Strategy
Launched in 2008 and supported by DDCF grants totaling $3.2 million, the EmcArts Innovation Lab for the Performing Arts aims to help producing, presenting and service organizations in theatre, dance and jazz design and prototype innovative strategies that address major opportunities and challenges facing the arts and culture sector today.
Grant Details
The EmcArts Innovation Lab for the Performing Arts will provide technical assistance and re-grants to six cohorts of up to four organizations each. EmcArts distributes a Request for Proposals to identify performing arts organizations for each cohort.
Each cohort participates in an Innovation Lab delivered in three phases over 12 months:
- Phase 1 – EmcArts works with participating organizations to identify a cross-constituent Innovation Team to plan, experiment and implement their innovation within one year's time;
- Phase 2 – The Innovation Teams participate in a five-day intensive retreat designed to accelerate their projects and network with other organizations in the cohort working on their own innovative projects;
- Phase 3 – EmcArts provides participating organizations with ongoing facilitation support throughout the program and seed grant money to prototype and evaluate their innovative strategy before the final roll-out.
Ultimately, the Innovation Lab gives arts organizations the time and space they need to plan, engage and learn how to innovate effectively, supported by EmcArts facilitation, technical expertise and financial support.
For complete details about the initiative, visit the EmcArts Innovation Lab Web page.
Background
Development of Initiative
In June 2008, DDCF awarded EmcArts a $31,070 planning grant to develop an initiative designed to encourage innovation in performing arts organizations. The planning grant enabled EmcArts to further explore the lessons learned from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation's pilot New Strategies Lab for orchestras, and to undertake discussions with practitioners and with senior staff of national service organizations about how the lab could be tailored to the specific needs of jazz, dance, theatre and presenting organizations. This initiative is based on the findings of EmcArts' research and planning work.