Thursday, December 09, 2021
Pulling the Strings of Resiliency Planning
Performing Arts Readiness: As performing arts organizations around the world shut their doors to in-person performances in early 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia was able to take advantage of our existing Digital Learning Department to expand their international virtual audience from 9 countries to over 94 countries.
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2 comments:
It's really cool to see a success story out of COVID, in particular one involving puppets! The steps that the Center for Puppetry Arts outline can absolutely be applied to certain organizations to increase their reach and versatility in an ever-online world. First, ease of access. This is something that needs to be tackled with digital barriers, but options such as on-demand streaming can allow folks to find the time to access it, perhaps out of work hours or when they have access to the internet. Second, free content. This is hard for some to swallow, but free isn't impossible. This doesn't mean it is all free, but providing something for everyone without the financial barrier can make the organization more resilient by growing a larger base. Simple cabarets, for example, could be a great way to build audiences. Third, having a predictable schedule can be vital, especially if on-demand isn't an option or wanted. The article notes children and families have busy lives, and it is better to have a regular audience at specific times then keeping them guessing. Fourth, work with a marketing team! Push push push, get people to see your content. Finally, be willing to alter the roles of staff. This is something that can again be hard, but going into the hiring process with versatility in mind can help make the company as a whole versatile. There are definitely points that can be taken from here and applied across our industry, god forbid we have to go back into COVID times...
I love the use of puppets as a teaching tool! It is a very creative way to be inclusive, allow children to explore creation, give ownership of the process, and have a fun way to get into the story. It reduces barriers that a lot of people may have to entering the arts, especially when time and money are the most difficult to overcome. A puppet can be a simple tool that allows infinite possibilities for creativity, with little to no cost. It also doesn’t have a minimum educational level, so it is good for a child of any age.
I also loved the point that people during covid were struggling with the regularity of their schedules. I know many parents who were trapped with their children all day felt the struggle to entertain with little to no experience. This must have been a great way for them to take a break from schoolwork and “play’ together while still being structured and with a goal in mind.
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