Shows
The Offstage MicThe Time Management Lie Holding Back Arts ExecutivesIf your days as an arts leader are consumed by never-ending to-do lists, last-minute fires, and reactive work—this episode is your call to break the cycle. In this Season 5 finale, we dig into a leadership struggle that nearly every arts executive, administrator, and manager faces: the battle between the urgent and the important. Through honest reflection, personal experience, and practical tools, we unpack why time management in arts leadership isn’t just about productivity—it’s about reclaiming your role as a strategic visionary. You’ll learn how to identify the 20% of your work that drives real impact...2025-04-1534 minThe Offstage MicMajor Gifts ≠ Financial Sustainability: Why Monthly Giving Is the Game-Changer for your Arts OrganizationOne of the biggest mistakes arts organizations make is over relying on major donors. In this penultimate episode of the season, Aubrey Bergauer talks with Dana Snyder—author of The Monthly Giving Mastermind—about why major gifts alone won’t save your organization’s financial future. Together, they explore how a strong monthly giving program isn’t just smart strategy; it’s sustainable, reliable, and rooted in digital marketing best practices.Learn how moving just 2% more charitable donations to monthly giving could unlock $9 billion in recurring revenue. Discover why recurring donors give 42% more per year, and how to build a d...2025-04-0838 minThe Offstage MicHow to Level Up Operations at Your Arts OrganizationDoes managing operations at your arts organization feel tedious or unwieldy? Maybe you know your internal processes need a boost, but don’t you know where to begin. Good news: It’s actually more simple than you think. This episode, Aubrey talks about the Kaizen Method of sustained, incremental change. If it feels like you’re trying to turn a big ship, instead of letting perfect be the enemy of good, start by testing out small changes to see what yields the biggest results. This episode tells you how. The Offstage Mic is made possible by Artelize: their A...2025-04-0135 min
The Scene RoomAubrey Bergauer — Running Your Arts Organization Like a BusinessSend us a textImagine doubling your audience size and quadrupling your donor base in today's challenging arts landscape. That's exactly what Aubrey Bergauer accomplished at the California Symphony by applying business principles to arts administration — and now she's sharing her playbook with us. Her bestselling book, Run It Like a Business, packs all these insights into one powerful guide!Aubrey's journey into arts administration began at the age of 16 when she realized there were careers beyond performance in the orchestra world. Twenty years later, she's revolutionizing how arts organizations approach audience development through data-driven st...2025-03-2731 minThe Offstage Mic5 Steps to Using UX Design in Arts ManagementFor arts organizations, the vast majority of your audience is not subscribers and donors; over 90% of your patrons are the ones who come and go, never to engage with another performance again. How can arts administrators capture that large segment of their audience base and stop the churn? Redesign the user experience. This episode, Aubrey talks with UX and product designer, Linda Hsieh Logston. She shares five steps to applying UX design to arts management. The Offstage Mic is made possible by Artelize: their Audience Retention Dashboard is the one-stop place to access your audience data across e...2025-03-2551 minThe Offstage MicThe Research Behind Gender Bias in the ArtsWomen in arts administration make up over half of the workforce. Yet arts leadership roles — on stage and off — are still male dominated. This episode, Aubrey shares some shocking statistics from the field and explains why this paradox is so common in arts organizations (Hint: it's not just about getting more women in the C-suite; the problem starts earlier than you might think). And most important, how arts administrators can change their systems to address gender bias in their own institutions. The Offstage Mic is made possible by Artelize: their Audience Retention Dashboard is the one-stop place to acc...2025-03-1830 minThe Offstage MicHow to Build Your Arts Marketing BudgetMarketing has changed so much for arts administrators in recent years that you might not know how to maximize your marketing budget these days. What percentage should you allocate? What marketing channels are the most effective this year? How much should you spend? This episode, Aubrey explains how to think strategically about reaching the audience you want—and how to budget for it. The Offstage Mic is made possible by Artelize: their Audience Retention Dashboard is the one-stop place to access your audience data across every important metric. And also by Annual Fund Toolkit: they’ve built a sup...2025-03-1135 minThe Offstage MicHarnessing Data At Your Arts OrganizationUnderstanding patron data can be daunting, confusing, or even