“One out of every ten non-profit arts organizations in the U.S. reports that they ‘doubt
their ability’ to survive the pandemic,” The Wall Street Journal reported on January 21, 2021.
As a college student, I clearly remember calling my mother from the communal phone in
my dormitory at Illinois State University. I was struggling with what, at the time, seemed
like a life-or-death decision. My mother’s words, “Decision terminates panic,” have stuck
with me ever since. Her sage advice was key to how I managed The Joffrey Ballet through
times of crisis.
In March 2022, The National Endowment for the Arts assessed the financial state of
performing arts organizations during the pandemic. They announced, “Performing arts
organizations were particularly hard hit, with a nearly 73% drop in value added by
performing arts presenters and companies between 2019 and 2020. Other sectors, such
as museums and independent artists, also saw substantial declines.”
It has been three years since the Wall Street Journal questioned the survival of the arts and
two years since NEA’s grim announcement, and I often reflect on what made the Joffrey’s
story quite different. When the future was uncertain, we pivoted quickly and found strength
in the power of collaboration and partnership. We became members of the Advisory Board
for the Arts (ABA).
In January 2020, Joffrey’s Gollub Board Fellow Emma Rolfs, working under Board Director
Patrick Gallagher, presented a thorough risk assessment to the Board of Directors. We
thought we were ready for anything. Certainly, no one foresaw the devastation of the
COVID-19 pandemic, which would soon turn the world upside down.
By March of that year, when the pandemic officially arrived, we knew we had to pursue a
different strategy than the risk tool. Our Joffrey Board of Directors acted quickly, so for the
next several months (and, in complete honesty, to this day), we prioritized decision-making
focusing on the health and safety of our artists, administrative team, directors, and
audience members.
At the same time, I was also asked to participate in an Advisory Board for the Arts webinar
on ZOOM (also a new platform for me). Any way that Joffrey’s experience could help local,
national, and international colleagues would be a wise investment of my time. I remember
sitting in my kitchen with my iPad elevated on books and lights adjusted so that I appeared to look somewhat professional on screen. I knew I did not have all the answers and in April
2020, most of the questions had yet to arise. What I do remember sharing was our
commitment to health and safety and keeping our patrons “sticky.” Looking back four
years later, I am pleased to report we accomplished both.
The ABA Zoom webinar reinforced the most critical point: partnerships would keep the
performing arts sector moving forward. ABA commits itself to the exchange of ideas for a
thriving cultural sector. It comprises members from performing arts organizations,
festivals, schools, and museums, which provide research, advisory, and networking
services in fundraising, digital, DEIA, marketing, human resources, programming,
governance, and social impact. Among those members are the American Museum of
Natural History, Boston University, Carnegie Hall, Goodman Theater, Harris Theater,
Houston Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, Ravinia, and San Francisco Opera, to name a few.
Arts leaders are confronted daily with new challenges. ABA’s collective data and expertise,
collected weekly and applied from its membership network, have continued to help us
drive change by utilizing their insights and referencing trends among our peer
organizations.
To stay strong, you’ve got to have friends, especially in times of crisis. Together with our
partners at ABA, we continue discovering creative new ways to solve problems and move
forward.
This post was submitted as part of our “You Said It” program.” Your voice, ideas, and engagement are important to help us accomplish our mission. We encourage you to share your ideas and efforts to make the world a better place by submitting a “You Said It.”
How To Help
Joffrey Ballet is celebrating 68 years of artistic excellence this year. During that time, Joffrey’s high standards and inclusivity have been the building blocks of a premier dance company. By supporting Joffrey, you are helping company artists, academy and community engagement programs, and more. Visit Joffrey Ballet online to see how your support could impact artists in Chicago and beyond.
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Greg Cameron is the president and chief executive officer of Joffrey Ballet. His lifelong love for the arts, his hometown, and connecting with people from every background drives Cameron’s work. Thanks to Cameron’s partnership with The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director Ashley Wheater, the Joffrey Ballet has set new box office records and secured the strongest financial foundation in its history.
