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Creating solutions with entrepreneurship and diversity
Building in my assertion that problem focused organizations should instead look for solutions here’s someone making it happen in the arts world, Jeff Melanson, executive director of Canada’s National Ballet School.
How does he create solutions in a sector where people will tell you problems abound? Jeff simply reframes the opportunity. As noted in a piece on Jeff, he goes beyond the problems by…
Discovering…
“incredibly talented artists in Toronto that we didn’t know about.”
Tapping talent in far-flung racial and ethnic enclaves to ask…
“How is culture transmitted from generation to generation? How is it taught? Where does it fit in the social context?”
Believing…
“the filter I tend to bring is that art is relevant to everybody. I’m trying to find ways to take art off its aesthetic pedestal and give it back to people.”
Championing a philosophy of cultural enterprise…
“It does not mean reducing government funding. But future growth will be more dependent on private-sector support. And most artists now don’t receive any of that training. We need to focus on the goal: building more robust arts organizations.”
And making things happen…
“Because art is always connected to the social context. It’s not standalone.” Like this.