cringeworthy for arts administrators. But your data is an asset, and arts organizations are leaving thousands of dollars on the table when you don’t fully harness it. The good news is understanding and utilizing your data is not hard when done right. It’s all about creating systems to make your data work for you. This episode, Aubrey talks with arts administrator and Changing the Narrative Program Director Stephanie Stallings about working smarter not harder, so you can use data to track and grow your patron retention. The O...2025-03-0441 minThe Offstage MicHow to Transform Patrons to Donors with Tailored MessagingFor arts administrators, donor development often means soliciting as many patrons as possible, as soon as possible, without accounting for their unique needs. This may glean some revenue in the short term, but what about next season? Someone coming to a show once to check it off their bucket list is not the same as the season subscriber or donor who’s bought-in because they have a tried and true relationship with your organization. This episode, Aubrey talks about how tailoring your messaging to build audience relationships is the fruitful key that transforms first-time patrons into loyal donors. T...2025-02-2550 minThe Offstage MicApply These 7 Research-backed Skills to Grow Your Leadership in Arts ManagementAdvancing in arts leadership can be tricky, because what got you to where you are now likely won’t get you to where you want to be. In the final part of this bonus series, Aubrey gives you real-world examples of the seven researched-backed steps to advancing your career in arts management. Then, she guides you through a visioning exercise to identify the conditions and behaviors needed to become the arts leader you want to be. 2024-12-1059 minThe Offstage Mic8 Negotiation Strategies to Advance in Arts LeadershipImagine negotiating the salary and benefits you know you deserve as an arts leader. Or going to the bargaining table for union negotiations, and all parties come out satisfied. In Part 2 of this bonus series, Aubrey dives deep into an important skill necessary to growing your leadership: the art of negotiation. Spoiler alert: it’s not all about the money. Then she builds upon the visioning in Part 1, helping you understand the difference between the work you’re good at vs. the work that will let your true genius shine. 2024-12-031h 00The Offstage MicThings They Never Taught You About Growing Your Leadership in Arts ManagementThere’s a lot about arts leadership most of us were never taught. And you can’t win a game if you don’t know the rules. So we’re bringing you three bonus episodes from our recent training series, “They Never Taught You That: How to Grow Your Career in Arts Management.” This is Part 1, where Aubrey shares the seven research-backed steps to growing your leadership in arts management. She also offers some reflection prompts, so you can tailor the research to your specific work in the arts. 2024-11-261h 11
CI to EyeWhy Audiences Aren't Coming Back and How to Fix ItIn today’s post-pandemic world, keeping our audiences engaged and organizations financially healthy can feel like an uphill battle. Changing audience behaviors have disrupted traditional marketing strategies, and high churn rates among first-time visitors, subscribers, and donors are slowing revenue growth. But what if there’s a way forward that breaks from the traditional playbook? In this episode, CI President Priya Iyer Doshi sits down with industry leader Aubrey Bergauer to discuss her new book, Run It Like A Business. Aubrey draws inspiration from outside the arts to rethink how organizations can boost relevance, drive revenue, and bett...2024-11-2147 min
Inclusive STAGES: Building Healthy Arts SpacesRun a Thriving Arts Business in a Post-Pandemic Era with Aubrey BergauerSend Kira a text message!There’s a business case to be made for theater companies and arts organizations. We need to fill the seats with more dedicated theater lovers and friends. To do that, it’s important to be inclusive of the community we serve, think outside the box, and consider how we can welcome new audience members in a thoughtful, sustainable way. Aubrey Bergauer joins me for this conversation, where she shares more about the math of diversity, the untapped potential of the subscription economy, and the best approach to change management! Enjoy the show, frie...2024-10-2945 min
The Daily Author#113: Aubrey Bergauer — Run It Like a BusinessIn this episode of “The Daily Author”, our guest Aubrey Bergauer is a seasoned consultant with a passion for helping arts organizations thrive. She released her first book in February 2024 titled, Run It Like a Business: Strategies for Arts Organizations to Increase Audiences, Remain Relevant, and Multiply Money-Without Losing the Art.
We discussed her journey of transitioning from working with orchestras to running her own consulting business.
We covered her ongoing focus on the business side of her craft and hinted at future projects.
Please enjoy!
