Note: In October of 2018, dance scholar and community leader Kayla Harley wrote a PAR Case Study “Keeping Dance Alive After Loss in the U.S. Virgin Islands.” This new article brings the story full circle. It was my first time on a small charter plane. I was leaving the main island of St.Thomas, U.S. Virgin … Read More
Case Studies
City-Wide Emergency Planning
in Las Vegas
The Office of Cultural Affairs for the City of Las Vegas received an emergency planning grant from the Performing Arts Readiness project in 2020 to assist with the development of a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) that would address the needs of the arts community in their city. This COOP may be seen as a … Read More
Reshaping an Organization’s Structure
and Programming with a Focus on Equity
When the Madison Children’s Museum, located on Capitol Square in downtown Madison, Wisconsin, closed in March, 2020, President and CEO Deborah Gilpin had to suspend all programming, lay off 54 of its 70 employees, and cut many remaining positions to 20-hours a week. It was also in the midst of designing a new large outdoor … Read More
Pulling the Strings of Resiliency Planning
As performing arts organizations around the world shut their doors to in-person performances in early 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia was able to take advantage of our existing Digital Learning Department to expand their international virtual audience from 9 countries to over 94 countries. The … Read More
Wildfire Preparedness & Defensible Space
In these unprecedented times, with emergency situations seemingly occurring more than ever before, it is important for performing arts organizations and outdoor festivals to maintain an all-hazards focus when it comes to emergency and disaster preparedness. To stay ahead of the risk, it is useful to engage in continual risk assessment and mitigation projects accordingly. … Read More
Hand Sanitizer: An Unforeseen Fire Risk
In this time of modified operations, businesses and organizations of all types are faced with enormous challenges in labeling anything as “business as usual.” For the performing arts community, this has meant limiting the number of patrons, changing how to reach them, and of course navigating stressful financial realities. Re-opening, in whatever format, has also … Read More
Pivoting Your Programs Increases Possibilities:
A Case Study from Regional Dance America
Regional Dance America (“RDA”) is a nonprofit organization composed of pre-professional dance companies throughout the United States. Its mission is to elevate the future of dance in America – giving dancers new experiences and their directors new perspectives. Every year, RDA provides educational, performance, scholarship, and recruitment opportunities for aspiring dance students as well as … Read More
CARES Act Provides Support
for Artists and Arts Organizations
Two weeks ago, Congress passed the historic CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act), a $2 trillion relief measure designed to provide resources and supports in the wake of the global Covid-19 pandemic confronting the United States and the world. Touching virtually every segment of the US economy, the CARES Act provides three … Read More
The Show Must Go On!
Zabiti Relief Effort
Zabiti: An Immersive Circus Adventure had to cancel their test audience show since their space – a 100 year old building – leaked water and flooded during severe thunderstorms that occurred on August 21. Having heard the sad news, Matthew Ché Kowal and Majestic Collaborations, Inc reached out. Per our agreement with Performing Arts Readiness … Read More
Dancing in the Light: Dance Institute of Washington’s Transformation After the Loss of Its Founder
The Dance Institute of Washington (DIW) is known for its uplifting stories of success and triumph, whether it be a student getting a standing ovation for an impressive solo in a ballet concert, a graduate going on to dance with a company or on Broadway, or a teacher winning an award for their positive impact … Read More