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"Our selection and participation in this program could not have come at a better time. We have had a very successful 29-year history, however, we pretty much operated as a very small company. In the past two years, we made a commitment to leap from being a small company to becoming an organization. This past September, we secured our own studio space. Having access to our own space 24-7, we can finally address our programming."
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"Participating in the DeVos Institute's program gave the Arab American National Museum instant access to strategies and models proven successful by national organizations."
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“Five years ago, when I started as Executive Director of the Bass Museum of Art, I inherited only three months’ worth of exhibitions programming. While catching up with ourselves for the next year, it was a big challenge to raise funds and market exhibitions and programs. We’ve recently managed to plan out three years ahead of ourselves and are already seeing many successes in both areas.”
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“The program works because we sense DeVos Institute leadership’s genuine respect and interest in helping us achieve our goals to present and create more art and to become more productive. The advice given was simple, clear, meaningful, and manageable. We always came away invigorated and with much more perspective on our programs.”
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“With the support of the DeVos Institute’s capacity building program, Dallas Black Dance Theatre was able to chart our future direction.”
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"We wouldn't be feeling the level of success we have without the guidance of the DeVos Institute."
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"We are carrying messages learned to many corners of our community. The time has gone all too quickly and while we did not get to a five-year planning cycle, each of our organizations is taking a much longer artistic viewpoint. Though still a work in progess, we firmly believe we are on a great path. Thank you for making this possible."
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"The DeVos Institute is providing nonprofit leaders with the invaluable tools to focus on doing great work as guided by their organization's missions in the 21st Century."
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"This has been one of the most valuable experiences in the history of our organization ... The various seminars and training on the best practices regarding boards, development, and financial management have really helped to strengthen the our organizational operations and to think about new ways of accomplishing certain tasks."
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"We have applied many of the concepts and techniques from the DeVos Institute's workshops which helped us create ongoing ways to engage our donors through small events, opportunities, and programs. As a result, we increased the number of our donors and deepened our relationships with them."
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"Being in the DeVos Institute has been a 'game changer' for us. Thanks to its support, we are able to make an impact in our community and nationwide to move forward the larger field of Latino arts and culture. The DeVos Institute has been instrumental in my personal evolution as a leader."
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"We learned from DeVos not to be afraid of trimming the board. We now have fewer but more effective board members."
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"The program came at an ideal time in our institutional life. We’ve been able to implement many of the Institute’s recommendations including using The Cycle to understand how to create and maintain a robust arts organization."
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"The answers are clear in The Cycle: If you do really great art and your people know about it and you treat them really well, then it keeps going in a virtuous cycle and success happens."
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“All of the training by the DeVos Institute is excellent, precise, and well-conceived ... The DeVos Institute helped Tigertail move to the next level.”
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Results
Alaska Native Heritage Center created a system to develop donors at the $1,000 level and higher through a series of targeted campaigns and special events to support specific programmatic initiatives.
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"Suddenly from an organization that was thinking in terms of a one-year cycle, we are thinking two or three years ahead of ourselves, and that's really, really exciting."
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"The program helped us identify what 'assets' we have that can help develop people's connections to Fishamble and, in turn, create extra sources of income for the company."
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“I particularly appreciate the practical nature of these fundraising seminars — examples explored are real, not theoretical, and have often been delivered in organisations with limited resources.”
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"The DeVos team tailored their advice to Protein so that it was appropriate for our size, capacity, and capability—and that made a hugely beneficial difference"
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"The DeVos Institute’s strategies are versatile and highly adaptable to a wide variety of programs, from small community and indie projects to large government projects and festivals."
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"The DeVos Institute programme has led to a complete shift in mindset within the organisation. We are now thinking holistically about our artistic programme, marketing, fundraising, and family growth."
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"While participating in the National Arts Management Intensive program in Croatia, my library received not only a whole new body of knowledge about cultural management, but also individual guidance and support in bringing our fundraising project to life."
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"The National Arts Management Intensive provided the foundation on which we built our business model, focusing on sustainability, quality, planning, and communication."
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“I think Michael Kaiser's empathy with all scales of arts organisations (as opposed to the big institutions) is very empowering for smaller companies … He managed to share the broader outlook on fundraising whilst zoning in on bespoke solutions.”
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Results
The Association for Promotion of Cultures “Kulturtreger” (Booksa) completed a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2014 to support improvements to its facilities, which included a new sound system and installation of air-conditioning. The Croatian organization ultimately exceeded its original campaign goal by 11 percent.
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Results
Clonmel Junction Festival, which prides itself on nurturing and empowering emerging Irish artists, embraced long-term artistic planning and started to discuss with friends and supporters the major projects it would pursue over the next three years. This shift provided the Festival with the leeway to conduct true prospect research, to identify a thoughtful approach to donors, and to cultivate a broader base of support for projects of a scale and a complexity that a shorter-term planning cycle simply disallows.
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Results
The Abbey Theatre, a leading producer of new work in Ireland, cultivated private sector donors with limited internal resources by re-thinking the relationship between their marketing and fundraising efforts. The departments worked closely together to promote the theater as an institution on the whole, and adequately leveraged these opportunities for fundraising purposes. In one year, the Theatre more than doubled its membership base and increased total individual giving by over 30 percent.
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Results
The Ark, a cultural center in Dublin, identified the need to build its “family” of donors, partners, and supporters. The organization quickly identified "Teddy Bear Story," a 2014 blockbuster exhibition in partnership with the V&A Museum of Childhood, as a key opportunity to engage new members at the height of the “enthusiasm cycle” created by great art and aggressive marketing, and the campaign enrolled 52 new Family Members (a program launched in 2012) and encouraged four renewals.