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Foll...2024-10-2326 minThe Offstage MicClimbing The Ladder to Executive Director and Creating A Kick Ass Culture On The Way [Success Series]Working your way up in arts admin can feel like an uphill battle, but it doesn’t have to be a fight! In the final episode of the season, arts administrator Chelsea Chambers at the Peninsula Symphony talks about working her way up to executive director. Hear how realizing that “I don’t have all the answers” helped her climb the ladder to ED and create a kickass company culture along the way. Guest: Chelsea Chambers, Executive Director of the Peninsula Symphony2024-10-2249 minThe Offstage MicHow An Arts Administrator Found Her Confidence Because of This One Statistic [Success Series]Ever heard the saying, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take?” What if we told you that when it comes to jobs they’re not 100 percent qualified for, white men are more likely than women and people of color to apply anyway? This was the statistic that made today’s guest decide to take her shot. Hear how an early version of the Uplevel professional development program – and the community of people within it – helped her find confidence, overcome imposter syndrome, and land the job she wanted. Guest: Jo Griffin, Recruitment Specialist at the Banff Centre fo...2024-10-1536 minThe Offstage Mic‘Fake It Till You Become It’: Level Up Your Leadership With Power and PresenceEver feel like you’re not quite giving off the confidence you know you should be as a leader in the arts? Social psychologist Amy Cuddy says it may have something to do with your “presence” – a sort of “self-assured enthusiasm.” Today, we get into her research on presence as an incredible indicator of leadership success, from how you come off to your colleagues to whether people you meet trust you. Hear how to tap into your personal power and harness it to lead. Hint: it can start with something as simple as changing your physical posture. For more on t...2024-10-0843 minThe Offstage MicHow One Conductor Learned You Can’t be Everything to Everyone [Success Series]What is your unique purpose as an arts administrator? How do you find the courage to lead with purpose once you know? Carlos Cordero is a conductor, new choral music advocate, singer and self-proclaimed “great hug-giver.” But he started off with a broad, more generic vision that wasn’t connecting with audiences the way he wanted to. As a gay Latinx immigrant artist, Carlos did some soul searching and clarified his mission: to advocate for the LGBTQ+ and immigrant community through his brand, The Happy Choir, and his professional Tenor-Bass choir, Un/heard. Hear how Carlos learned that you can’t...2024-10-0137 minThe Offstage MicHow One Arts Administrator Went From “I Couldn’t Land an Internship” to Multiple Job Offers [Success Series]“Closed mouths don’t get fed.” This is the mantra that Paula Wilson has led with, basically since day one of her arts administration journey. Like many of us in this field, she started off as a musician and realized that wasn’t for her. But when she transitioned into administration, she couldn’t seem to land the right internship. This episode, Paula shares how resourcefulness, mentorship, and finding her niche helped her end up with multiple job offers to do the work she loves.Guest: Paula Wilson, Member Services and Communications Manager at Equity Arc2024-09-2436 minThe Offstage MicHow One Arts Administrator Went From Wanting to Quit the Industry To Landing Her Dream Job [Success Series]“Convince me to stay.” This is what Allison Lambacher told Aubrey after years in arts administration and being totally burnt out. If you’ve been in the industry long enough, you’ve probably been ready to throw in the towel at least once. "But you are not alone and the narrative is changing". Hear how Allison – now Associate Director of Digital Engagement with the St. Louis Symphony – used arts management tools from Uplevel to go from being ready to quit the industry to advocating for herself and landing her dream job. Guest: Allison Lambacher, Associate Director of Digital Engage...2024-09-1737 minThe Offstage MicHow to Create a Healthy Company Culture at Your Arts OrganizationInnovative, inclusive, collaborative – these are some of the top traits of a healthy company culture. Last episode, we identified the toxic traits you may be dealing with at your arts organization. This episode, we talk about how you can renovate your company culture, based on the book “Culture Renovation” by Kevin Oakes, CEO of i4cp. And guess what: you don’t have to burn it all down and start over; here’s how to identify what’s working and build on that. For more insights on this, check out this past episode with Kevin Oakes himself. 2024-09-1040 minThe Offstage MicYour Company Culture May Be ToxicBureaucratic, disrespectful, chaotic, complacent. Sound familiar? If you would use these words to describe the culture at your organization, you and your colleagues may be working in a toxic environment. This episode is part one of two: First, we get into the top nine traits causing toxicity in company culture, based on the book “Culture Renovation” by Kevin Oakes, CEO of i4cp. In the next episode, we get into the blueprint for building a healthier culture at your organization. For more insights on this, check out this past episode with Kevin Oakes himself. 2024-09-0337 minThe Offstage MicBonus Episode: The Problem with Data I See Everywhere in Arts ManagementData is one of the most powerful tools you can use in arts management to increase patron retention. But how do you know which metrics to track? How do you find the time to stay on top of key performance indicators? Over several years of experience, from my first job at the Seattle Symphony to becoming an executive director and developing the 'Long Haul Model', I can now identify the main, underlying problem most arts organizations run into when thinking about their data. And I brought in some folks to help me talk about it. In...2024-07-091h 09The Offstage MicHow to Lead Change at an Arts OrganizationWe wrap up season 3 with one of my most requested topics of all time: the topic of how to lead change. If you ever find yourself asking questions like ‘How do I get buy-in from my board?’ or ‘Where do I even begin when it comes to implementing new ways of doing business in my arts organization?’, this episode is for you. We talk about what the experts say about fear of change, resistance to change, and other barriers to change; debunk three big myths about change; and share five things that actually work to drive change effective...2024-06-1150 min
