“The RAC network/project is an admirable undertaking and important if not often overlooked work. I really appreciate being witness to the organizational and individual testimonials, being invited into the conversation, and for the exposure to arts organizations I wouldn’t normally have had access to. After our meeting, I’m most left thinking about the importance of convening in person and of one-on-one relationship building. It’s been my experience that the best and most important work—the conversations that really drive to the root of collaboration and the sharing of resource—don’t happen in the conference room or in the email thread, but in the hotel bar in the afterhours, or over the shared meal when the “day” is done. Now, obviously COVID has thrown a wrench into that possibly for the last several years, but we are slowly and hopefully returning to a reality in which we can work together side by side again. I see RAC as having planted the seeds for this kind of deeper and continued networking. Although most of the RAC convening did happen virtually, it seems the conversation did lead eventually to face-to-face convening and collaborations, with demonstrable outcome of success for certain organizations. Simply having a network of likeminded organizations, either of similar size or common mission, can do wonders in alleviating the stresses of programming non-profit arts spaces. It acts as a professional wellness mechanism. I would go so far as to say that a network such as RAC is imperative to the continued health and well-being of its partner organizations, and convening, conversation, and collaboration must be valued equally with all other mission related work. The questions I am left with are likely obvious. Knowing RAC was a grant funded initiative, now what? How can a case be made that a small amount of funding had such a large impact, and is there an opportunity for continued funding? If so, does AAM have the capacity to steward the network into its next phase, or would it need to become its own entity? How is rural being defined in this context, and if presented with continued funding, would the RAC Network expand?”
- Will Bowling, Education & Public Programs Coordinator University of Wyoming Art Museum
33
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online