There is a wonderful piece on Innovation Leadership: Best practices from theatre creators. It's linked to the image above.
There are a few major points of best practices and I thought I would share them here because they are relevant.
First and foremost is systemic leadership vs. structural leadership. This was the center of the shift and criticism during my time as Chair during the ten months of LADEC. We had an incredible systemic dynamic flowing. And it worked because the environment was consistently changing.
The criticism of a few was that we needed more structure, officers, a bank account. This was never my leaning. And that's because structural leadership was nothing that was working for us. In addition, all outside and experienced advisors suggested we continue with less structure and keep everything creative as conversations and revelations continued.
This goes also to lateral thinking vs. vertical thinking. I thought it was a wonderful summation and I hope you have a chance to read it.
There has also been some confusion, even among reporters, as to titles of organizations on C Street.
To be clear, Resa Moran created an LLC entitled Laurel Factory Art Works. She did this after abruptly losing her job when the Laurel Arts Center closed.
Not too long after Resa shared this idea at a systemic-structured meeting, Karen Isailavic incorporated something called Laurel Factory. I met with Ada to discuss this because it was clear that we all needed to move together with a cohesion. That was the first lesson at our first LADEC meeting. It was also clear that there was some kind of violation of boundaries. Ada's input was that they had a "twin" idea and that we should let them work that out. I stepped away.
Now Abbie with the C Street Art Gallery has given space to Laurel Factory which has often been confused with Laurel Factory Art Works. **This organization is not and has never been connected to the Laurel Arts Center.
Resa Moran
Laurel Factory Art Works
https://www.facebook.com/LaurelFactoryArtWorks
Karen Isailic/Ada Ghuman/Abbie Chessler
Laurel Factory
http://www.laurelfactory.com
***Cease and desist letter pending.***
Laurel Factory produced 16 Saturdays at the C Street Art gallery. This arose unexpectedly. I'd already had a verbal agreement with Abbie that would have brought Molotov Theatre to C Street. We met twice. The first time at Red Hot and Blue and we shook hands about our collaborative project. We met again in her space and Molotov brought their designers in. Not too long after I received an email from Ada saying Abbie told her to contact me. Also, saying she would stay true to our agreement. She did not. In fact, Molotov withdrew and Laurel Factory went on to hold open mic events during matinees at Venus Theatre. Many requests were made for consideration. The needs of Venus were ignored. There was no understanding and no efforts made to understand the issues of noisebleed.
I was simply told no. Point blank. I was told it was not an issue. It compromised our sound design and the experience of our paying audience. An audience I've spent 7 years cultivating.
My largest criticism at this time is that the self-appointed council seems to have no desire to pay artists or to use art as the center of economic development.
They gather volunteers. And, that's different. Venus has been paying artists since 2000 and had hoped the Arts District would be an opportunity to pay these professional artists some kind of living wage.
In addition, LADC seem to have very little, if any, experience in arts management.
Finally, their ability to treat Venus Theatre as an inconvenience makes it impossible for any future collaborations.
I will continue to post information here. Knowledge is power.
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