Enhance Life with MusicEp. 184: Run It Like a Business – Proven strategies to grow your audience and sustainably fund your art; with Aubrey BergauerAubrey Bergauer helps organizations optimize the business side of the arts: grow audiences and donor bases, build relevance and visibility, utilize technology to elevate and extend the brand, and ultimately generate the revenue needed to sustainably fund the art that’s produced. Discover how Aubrey doubled the audience and quadrupled the donor base at the California Symphony, and learn key strategies from her new book, Run It Like a Business: Strategies for Arts Organizations to Increase Audiences, Remain Relevant, and Multiply Money – Without Losing the Art. Whether you're in music, museums, theaters, or beyond, this episode is packed with insi...2024-06-0436 minThe Offstage MicBuilding a Business to Scale: Changes at Changing the NarrativeEvery episode this season has focused on business strategies that apply to arts management, such as patron retention, leveraging the subscription and membership economy, ecommerce, and digital content (to name a few!).And in this episode, we look at how these strategies apply to my own business, Changing the Narrative—and how those same strategies have guided the evolution of my business over the last year or so as we’ve scaled up. We walk through my personal experience with growing Changing the Narrative, including the areas I needed to step away from...2024-05-2859 minThe Offstage MicThe No Cost Solution to Grow Your RevenueCopywriting is one of the most important tools you can use to boost ticket sales, donations, and revenue across various platforms. And the best part is—it costs $0 to update the words you use.In this episode, learn five actionable tips on how creating small, emotional connections through specific language creates a big and lasting impact on your revenue. Hone your copywriting skills as a no cost tool to grab your patrons’ attention, fill those seats, and bring in more donations.2024-05-1440 minThe Offstage MicDo This One Thing to Make the Biggest Difference in Your Sales and FundraisingFor anyone who asks, “What’s the one thing I can do to increase revenue, ticket sales, audiences and donations,” this episode has your answer: copywriting.For almost every arts organization, writing better, stronger copy is the free solution to upgrade every public facing channel you have, from website to program book, social media to fundraising appeals, subscription brochures to press releases.The words you use are so powerful, and harnessing better copywriting is key to making every word work harder for you.This episode covers four tips f...2024-04-3044 minThe Offstage MicMajor Gift Fundraising & Star Trek with Board Member Susan Bay NimoyMajor gifts are critical for every arts organization. This episode features board member and major gift philanthropist Susan Bay Nimoy, wife of the late actor Leonard Nimoy (most known for his role as Spock on Star Trek, and yes, we talk about it!). We cover all things major gifts, including relationship building, how that takes time, and what the process is that compels her as a major donor to give generously.Susan Bay Nimoy has served on the board of many arts organizations, including the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, Symphony Space in New York, The Museum...2024-04-1645 min
The Business of GivingDisrupting Classical Music: The Bold Moves That Tripled Donors & Filled Seats
The following is a conversation between Aubrey Bergauer, author of Run It Like a Business: Strategies for Arts Organizations to Increase Audiences, Remain Relevant, and Multiply Money Without Losing the Art, and Denver Frederick, the Host of The Business of Giving.
Aubrey Bergauer is a trailblazer in the classical music world, known for her innovative approaches to arts administration. As a former Executive Director of the California Symphony, Aubrey achieved remarkable success in growing audiences and fundraising.
2024-04-1233 minThe Offstage MicThe Math of Diversity: How Much Your Audience Can Grow When It Looks Like Your CommunityThe need for diversity in our audience and for the audience to reflect the community is a hot topic in the arts these days. And rightfully so. There is a moral imperative to do this work at arts organizations, but I am also a fan of the business case for diversity. And in this episode, we are talking about what the numbers look like if and when the audience actually does look like the community — and wow, is there money on the table when the audience becomes more diverse.This episode looks at...2024-04-0244 min
Inspired Nonprofit LeadershipWhy You Should "Run It Like A Business" My guest for this episode is Aubrey Bergauer. Aubrey is known for her results-driven, customer-centric, data-obsessed pursuit of changing the narrative for the performing arts. A “dynamic administrator” with a drive for innovation, she’s held offstage roles managing millions in revenue at major institutions, including the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, Bumbershoot Music & Arts Festival, and San Francisco Conservatory of Music. As chief executive of the California Symphony, Aubrey propelled the organization to double the size of its audience and nearly quadrupled the donor base. Aubrey helps organizations and individuals transform from scarcity to opportunity, make money, and grow...2024-03-2838 min
Missions to MovementsHow a Strategic Audience Journey Doubled the California Symphony's Attendees & Quadrupled DonorsIs it time to reimagine your donor pipeline? With a track record of doubling crowds and quadrupling donors for the California Symphony, Aubrey Bergauer has been likened to the Steve Jobs of classical music.In her tenure from 2014-2019 as Executive Director, she walked into the role during a state of financial crisis and alarming churn rates. Why were 80% of first-time donors not renewing and 90% of first-time buyers not coming back to see another show? There had to be a better way.My conversation with Aubrey is a...2024-03-2736 minThe Offstage MicThe Business of Zoos and Visitor-Based Institutions with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Past Chair Javade ChaudhriHow arts and culture organizations can use advocacy to drive awareness for your cause and brand, even when you’re not a global, visitor-based institution.The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is known as an international nonprofit conservation organization with an annual budget over $400 million and thousands of staff and employees. They have two local front doors — the San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park — in addition several eco-regional “hubs” around the world.The global work of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is helping the entire ecosystem, and this conversation with immediate past Board C...2024-03-1953 min
Download High-Quality Full Audiobooks in Business & Economics, Business & Career DevelopmentRun It Like a Business: Strategies for Arts Organizations to Increase Audiences, Remain Relevant, and Multiply Money--Without Losing the Art by Aubrey BergauerPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/741376to listen full audiobooks.
