Cultural Organizations Doing Things Differently

Across the country, we are seeing inspiring examples of organizations pursuing the journey of innovation with persistence, creativity and results.

Because innovation projects tend to span over an extended period of time, we're in the unique position of being able to see them evolve during the process from early brainstorming and planning stages to prototyping to formal launches.

Read more about some of the recent projects our partners are working on, along with related news items and updates about their progress:

Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Offering year-round theater and more than 800 classes in visual arts, dance, music and humanities.

Curious Theatre Company
Bringing provocative new work and boundary-crossing experiences to Denver.

New Dramatists
Transforming the role of their resident playwrights from being served by the staff to co-creating their own residency experience.

Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company and Dance Theater Workshop
A merger of two dance organizations to form a new entity

MAPP International Productions
The Cultural Investor Program tests a new paradigm in patronage and public engagement

Children's Theatre Company
Kidcentricity aims to not just include young people in the artistic process of creating a production, but to put them at the center

STREB/SLAM
Choreographer Elizabeth Streb's dance company launched Teen Action Club for young people, ages 13 to 18

The Civilians
The Brooklyn, NY-based company used interactive media techniques to engage audiences in the production and the artistic process of creating a work

HERE Arts Center
HERE developed HERE: On Demand, fully integrated tools and techniques for connecting artists with audiences, and building an online community

Center of Creative Arts (COCA)
COCA launched a program using arts teaching to develop the creative capacities of corporate business leaders

Oregon Shakespeare Festival
A new online tool, developed by OSF, provides a virtual workspace for collaboration among artists, designers and directors working on productions

University Musical Society (UMS)
UMS expanded its concept of "lobby" beyond physical space, creating a virtual lobby that interfaces with activities in UMS's three physical lobbies.

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA)
YBCA redesigned its cultural engagement practices to change the experience visitors have when coming into its space.

Oakland Museum of California
A museum that can better reflect the range of ideas that give California its vitality and connect the public to California's cultural and environmental significance