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Administrator/Trustee Resources
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OPERA America Webcasts cater to opera professionals, offering timely, expert discussions on the topics most pressing to the field. Webcasts can either be watched live over the Internet, or accessed in archived form on OPERA America’s Web site. You can submit questions by e-mail before or during the event. Watch for additions and updates here or contact MFeilotter@operaamerica.org for more information.
2009-2010 Webcast Schedule
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OCTOBER 13, 2009, 10:00 a.m. EST
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Check-Up: Health-Care Reform Proposals and the Opera Field
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The health care debate is center-stage this fall in Washington and new legislation could have a profound impact on both individuals and companies. In OPERA America's inaugural webcast, find out which proposals are floating around the House and Senate and what you can do now to prepare for changes. Panelists include Patricia Read of Independent Sector, Derek Davis of AGMA Health and Retirement Plan and David Bennett, managing director of Gotham Chamber Opera.
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DECEMBER 9, 2009, 3:00 p.m. EST
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Enjoy Responsibly: Alcohol and Food Policies
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Every opera company hosts galas and other events where food and alcohol are an expected component. But companies must balance the offerings with social responsibility, to ensure their own safety and that of their employees and patrons. Though laws vary from state to state, the problems are often uniform and similar, like keeping consumption safe and legal. How do you ensure a successful event while still exercising the necessary controls? Join DiMento & Sullivan Attorney Carolyn Conway, The Santa Fe Opera’s administrative director, Thomas Morris, and human resources director Liz Kellogg for a frank discussion of this often-neglected topic.
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JANUARY 19, 2010, 2:00 p.m. EST
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Make Better Marketing Your New Year’s Resolution
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Every opera company is unique: small or large, steeped in tradition or focused on new works. But too often, the Web sites, e-mails and brochures all look the same. How do you stand out, and perhaps more importantly, stand out to the people you really want to reach? Join smArts & Culture’s Maryann Devine for an engaging discussion on how to shape and shake up marketing for your organization. Whether you’re looking for new outlets or a new look, Devine has tailored advice just for this industry.
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JANUARY 29, 2010; 12:00 p.m. EST
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Cultural Data Project Explained
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OPERA America and the Cultural Data Project (CDP) have teamed up to create an online version of the Professional Opera Survey (POS). Beginning in January 2010, OPERA America member organizations will now complete the CDP’s standardized online form for arts and cultural organizations, followed by several sections of opera-specific questions, developed by OPERA America. This powerful online management tool will streamline the annual data collection process and provide all statistics for future Professional Opera Survey Reports. OPERA America member organizations can use the CDP to produce a variety of instantaneously-generated reports designed to help increase management capacity, identify strengths and challenges, and inform decision-making. Join Larry Bomback, Director of Finance and Operations at OPERA America, and Jessica Cahail, Senior Associate at the Cultural Data Project, for an in-depth tour of this new paperless survey and benchmarking tool.
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FEBRUARY 16, 2010, 4:00 p.m. EST
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Planned Giving Strategies
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A common concern among donors is how assets will be distributed when they can no longer oversee the process. As a donor, how can you best invest money to reap the benefits during your life, but still ensure a lasting and positive impact? As a development director, how do you broach this delicate subject well-informed and effectively? This session, featuring Thomas Bonhag, a Certified Financial Planner from National Madison Group and a member of the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning, will help guide you through the complex financial instruments available, and look at investing via life insurance policies. Robert Heuer, general director of Florida Grand Opera, will also participate.
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MARCH 17, 2010, 1:00 p.m. EST
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Taxing Foreign Artists
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Visiting artists bring a sometimes unique perspective to your stage, and equally unique issues to your tax returns. Pretty much anyone who performs in the US gets taxed, but the simplicity ends there. What compensation is subject to withholding? Can artists without a Social Security Number be paid? Answers to those questions, and any others you may have particular to your situation, in this discussion with FTM Arts Law attorney and tax-withholding expert Robyn Guilliams, co-author of Artists From Abroad.
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APRIL 2010; details TBD
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National Service in the Opera Field
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The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), offers grants and other resources to nonprofit organizations to carry-out community education programs. Nonprofit opera organizations are eligible to receive funding and/or volunteer support through CNCS programs. In addition, the agency has new grant programs that may benefit the opera community. Learn from CNCS staff how to take advantage of these funding opportunities, whether you’re planning to forge new partnerships in your community or strengthen established programs. |
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MAY 18, 2010, 1:00 p.m. EST
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Turning Learners into Ticket Buyers
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Many opera companies focus education programming on K-12 audiences. But there’s an untapped audience of adult learners out there — sometimes intimidated by opera etiquette and tradition, or a fundamental fear of the unknown — they’re a potential audience in the making. How can you tap into that audience and convince the merely curious to commit? The adult learner is an ideal candidate as someone with genuine interest, time and disposable income. Discover how education can translate into ticket sales. Ruth Nott, director of education at San Francisco Opera, will host.
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JULY 2010; details TBD
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Innovative Onstage Multimedia
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Digital elements are increasingly a part of opera productions, as pressures mount to bring down costs. But how long does it take for the technical investment to pay off? Can the technology be used to complement storytelling without overshadowing it, and will digital tricks ultimately replace brick-and-mortar production elements? Production experts will look at what the current technology does, how it has been used successfully, and perhaps most importantly, what kinds of technical and fiscal investments you need to make to go digital. |
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JULY 2010; details TBD
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Securing Major Gifts
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Development professionals know that securing major gifts requires a coordinated effort on a number of fronts, from identifying and researching prospects, to cultivating techniques for approaching potential donors. But are you using all your resources? Board members often have unique access to donors, and insider knowledge about their philanthropic motivations. However board members are not often part of the fundraising process. In this webcast, Coralie Toevs, assistant manager of development at the Metropolitan Opera, discusses how development staff can work in tandem with their boards to tap into new resources and effectively ask for major gifts. |
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AUGUST 3, 2010; time TBD
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Social Media Tools for Nonprofits
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If you know you should be taking better advantage of social media tools, whether for marketing, networking or fundraising, but need a more strategic approach, this webcast is for you. Blogger and author Beth Kanter (The Networked Nonprofit), who was also named one of Business Week’s Voices of Innovation for Social Media in 2009 and Visiting Scholar at the Packard Foundation, hosts a discussion on how to use a range of social media tactics to benefit your organization’s communications objectives. |
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AUGUST 10, 2010; time TBD
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Opera MythBusters for Educators
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One demographic we don’t often see in the opera house is teenagers. But attitudes can be transformed by debunking some of the most common opera myths. How do you persuade the skeptics? Clyde Berry, director of education at Fort Worth Opera demonstrates some proven techniques to win over even the toughest opera customer. Learn how to improvise in a classroom setting to help bring opera closer to the next generation. |
Information subject to change.
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