Title: Run It Like a Business: Strategies for Arts Organizations to Increase Audiences, Remain Relevant, and Multiply Money--Without Losing the Art
Author: Aubrey Bergauer
Narrator: Shaina Summerville
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 9 hours 21 minutes
Release date: March 19, 2024
Ratings: Ratings of Book: 5 of Total 1
Ratings of Narrator: 5 of Total 1
Genres: Business & Career Development
Publisher's Summary:
In the US alone, the arts are a $763 billion sector whose 100,000+ organizations serve almost every community in the nation. There's no reason arts organizations should struggle to make ends meet. Running your arts organization like a b...2024-03-199h 21The Offstage MicThe Subscription Model Is Not Dead: 3 Ways to Grow Subscriptions at Your Arts OrganizationThe subscription model is thriving everywhere else besides the arts—to the tune of 20% of all consumer credit card transactions now go to subscriptions and memberships. So why then, are subscriptions and donations on the decline in the arts?It turns out, there are three big things these successful brands are doing differently than arts organizations. This episode breaks it down, as well as offers ways to implement these ideas.Get your free resource for this episode: 3 Reasons Your Subscriptions are Declining & 11 Ways to Combat It. 00:00 Introduction to Season Three of T...2024-03-0536 min
Decoding Cultural LeadershipEpisode 6. Aubrey Bergauer: How to Run it Like a BusinessAubrey Bergauer is a true changemaker in the world of performing arts management. Hailed as ‘the Steve Jobs of classical music’ (Observer) and ‘the Sheryl Sandberg of the symphony’ (LA Review of Books), Aubrey Bergauer is known for her results-driven, customer-centric, data-obsessed pursuit of changing the narrative for the performing arts. Her legendary achievements as CEO of the California Symphony included doubling the size of its audience and nearly quadrupling its donor base. In 2019, she stepped into a different role as a sought-after speaker, writer, consultant and thought leader, bringing her progressive, results-driven, customer-centric, data-obsess...2024-03-0356 minThe Offstage MicSeason 3 Trailer: Run It Like A BusinessThis season on The Offstage Mic we are talking about strategies to combat the challenges in the cultural sector borrowed from the business world that have proven successful across patron retention, subscriptions, ecommerce, raising money, and digital content (to name a few).And throughout the season, I’m occasionally bringing in some people who know the business world quite well to help me break it down: board members of our orchestras, operas, ballets, theaters, museums, zoos, and more.These are the people governing our cultural institutions, who also have incredible professional experience ou...2024-02-2007 minThe Offstage MicBonus Episode: Run It Like A Business—Book Launch Conversation with Kelly HarrisYesterday was publication day for my new book, Run It Like A Business: Strategies for Arts Organizations to Increase Audiences, Remain Relevant, and Multiply Money—Without Losing the Art.To celebrate, we put together something special for you: a live show we recorded just last night at the book launch party here in San Francisco. It’s a conversation with myself and Kelly Harris, Executive Director of Haight Street Art Center.The book and our conversation is for people and arts organizations who want to:Grow audiences and keep them coming back...2024-02-0829 min
HERo TalkAubrey Bergauer TalkWe are back with season 3 and kicking it off with Aubrey Bergauer (better known as "the Steve Jobs of classical music) who is making big waves in orchestral management, fundraising, and promoting the arts. Learn more about her at her website https://www.aubreybergauer.com/ and buy her new book "Run It Like a Business" to learn more about how to grow your own arts organization. 2024-02-0239 min
The Musician Centric PodcastRevolutionizing Music: From the Stage to Arts Administration with Aubrey BergauerStories? Questions? Thoughts? TEXT us here!In this episode, we welcome the dynamic Aubrey Bergauer, the brilliant mind behind the upcoming book 'Run it Like a Business.' Aubrey brings a fresh and thought-provoking perspective to our conversation, shedding new light on arts administration, nonprofit organizations, and her unique strategies for building and retaining arts audiences. With a passion for working offstage to bring performing arts to life, Aubrey's insights are sure to ignite your imagination for the future of our field.As we delve deeper into the realm of arts administration, we highlight the c...2023-10-1157 min
Music WorksEpisode 6.14 Changing the Narrative for the Performing ArtsIn this special episode, Music Works is delighted to welcome Aubrey Bergauer in an important discussion about ways of creating a better way forward for the music industry.
