Dennis Scholl, art collector and VP of Arts at the Knight Foundation in Miami, gave a direct and engaging talk at this morning’s TBA Institute event about how the performance arts are changing, and what arts groups will need to do to keep up with the audience.
At the big flagship “SOB” groups (symphony, opera, ballet) as well as theatre, the larger trends show declining audiences. What used to work isn’t working anymore, and the one big change almost everyone needs to make in order to survive is shift from a “bring the audience to my space” mindset to “bring my art to where the people are.” Given that change in orientation, the big, creaky physical flagship venues of yesterday are vulnerable.
And then there’s the digital aspect. A massive divide is opening between those who are plugged in and those who aren’t. As older folks move through the system, in the future everyone will be plugged in. But some groups may not survive the transition.
Smart groups have moved beyond trying to recreate what worked 50 years ago and are leading the way somewhere new – in both location and content. To do this what you need first and foremost is a vision for how to create new and exciting experiences for the audience. Simply continuing to do the same tired routine isn’t gonna cut it.
Scholl is big on surprises. We must find the audience in new ways and places. To put his money where his mouth is, he cleverly inserted some real art smack dab into the middle of his talk. After ending a point with “Because real art can happen anywhere,” Scholl paused and all of a sudden two Portland Opera singers suddenly materialized and took the room over. Stunning!!!!
Looking for some everyday beauty that engages with the audience?
