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 obligati
Be sure to clarify what the terms and expectations are…..similar to nonprofits (like government-owned or operated cultural facilities and institutions, municipal arts agencies or councils, living collections (such as zoos and botanical gardens), university museums and presenters, and arts programs that are embedded under the umbrella of a non-arts organization or facility) and for-profit businesses.
consider this
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 / 06
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.
02/ 06
BUY A SERVICE
Buy a service or resource and allow the organization to use it as well.
03/ 06
COLLABORATE
Collaborate on public relations efforts to build out robust event calendars or featured stories.
04/ 06
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/ 06
Intentional listening
ntentional listening is a key component of building an authentic relationship.
06/ 06
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/ 06
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?
HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE
“Working together can be transactional or transformational…let’s lean into the transformational”
– Dr. Genna Styles-Lyas, Director of LAA Community Engagement & Equity in Research
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!
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.
need help?
Check out the resource list below
Maintaining Connections: Building Creative Authentic Collaborations and Partnerships with Angiehttps://youtu.be/KJwYUIhM_38
Maintaining Connections: Building Creative Authentic Collaborations and Partnerships with Monicahttps://youtu.be/FxOssGmtH8U
Trust in Civil Society: Understanding the factors in Nonprofits and Philanthropy
https://independentsector.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Trust-Report-Independent-Sector-May-19-2022.pdf
Shifting Power in Your Organization and Community
https://artsmidwest.org/resource/shifting-power-in-your-organization-and-community/
Types of Organizations/Activities that Are Eligible for the Audience-Intercept Survey Process
https://www.americansforthearts.org/sites/default/files/Definition_of_EligibleOrganizations_AEP6.pdf
Intersectionality 101
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6dnj2IyYjE
Addressing Intersectionality in Diversity and Inclusion Analysis
https://pulsely.io/blog/addressing-intersectionality-in-diversity-and-inclusion-analysis
Art + Activism: Intersectionality in cultural work
https://artsandculture.google.com/story/art-activism-intersectionality-in-cultural-work-flamboyan-arts-fund/nQWx28IlFLNnUw?hl=en
Intersectionality And Disability Justice: 2023 Disability Justice Virtual Resource Series
https://artsu.americansforthearts.org/products/intersectionality-and-disability-justice-2023-disability-justice-virtual-resource-series
Perception
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/perception
Rubin’s Vase
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubin_vase
How Memory Works
https://bokcenter.harvard.edu/how-memory-works
In Search of Cultural Competence
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/03/cultural-competence
Key Takeaways:
Key Takeaways: do
1. Think outside of the box for partnership.
2. Invest in mutually beneficial opportunities.
3. Consider transformational collaboration that celebrates diverse perspectives.
download 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.