Comments on: (Netflix + YouTube) / (time = money)

By: New Ways of Making Theatre « The Unicorn Triumphant

New Ways of Making Theatre « The Unicorn Triumphant — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 04:36:28 +0000

[...] “(Netflix + YouTube) / (time = money)” looks at an alternative funding model for theatre. The idea is that, instead of charging per activity (e.g. like Blockbuster’s per rental charge), a theatre would offer a monthly membership, which would allow the member access to all the theatre’s events. Since, however, a single ensemble of theatre artists can’t themselves offer the variety of activities that make membership models like Netflix work, they would also open their space up to community organizations (like orchestras, choirs, dance troupes, art shows, etc.), which would provide the rest of the month’s events. They get free space, the members get a lot of bang for their buck, and the theatre is able to make a lot more people aware of its own shows – as well as provide the fertile soil for the growth of art in its community. Where the “(time = money)” part of the equation comes in is Scott’s idea to have participation in the arts center’s activities – whether through simple attendance or through more active participation, like creating an event – count towards the member’s next month’s membership cost. So, the more theatre (or dance or poetry slam) you see, the less you pay. The system rewards participation. [...]

By: The Space « Rocking the Cradle

The Space « Rocking the Cradle — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 01:29:28 +0000

[...] « (Netflix + YouTube) / (time = money) [...]

By: admin

admin — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:15:06 +0000

Indeed, Craige, I think the preliminary legwork prior to opening the art space is crucial. There needs to be a minimum number of subscribers (to be determined according to financial estimates), commitments from a large number of local arts organizations (and remember, these can be of any kind — even a small town has choirs, dance classes, people who play the guitar, etc — and it would be possible to include film in this as well), and commitments from a minimum number of sponsors/advertisers. This is why one aspect of this model is for CRADLE to pay the salaries of the artistic staff for at least a year: to allow them to do the legwork necessary to setting the whole thing up.

By: Craige

Craige — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:02:22 +0000

I think the refund is not only a motivator to attend, but more importantly, it’s a motivator to approve the new taxation. And I agree with the perceived value decreasing with free entry, but if you put a sticker price on the event for non-inhabitants, then it feels like an exclusive perk.

I’d love to pilot both models… But I think it would require buy-in from a number of stakeholders, especially in my scenario. You’d have to guarantee a certain amount of programming, I would think, which would require an already robust arts scene… hmmm…

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:00:13 +0000

I was having breakfast with one of the founders of the Baltimore Node this morning ( http://baltimorenode.org/ ) and realized that although the subject matter is wildly different (performing arts / electronics hacking) the basic principles are exactly the same: bring the power of creativity back into the community. Learn by doing, learn from each other, and reclaim the power to create.

The Baltimore Node is membership-based, and charges 50/month for membership. They started up this summer, and already have 20 members. They operate inexpensively and are in the black, financially.

There are a relatively large number of hacker spaces out there. It might be worth researching what kinds of models they use, which ones are successful, etc.

By: The radar is dotted with memberships – ChrisAshworth.org

The radar is dotted with memberships – ChrisAshworth.org — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:46:16 +0000

[...] to offer a new membership option for next season. In North Carolina, Scott Walters refines a community membership model for Cradle Arts. In Seattle and New York, video crews from OnTheBoards.tv are recording [...]

By: admin

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:44:08 +0000

An interesting idea, Craige. There are some who would say that people who get something for free are less likely to use it or appreciate it. How would you answer that? Also, would you say that the promise of a future refund is as powerful a motivator as the desire to save money? This is really interesting… Maybe we need to pilot both models in different towns and see how things go…

By: Craige

Craige — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:38:21 +0000

Nice…

I’m wondering if there wasn’t actually a membership card you had to buy, but instead everyone that lived in a particular zip code/district got the “access card,” and the project was funded by various public collection systems (e.g. parking meters, property tax, arts and entertainment sales tax), and your level of attendance actually got you a refund at the end of the year.

Benefits:
1. true arts patrons will give more directly to organizations that inspire them.
2. promotes the benefits of living in a particular community, which raises property values making everyone money, which raises property taxes, etc etc.
3. communities share in the cost of beautifying their town.
4. Brings people who would not ordinarily attend into the fold.