The Cycle: A Practical Approach to Managing Arts Organizations

by Michael M. Kaiser, Brett E. Egan

In the third book of his popular trilogy on creating and sustaining arts organizations, Michael Kaiser reveals the hidden engine that powers consistent success. According to Kaiser, successful arts organizations pursue strong programmatic marketing campaigns that compel people to buy tickets, enroll in classes, and so on--in short, to participate in the organization's programs. Additionally, they create exciting activities that draw people to the organization as a whole. This institutional marketing creates a sense of enthusiasm that attracts donors, board members, and volunteers.Kaiser calls this group of external supporters "the family." When this hidden engine of family is humming, staff, board, artists, audience, and donors feel confidence in the future. Resources are reinvested in more and better art, which is marketed aggressively; as a result, the family continues to grow, providing even more resources. This self-reinforcing cycle underlies the activities of all healthy arts organizations, while the theory behind it can be used as a diagnostic tool to reveal--and remedy--the problems of troubled ones.This book addresses each element of the cycle in the hope that more arts organizations across the globe--from orchestras, theaters, museums, opera companies, classical and modern dance organizations to service organizations and other not-for-profit cultural institutions--will be able to sustain remarkable creativity, pay the bills, and have fun doing so!

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

212 pages, ebook

First published September 3, 2013

Reviews

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many, I have served on a number of boards most of which seem to spend countless hours doing nothing. Kaiser's Cycle may ostensibly be about managing arts organizations, but any non-profit could benefit from most of the lessons. The two most important are: do not neglect your product and cultivate your organization's family.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first of Kaiser's books I've read, and a first I've read about arts administration, so I haven't a lot to compare it to in-context. It is extremely useful, and rather well-balanced I thought in terms of providing concise and clear instruction alongside illustrative stories from Mr. Kaiser's impressive career. I plan to read his "The Art of the Turnaround" next, and will be curious to compare the two.

If the book suffers from anything, it's from the burden of over-stating the seemingly obvious. This is a reliable attribute of any good administrator (though seemingly even more so for arts administration) as it's a tactic for assuring that a diverse and departmentalized team has a cohesive understanding of objectives and priorities. It's also necessary for any how-to book, in order to address a broad audience's needs and interests. Kaiser is aware of the challenge, and calls it out repeatedly - which is of itself a bit monotonous.

Lest this seem condemning, however, I believe this attribute of "The Cycle" to be well-worth some endurance. It's a beautifully complete approach to development for just about any non-profit organization, and I'd be surprised if anyone reading the book wouldn't find themselves picking up at least a critical tip or two. And as a crash-course in funding an arts organization, this is a home-run.

[Dan Graser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work of Michael Kaiser and Brett Egan deals mainly with the topic of sustainable growth - financially and creatively - within an arts organization. While it is certainly true that he is primarily speaking from experience with extremely large organizations, the principles discussed are certainly applicable to more moderate and smaller organizations with some deft extrapolation.

Essentially his concept of the cycle involves a dual focus on programmatic marketing and institutional marketing. These concepts combined encourage the growth of an organization's, "family." Family, here, is understood to be an organization's combined network of audience-goers, board-members, donors, and general supporters. Creating and cultivating this family creates a self-sustaining and self-reinforcing, "cycle," or perhaps, "organizational flow," that leads to long term success and security.

At the opening of the book the authors warn that due to the structure of the book and the overlapping of concepts that there will be a great deal of repetition throughout, and they were certainly correct. However this is not particularly problematic as their concepts are worth repeating and each chapter maintains a cogent focus, even if you can see where they're going with the idea a long way out. A fine introduction to many concepts dealt with on a daily basis by arts administrators.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one that all Austin Opera board members have been encouraged to read, as we (successfully) implement these practices. In some of our culture meetings, we discussed having a “virtuous cycle”—great art inspires audiences and donors, which funds great art, and that mirrors the cycle to which the title of this book refers.

There are a lot of concepts in this book that apply to any non-profit. I especially like the idea of having organizations define their “family”, so that there are different roles and ways for people to be involved in the organization—whether it’s to be on the board, to be a volunteer, or to be one served by the mission.

All in all, a practical book. I read it quickly with the intent to go back from time to time to refer to specifics. I appreciate that many chapters have a brief summary of the “truths” to take away.

[Van Angelo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took a Non Profit Leadership seminar as part of my graduate progress and we went through this whole book in tandem with class discussion. As someone who recently started working for a non profit but didn’t have any experience in the field, I find it super illuminating. The simple yet effective details on how a business really needs some core tenants, and plans to be effective and useful. I appreciate that everything goes back to being mission driven and then devising a plan. Three stars because it’s a tiny bit out of date for 2024, also the end felt like beating a dead horse. The points had already been made multiple times.

[Clifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the subtitle indicates, the book is about managing non-profit arts organizations, and its approach is clear and rational. However, the book overlaps in significant ways with another Kaiser book I recently read, Strategic Planning in the Arts. The last chapter in this book deals with Strategic Planning. A chapter in the Strategic Planning book deals with the Cycle. It isn't necessary to read both books.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book and I really enjoyed some of his examples in arts management. I think it possibly oversimplified some things, but I really really REALLY recommend this book to all young theatricians and arts administrators looking to get a better grasp on the organization of their organization.

[Nina Needleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great tool for any arts size arts board &organization

Make every board member read this before you embark on planning or a strategic plan. The mindset taught here is crucial for planning and successfully implementing a strong fundraising and stewardship cycle for sustainability.

[Jim Woolwine · Rating 5 out of 5]

the textbook for the Coursera course of the same name. both were excellent and highly recommend. While fundraising is not a science, there are fundamental best practices that enhance success. Michael M. Kaiser shows the way with solid examples from his career.

[Colin Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice pocket guide to not profit arts org management, but I think much of the advise crumbles under scrutiny or specificity.

Great for the struggling arts org ED. Not so great for someone trying to do a deep dive on arts marketing or something more specific though.

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great look at the importance of a planning cycle. I read this book in parts for a class and I highly recommend reading it from start to finish and not in parts.

[Jennelle John-Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was dry but informative, had to read it for school. Lots of good points and things to remember as I take on arts admin.

[Maura Keefe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful and, as titled, practical. Don't need to read straight through. Dip in and out of chapters as needed. Some things are in multiple chapters.

[Shannon Ducey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty repetitive. You could just read the first and last chapters and I think it would have the same effect.

[Lin DeGraaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super insightful but extremely repetitive

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some parts were a bit redundant, but overall has some good information. Liked the emphasis on planning ahead.

[Iveta Graudina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for every manager of cultural organization.
Provides different "shelves" for existing thoughts, skills and knowledge.
Recommended along with the online course on COURSER https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-cy...