Saving Performing Arts

<p>When Ernest Auerbach took the helm at Austin Opera in 2011 the organization had been in existence for twenty-five years and was near bankruptcy. In the years leading up to the financial disaster the Opera's well-meaning board of trustees and staff leadership had somehow lost sight of the fact that while opera is an art running an opera is a business. Now it was up to Auerbach to save it from collapse.</p><p>Auerbach-a seasoned military leader and corporate executive-provides insight into the business model he developed to achieve a financial and artistic turnaround at Austin Opera as well as examples methods and tools that will help other performing arts organizations design their own sustainable business model and avoid a downward turn. Nonprofit leaders will learn how to:</p>Recognize signs of an impending disaster</br>Gain trust and effectively communicate with allies</br>Develop priorities during a financial crisis</br>Focus on organizational details while maintaining a mission</br>Keep patrons donors and trustees happy</p><p><i>Saving Performing Arts</i> is a concise survival guide designed to help performing arts organizations avoid trouble and become successful organizations with excellent future prospects and money in the bank.</p><p><i>A great lesson in leadership for those in every sector of the performing arts.</i></br><b>-Kevin Smith</b> Opera America field consultant</p>