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Results
Wexford Festival Opera (WFO), an Irish institution renowned for its focus on rare and unusual operas, adopted a new approach to the cultivation of its “family” of donors, friends, and partners, taking every opportunity to understand their giving interest and ability. Gifts from major donors increased in value by an overwhelming 81 percent between 2012 and 2013 alone.
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“The DeVos Institute's depth of expertise in arts management provided unmatched counsel, clarity, and vision at a critical time for ArtPrize."
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“In many cases when working with consultants, clients are given generic solutions that do not account for the history and culture of an organization. Our experience was quite the opposite with the DeVos Institute ... They were highly knowledgeable and efficient in their analysis."
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"Despite the hundreds of institutions that the DeVos Institute continues to work with, we have found them to be extremely attentive and responsive. Their eagerness to truly engage in the culture of The Muny while helping shape the future of our organization guarantees an accurate assessment of our strengths and needs."
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“This is a five-year strategic plan, and we are already in full swing because of the action plan that was provided ... Onwards to a brilliant and forward-facing 2021."
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“Together we developed a plan that led to the completion of our capital campaign and years of record growth for our organization. By implementing the philosophy of The Cycle throughout our organization, we've been able to bolster our capacity by nearly tripling our operating budget in just four years."
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“Working with the DeVos Institute has been a great gift and blessing to the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. The team led by Michael Kaiser and Brett Egan has the type of wisdom that doesn’t simply come from theory but has been refined by extensive practice."
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“Michael Kaiser’s fresh perspective, coupled with his lifetime of achievement in the world of arts and culture across many disciplines, has won him the trust of everyone within our institution, as well as our stakeholders, regional press, and key decision-makers in our city. Our only regret is that—eventually—his consultancy will end!"
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“The Fellowship had a truly transformational effect on my perception of leadership. It pointed out the advantages of clarifying my mission as well as the crucial importance of strategic planning on the overall health of the organisation.”
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"The DeVos Institute Fellowship program is the most unique learning experience I have ever encountered in my academic or professional career. Not only does the program offer you the opportunity to learn the most comprehensive theory and practical application in the arts management field, but it provides you with a lifelong network of pioneers in the field."
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"It is hard to put into words when you truly experience something life-changing that will influence everything you do in the future as an arts leader. The program has been intensely inspiring and every moment has been meaningful. A unique and empowering experience."
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“The Fellowship is an incredible think tank of arts leaders from around the world. Come ready to challenge your assumptions, and delve deeply into your work with a cohort of talented, supportive colleagues."
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“This program is an invaluable opportunity to step out of your day to day responsibilities and focus on the big picture of arts management. I have been introduced to many exciting new ideas, and have also gained confidence in the experience and knowledge I have gained through working in the field over many years."
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"My time as a DeVos Institute Fellow was, without question, the most transformative period of my career...The Fellowship program is an invaluable asset to the field of arts management."
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"This program presents a unique opportunity to meet and share knowledge with global leaders and innovators in arts management. It is an absolute privilege to have taken part. I was pleasantly surprised with the caliber and experience of the Fellows that are in the program."
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"I strongly recommend the program for arts managers who are willing to improve their organizations and make them grow. It is a unique opportunity to have dozens of arts managers from around the world at the same place - thinking together, discussing, collaborating, and serving as consultants to each other during the four weeks."
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"The Fellowship gave me the revitalization that I needed as an arts leader working in a tough economic environment. I came away inspired by my international colleagues and full of new ideas and management concepts that I could apply immediately to my day-to-day work."
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"The Fellowship program accelerated my career in arts management by at least five years ... it gave me a new direction."
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"The access and insight passed on to me far surpasses anything I could read in a book or learn in a classroom. Long after I matriculated, I have been able to count on my fellow Fellows as peer resources and contacts throughout the field."
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“The program allowed me to conceptualize my day-to-day practice, allowing me to create a coherent strategic plan for my organization, leveraging all the assets. The dialogue … challenged and re-shaped my vision of arts management around the globe.”
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"Following my participation in the Fellowship, we managed to reach out to greater audiences across the country and the East Africa region, and trained a record number of young talents, artists, and other stakeholders."
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"The International Fellowship inspires, empowers, and provides philosophy, vision, and practical tools to make real changes back home. The program makes it possible to share the Fellows' experiences on different levels, which I appreciate so much. The program also is a gateway for further effective partnerships on a global scale."
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“A must-have for arts managers who are grappling with fledgling arts organizations faced with funding issues … A great opportunity to introspect, discuss and clear doubts with top managers from around the world.”
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“This programme will inspire, challenge, and revolutionize you and your organization. Each Fellow comes from a nation with its own challenges culturally, politically, and creatively, but what is shared amongst all present is the belief and passion for the arts and the power of creativity to empower communities and explore and stretch our existence."
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"The Fellowship was a turning point in my career. It afforded me the opportunity to surround myself with peers and mentors who share my passion for building stronger, sustainable arts organizations. Having the time to fully immerse myself in the study and discussion of arts management was a true luxury."
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“The Summer Fellowship for International Arts Managers has completely changed the way I look at my work as an arts manager. Following this experience, my work will be richer, more impactful, and more effective.”
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"Since beginning this program, there is rarely a circumstance I face in my professional life where I don’t pause to consider what I’ve learned through this phenomenal set of colleagues and advisors."
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“The Fellowship is intellectually rigorous, outstandingly well-structured and organized, and enlightening in bringing together a truly global network of arts managers. Insights from Michael Kaiser, Brett Egan, guest speakers, and other Fellows shape my work in the UK from day to day.”
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"The best part about this program is the fact that it’s not just the information that the DeVos Institute is sharing with you, but also the knowledge and the skills that you take from the other Fellows as well. It’s tremendous."
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