Hailed as “the Steve Jobs of classical music” (Observer), Aubrey is known for her impressive work with numerous arts organisations and beyond. In this episode, Aubrey will share her experience, tips and recommendations, including what constitutes the elements of success for orchestras.
To find out more about Aubrey and her work, visit: www.aubreybergauer.com
To pre-order Aubrey's new book, "Run it Like a Business", on how t...2023-09-0725 minThe Offstage MicWe Are On the Same Team: Union Relationships and Collective Bargaining in the Arts with Ted Nelson and Jessica PhillipsWhat works and what doesn’t at the bargaining table with unions in arts and culture. Cellist Ted Nelson served as chair of the players committee at the Cincinnati Symphony, and clarinetist Jessica Phillips served as players committee chair at the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Both worked toward collaborative and creative agreements, and in this final episode of the season, they share first-hand about their experience.What needs to happen before negotiations ever begin, how training musicians serving in these important roles is critical, and their thoughts on streaming contracts going forward so together we can make the pi...2023-07-181h 05The Offstage MicAttracting & Retaining Staff Talent with Karen FreemanTalent acquisition and the state of the workforce in arts and culture is shifting. More Baby Boomers are nearing retirement, more Gen-Z workers are entering the labor force, the Millennials and Gen-Xers are changing their relationship with work and their thoughts around remote or flexible work options.National research from Advisory Board for the Arts shows the top driver of employee satisfaction and talent retention in the arts is no longer reputation for artistic excellence, but a strong and healthy company culture. Karen Freeman, who has a background as a player, as...2023-07-0446 minThe Offstage MicHow to Release Recordings without a Label with Mike Warner & Jamie FreedmanYou no longer need a label to release digital recordings for streaming. Today, any ensemble of any size can take advantage of the way recording and distribution has changed and release directly to streaming platforms.In this episode, Aubrey is joined by two experts — Mike Warner, Head of Editorial Marketing Partnerships - North America at Believe, and Jamie Freedman, Head of Classical Programming at Pandora — to talk through the play by play (stream by stream?!)They cover topics including how an ensemble can self-release, how an organization can be empowered to do your...2023-06-2050 min
The Conductor's PodcastS2E3: How to Kill your Diversity StatementDiversity Statement has become a more and more frequently asked application material. No matter you are applying for a music directorship or an educational role, the organization very often is interested in knowing your vision on diversity, inclusion, and equity.
Feeling stuck as a straight white man (or anything else)? No worries, let me show you how to kill your diversity vision, and how to revive it.
Best Ways to Kill Your Diversity Statement:
Claiming that "I have a friend / daughter-son / husband-wife / student who is XXX (fill in any gender, race, color,...) so I am such a diversity...2023-06-1222 minThe Offstage MicStorytelling Techniques with Hollywood Producer Marcia Gwendolyn JonesTell the stories of your arts organization and artists with tips and techniques from former Pixar Hollywood producer. Marcia Gwendolyn Jones, the producing force behind blockbuster animated films Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo, and PAW Patrol: The Movie.Aubrey and Marcia cover what bringing a script to the screen has in common with bringing performances to the stage, expert storytelling tips to apply to your own stories at arts organizations, and the highs and lows of storytelling: what are the best things about storytelling? What’s the biggest challenge?Pretty much any brand th...2023-06-0644 min
The Conductor's PodcastS2E2: The Most Important Thing about your Zoom InterviewZoom Interviews are now more common since Covid - and organizations are often skipping the traditional phone interview and conduct a zoom interview for shortlisted candidates instead.
