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Build creative authentic

Collaboration and partnerships

Partnerships and collaborations are sometimes used interchangeably, but there is a difference in commitment level, shared resources, and financial obligations.

Be sure to clarify what the terms and expectations are because strong collaboration and/or partnerships are the root of sustainable relationships. Even for the groups you are unable to fund with a grant, there may still be unique partnership opportunities that would benefit both you and the organization. Perhaps you can hire these groups for projects that would support their work in ways that advance their goals and yours. If 501(c)(3) status is a barrier, investigate opportunities to support entrepreneurship and arts enterprises that are similar to nonprofits (like the eligible organizations identified for the AEP6 study) and for-profit businesses.

consider
this

Take a moment to think through the below prompts. Your answers to these prompts could lead to the identification of possible solutions.

If your grant program will only allow you to support 501(c)(3) organizations, but some of the organizations you are interested in connecting or continuing a relationship with are not nonprofits, you could:

consider
this

Take a moment to think through the below prompts. Your answers to these prompts could lead to the identification of possible solutions.

If your grant program will only allow you to support 501(c)(3) organizations, but some of the organizations you are interested in connecting or continuing a relationship with are not nonprofits, you could:

01

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CREATE A PROGRAM

Create a program to help contract artists and groups OR think about programs that already exist where you can diversify contracted artists and groups.

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BUY A SERVICE

Buy a service or resource and allow the organization to use it as well.

03

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COLLABORATE

Collaborate on public relations efforts to build out robust event calendars or featured stories.

04

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RECIPROCATE INVITATIONS

Look for opportunities to bring along leaders of the organizations you have been showing up for. If you get invited to an event, bring a BIPOC or ALAANA leader with you and make introductions to build out networks and further opportunities to collaborate.

If some of the above options fall outside of the scope of your capacity, you can Be a Bridge between groups that may be able to assist. Ask BIPOC and ALAANA organizations what their goals are and what they envision successful, creative, and authentic collaboration looks like.

05

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Intentional listening

Intentional listening is a key component of building an authentic relationship.

06

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POWER DYNAMICS

Consider the power dynamics at play! Is there someone who controls the terms of the relationship? If so, who, how, and why?

07

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Authenticity can look and feel different to different people

Make sure your actions have meaning; consider how messages or actions can be perceived and received. Focus on building long-term relationships by considering past, present, and future contexts.

your turn

Dream, Breathe, Design!

Remember the purpose of this work, and based on that, create. It’s not only about services because there are many ways we can connect.

As you are creating, think:
1.  What are individual and mutual goals?
2. What can you exchange (goods and services)?
3. What can you collaborate on?

YELLOW

In the YELLOW box, DREAM below. Write down your organization’s goals or objectives.

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ORANGE

In the ORANGE box, write down the goals/objectives of the organization you have identified. (You should definitely bring the other organization in on this exercise). Think missions, programs, or audience engagement efforts.

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1000

BLUE

In the BLUE box, list the needs of the organization you’d like to partner with.

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1000

PURPLE

In the PURPLE box, list your needs that could align with theirs (and perhaps what your organization can offer). Use what you learned from Strategy 2: Ask About Unmet Needs. Think resources, services, and connections.

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1000

GREEN

In the GREEN box, BREATHE. Cross-check where your needs and objectives align with the potential partnering organization’s needs. The overlaps are the sweet spots. Are there outliers? Consider if there is someone else or something else that could support these efforts and Be a Bridge.

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HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE

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“Working together can be transactional or transformational…let’s lean into the transformational”
- Dr. Genna Styles-Lyas, Director of AEP6 Community Engagement & Equity

Bring this section to the organization of interest and work on it together. Plan how you can collaborate. What are the next three steps? Building community takes time, and how we build community doesn’t speed up that process, but inauthentic actions can slow it down. Be intentional, be creative, and be committed. You can do this!

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GET CURIOUS: LET’S TAKE A DEEPER DIVE

The following can help you dive into some resources, root causes, drivers, and examples of how this intentional work can be pushed forward to break disconnection, distrust, and disinvestment cycles.

Understanding perception and intersectionality is a building block to cultural competence and the ability to understand, appreciate, and collaborate with different cultures. This is critical to building, maintaining, and strengthening relationships.

Perception
Intersectionality

need help?

Check out the resource list below

Local Arts Agencies & Resources

1.

Think outside of the box for partnership.

2.

Invest in mutually beneficial opportunities.

3.

Consider transformational collaboration that celebrates diverse perspectives.

Key
Takeaways:

Save your work…and show it off

(but only if you want to)

If you want to share your work, feel free to post your downloaded PDF or share a story about this experience on the AEP6 Slack Channel. If you aren’t yet a part of the Slack Channel, please reach out to AEP6CommunityEngagement@artsusa.org  for support or access.

If you do not wish to share your work, please know that we do not save, record, or attribute the answers you have typed here or downloaded into your PDF. Your work here is completely private unless you choose otherwise.