For over 200 combined years, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) and Roundabout Theatre Company (RTC) have served the greater New York community through both the compelling work and artists featured on their stages and the countless offstage initiatives that engage patrons and develop new audiences. They've masterfully navigated changing landscapes on a variety of fronts - artistic, labor, municipal, the general population - by building remarkable relationships. Katryn Geane, an Account Supervisor specializing in arts & culture clients at Situation, sat down with representatives from both organizations to find out about their priorities and perspectives.
AUDIENCE
"We are data-driven, customer-focused, and personalized. Our audiences are as varied in their interests, tastes, and means as our programming is eclectic. It's incumbent upon the Theatre to meet every prospect and patron where they are and to invite each person to participate at their greatest comfort level."
- Robert Sweibel, Director of Marketing & Audience Development, RTC
"This connection must be multidirectional. We provide our audiences ticket services, but also adventure, connections to artists, benefits, a philanthropic outlet, education, online content, and beyond."
- Shannon Lacek, Director of Marketing, BAM
DONORS
"Our guiding words are: warm and respectful. We avoid being overbearing, one-sided, and robotic."- Lynne Gugenheim Gregory, Director of Development, RTC
"When cultivating institutional relationships with foundations and other grant makers, we must be honest, open, and fulfill our objectives and those of the nonprofit. A shared trust in the ability of the nonprofit to produce successful programs is imperative."
- William Lynch, Director of Leadership Gifts, BAM
ARTISTS
"Our relationships with artists must be malleable and honest."
- Jill Rafson, Director of New Play Development, RTC
"Both parties should always be supportive and equal, not sycophantic."
- Amy Cassello, Associate Producer NextWave Festival, BAM
WHAT IS AN EXCITING GROWTH OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU AND YOUR CONSTITUENTS?
"Developing and delivering a brand experience to our patrons across all channels and venues."
- Robert Sweibel, Director of Marketing & Audience Development, RTC
"Expanding diversity onstage and off in our family of artists."- Jill Rafson, Director of New Play Development, RTC
"Utilizing increased learnings about member preferences so we can provide well curated communications."
- Claire Charlesworth, Director of Membership Programs, BAM
COMMUNITY
"The greatest strength is the hands-on nature of our work. In both classrooms and in our on-site workshop spaces, we are empowering students to be creators."
- Jennifer DiBella, Director of Education, RTC
"We build new relationships by listening first. Then, it's our job to nurture creativity, self-reflection, and belonging."
- Steven McIntosh, Director of Education and Family Programs, BAM
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#RelationshipExponent. This article originally appeared as part of Situation's publication, SITUATION.