful takeaways. She is a member of the National Arts Marketing Project Advisory Committee and the West Virginia University College of Creative Arts Visiting Committee, and is a mentor in West Virginia University’s Creative Consultant program. She also teaches the arts marketing course at West Virginia University’s College of Creative Arts and is on the faculty of Chorus America’s Chorus Management Institute. Ceci was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from West Virginia University’s College of Creative Arts. She currently lives in Cleveland, Ohio.
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