If you've had unsuccessful zoom interviews in the past, you want to do a quick self-check and see if you've got it right, and know the purpose of the interview: to obtain enough interest in order advance to the next round
Some Zoom Interview Setting Tips from my friend Tim Verville:
Set up a nice corner with good light (not natural light) and and an appropriate background
Establish your brand with y...2023-05-2922 minThe Offstage MicTraining Artists to be Social Media Influencers with David TaylorThe influencer industry is worth billions of dollars and growing because consumers trust people more than brands these days. Arts organizations have a built-in influencer army—our artists—and we can train them on digital content and social media.In this episode, Aubrey brings in David Taylor, who worked with the Philharmonia in London to do just this. We'll hear the case study of what they did, what worked and what didn't, and some unexpected results they saw.Get David’s book, The Future of Classical Music - Part 1: A collection of articl...2023-05-2347 minThe Offstage MicOrganizational Design in the Arts with Julian ChenderHow to update the organization structure of your arts organizations to be more productive, break down silos, and better do the work. Hear from Julian Chender, an expert in organization design through his work at Accenture as well as his own company he founded. Together, Aubrey and Julian look at the challenges with the existing structure that's been in place at most arts organizations for the last 40+ years, and how to design the organization for goals that affect everyone going forward.Links· Organization design article Julian and Aubrey co-authored.· ...2023-05-0938 minThe Offstage MicMonetizing Streaming Performances with Zenetta DrewHow to monetize streaming performances for new and alternate revenue streams for your arts organization well beyond the pandemic. In a world where many arts organization have struggled to make money with streaming and digital content, or stopped streaming altogether, here’s one organization still streaming and making lots of money from it—and growing their audience, too.Learn more about Dallas Black Dance Theatre.Drew's article for the Wallace Foundation: Can Pandemic Be Catalyst for New Global Arts Ecology?2023-04-2542 minThe Offstage MicIncreasing Fundraising Revenue with Louis DiezFor development folks in the arts who want to increase fundraising revenue and reverse the trends of declining donor households. As more organizations are facing the national trend of donor households down, dollar goals up, Louis Diez is a thought leader with results to back it up across both higher education and classical music. Learn more about the Donor Participation Project Louis founded: JoinDPP.orgFollow Louis on LinkedIn for great fundraising thought leadership and ideas.2023-04-1132 min
Podium TimeFour things you should NEVER say to a classical music audience, with Aubrey BergauerToday, we talk about what conductors and musical leaders can do to connect with audiences and welcome new people into the concert hall.This is part two of our talk with Aubrey Bergauer about Building Back Audiences. Part one is about the state of the classical music industry and what changes institutions can make to help build audiences.Watch the full video of this interview on our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@podiumtimepodLearn more about Aubrey Bergauer at AubreyBergauer.com01:27 - How can conductors make our concerts more accessible to...2023-03-3028 minThe Offstage MicThe Subscription Economy and What the Arts Can Learn From It with Robbie Kellman BaxterWhy is the subscription model thriving in just about every consumer-facing sector yet in the arts is on the decline? Aubrey takes this question to Robbie Kellman Baxter, the world’s leading expert on subscription models. Aubrey and Robbie explore four areas where the arts are doing it differently, and what we can do to update our own practices to maximize the important revenue streams we need: subscriptions, memberships, and donations.Resources:The Forever TransactionThe Membership Economy2023-03-2839 minThe Offstage MicGrowing New Audiences through Customer-Centric Arts Marketing with Ruth HarttMarketing that focuses on the art or artists is no longer effective for sales. Instead, marketing that focuses on the customer grows sales revenue.That's because today, audiences “hire” organizations to solve a problem, meet a need, or do a job they need done in their life. This is the premise of Jobs to Be Done Theory, developed by Harvard Business Professor Clayton Christensen.In this episode, Clayton Christensen Institute Chief of Staff Ruth Hartt joins Aubrey to talk about the Jobs to Be Done framework through an arts marketing lens.Ru...2023-03-1440 minThe Offstage MicCompany Culture and How to Renovate It with Kevin OakesLearn the top findings from one of the largest studies ever conducted on company culture and how it applies to the arts.Best-selling author Kevin Oakes is the CEO and founder of the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp), the leading human capital research company in the world, and he shares how high-performance organizations we’ve all heard of have successfully changed organizational culture. We don’t have to be giant behemoth orgs or flush with cash to make inroads on culture. A point Kevin emphasizes with actionable advice on how we can keep p...2023-02-2834 minThe Offstage MicSeason 2 Trailer: The Offstage MicSeason two is here! You all were so fantastic during the pilot season, so now we’re back for season two — this time with a team of awesome women audio engineers and musicians working behind the scenes to make this come together for you. And that’s extra fitting because this whole season is about how the narrative is changing in the arts. We are at an inflection point for arts organizations: audiences are down from pre-pandemic levels, subscriptions on the decline, still confronting systemic discrimination and working to diversify, trying to attract and retain talent...2023-02-1408 min
