Report Title:	Intermediary Profile Report
Report Date:

Organization:	ArtsLab	Program ID Number: I-26
Date Profile Created:	June 30, 2009	Date Profile Last Updated: July 30, 2009

Program Summary:
An in-depth, three year learning and technical assistance program, ArtsLab offers diverse activities to strengthen seven nonprofit arts groups in northern Minnesota and nine in urban Minneapolis/St. Paul. A $1.85 million joint venture of the Bush Foundation, the F. R. Bigelow Foundation, Mardag Foundation, The McKnight Foundation and The Saint Paul Foundation, ArtsLab seeks to: (1) increase the leadership pool for tomorrow's arts sector, infusing the 16 participating organizations with leadership and management skill building to promote long term community impact; (2) strengthen the presence of visionary small arts organizations in both urban and rural communities, maximizing their depth and stability; and (3) improve the quality of life in communities using the power of the arts in community development.

The ArtsLab selection panel included state and national representatives with a depth of experience in arts administration and capacity-building in communities of all sizes. Program participants were chosen because of their demonstrated ability to creatively explore their own artistic path, while also probing a deeper understanding of engagement with audiences and their civic community. Those selected from 70 applicants cultivate new artistic aesthetics, reach a breadth of diverse audiences, serve both emerging and mid-career artists, challenge traditional organizational structures and meet a wide range of regional needs.

Each participating organization begins with an organizational assessment and then develops a strategic plan with organizational goals; financial support is tied to success meeting those goals. Participants share ideas and study best practices using peer learning seminars or "Labs," one-to-one consulting, distance learning via webinars, and modest grants (beginning with a grant of $10,000 each). They come together quarterly for peer retreats.

Four dimensions of capacity are focused upon: (1) Leadership Capacity: the ability of organizational leaders to inspire, prioritize, make decisions, provide direction and innovate; (2) Adaptive Capacity: the ability of a nonprofit to monitor, assess and respond to internal and external changes through strategic focus, assessment and evaluation; (3) Management Capacity: the ability to ensure effective and efficient use of organizational resources, with particular focus on financial, funding and audience development tools and skills; and (4) Operational Capacity: the ability to implement key organizational and programmatic functions, through focus on systems and technology

To assist with the program's curriculum, coaching design, training and development, ArtsLab has retained a diverse team of experts. Areas of expertise covered by the curriculum planning team include board development and governance, executive assessment and coaching, staff and volunteer skills-building, conflict management, organizational effectiveness, fundraising, evaluation and strategic planning, financial management, social change and community engagement, community development, marketing and communications and media relations.

Thorough evaluation is taking place throughout the project, using an external evaluator with significant experience in the arts, and information learned will be shared broadly.