Podium TimeWhy 90% of audiences never come back - with Aubrey Bergauer We are joined by THE Aubrey Bergauer to talk about why classical musicians and organizations must make big changes to survive in our new world.We talk about the trends in the classical music industry, why we must redefine who we think of as our audiences, how to program for audience building and retention, and how to change the concert experience to get first-time audiences to come again. Watch the full video of this interview on our Youtube channel.Learn more about Aubrey Bergauer at AubreyBergauer.com00:00 Intro00:22 Introducing Aubrey Be...2022-10-0324 min
The Conductor's PodcastYour Favorite Thing about What You DoHi there! Happy end of September and welcome to episode no.9 of the Conductor’s Podcast Wisdom series, a new series full of shared life experiences and, of course, wisdom! This series is aired on the last Thursday of each month, and in each episode, I am going to pose a question to 10 musicians, conductors, or business gurus. So including myself, you will hear all the goodies from a wide variety of people, thus called the wisdom series. Now, without further ado, let’s get started.This month’s question that I am asking my people...2022-09-2917 minThe Offstage MicBonus Episode: Should musicians be on the board?The job of the board at a non-profit organization is to govern, and governing an institution of which you’re an employee can be a conflict of interest. Instead, when thinking if a musician should be on the board, ask what the goals are we’re trying to achieve. Engagement? Information sharing? Both those things can and should happen without a board seat — and both those things should not be relegated to only one or two musicians.2022-09-0727 min
The Conductor's PodcastYour Morning RoutineHi there! Happy end of August and welcome to episode no.8 of the Conductor’s Podcast Wisdom series, a new series full of shared life experiences and, of course, wisdom! This series is aired on the last Thursday of each month, and in each episode, I am going to pose a question to 10 musicians, conductors, or business gurus. So including myself, you will hear all the goodies from a wide variety of people, thus called the wisdom series. Now, without further ado, let’s get started.This month’s question that I am asking my peo...2022-08-2520 min
The Conductor's PodcastAubrey Bergauer on HiringHappy August to you!August, for me, is the mark of a new beginning. As we ready ourselves for a new journey, this episode will surely give you a boost of new learnings for the new generation. Today, Aubrey Bergauer graces the show with her expertise in human resources, organizational culture, strategizing guests to be patrons, diversity and inclusivity to “changing the narrative”. She also emphasizes the importance of matching on-stage talent with off-stage talent. Sit back, relax and start a new journey with her in...2022-08-111h 07
Podium TimeIntroducing Season 7: "Building Back Audiences"Hey there! We are building into our new season on "Building Back Audiences" and we want to know what questions you have that we can answer!Reach out to us on our website, Facebook, Instagram, or by email and let us know what you want to know about building back audiences, being relevant, and building your ensembles a solid base for the future.Aubrey Bergauer's Orchestra X research on the audience experience.Support the show2022-08-1003 minThe Offstage MicHow to Handle Office Challenges: Turnover, Toxicity, MicroaggressionsPro tips on how to address employee turnover, toxic workplace culture, and microagressions like when a man interrupts you while speaking. This episode looks at how to show up as your authentic self back in the office when there is such a narrow view of what “professionalism” looks like.These questions are all addressed in this final episode of season one. It’s raw, it’s vulnerable, and all of that feels like a good note to close out this pilot project season.Thanks to everyone who's listened. We’d love to hear from you if you enj...2022-08-1038 minThe Offstage MicHow to Use Data in the Arts Like they Do in "Moneyball"How arts organizations can use data and analytics to build audiences and enhance artistic decision-making. Plus how a small arts organization can use data, not just the big institutions.This episode covers questions that were asked in a recent interview with San Francisco Classical Voice all about how arts organizations could use data and analytics like Billy Bean and the Oakland A’s did in Moneyball.Special thanks to San Francisco Classical Voice for covering this topic and for graciously allowing this conversation to be shared with you here....2022-07-2735 min
The Mind Over Finger Podcast135 Aubrey Bergauer: Changing the Narrative for the Performing ArtsA conversation with art industry leader Aubrey Bergauer on the state of the classical music industry and how we can positively impact the future of our musical community. MORE ABOUT AUBREY BERGAUER (bio below): Website: https://www.aubreybergauer.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreybergauer/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aubreybergauer/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/aubreybergauer?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Aubreyyyy326 Medium: https://aubreybergauer.medium.com/ MIND OVER FINGER: Visit MindOverFinger.com for resources on mindful practice and information on how...2022-07-2244 minThe Offstage MicHow to Balance Risk Taking at an Arts OrganizationHow to balance risk taking with sustainability at an arts organization. And how you can make sure a new idea is not really that risky after all.Then, Aubrey covers how to find common ground in negotiations, sharing lessons we can learn from big organizations like the Met Opera, smaller organizations like the California Symphony, and a Harvard Business School professor.2022-07-1344 minThe Offstage MicHow to Build a Culture of Iteration and Innovation at an Arts OrganizationHow to build an arts organization culture that embraces continual improvement, design thinking, iteration, and innovation—especially when we feel so much pressure to make everything we do an overnight success with no room for failure.Then, Aubrey addresses a job seeker’s question about what to do when there’s something about their work history they don’t want to come up in an interview.2022-06-2938 min