Slide 1:Artistic Directions CommitteeOctober 21, 2009


Artistic Directions Committee :Artistic Directions Committee Charter Identify, develop and evaluate innovative programming for new audiences. Extend established research through quarterly analysis of trends and forecasts. Evangelize and build support for new programming. Calendar October 21, 2009 February 17, 2010 (Tentative) April 14, 2010 (Tentative) Agenda Programming Strategic Overview New Series Review 2009/10 Season Outlook 2010/11 Season Preview (Classical)


Strategic Review :Strategic Review WPAS Strategic Plan (2008) Expand and retain audiences of varied ages and cultures for main stage performances by developing and implementing new Series performance opportunities that highlight emerging artists, foster their careers, and elevate their local profile. Extend programming for Classical, Jazz and World Music in small to-mid-size venues with emphasis on new work, developing artists, new audiences. Build partnerships, relationships and co-presenting opportunities with local presenters, venues, industry professionals and advisors in order to build foundation for new series. WPAS Mission Statement “For more than 40 years Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS) has created profound opportunities by connecting the community to artists, in both education and performance. Through live events in venues that criss-cross the landscape of the D.C. metropolitan area, WPAS invites all to share lifelong opportunities to deepen their cultural knowledge, enrich their lives, and expand their understanding of the world through the universal language of the performing arts. Each year, WPAS presents more than 60 performances on 10 subscription series in venues throughout the region. Complementing each season of performances are dynamic education programs in schools and beyond.” (Guidestar, 2009)


Slide 4:Director’s Analysis (2008) Stop losses in nonclassical programming Re-establish artistic leadership and long-range planning Maintain artistic leadership and expand successful programming areas Develop integrated programming/marketing/edu framework “Global Rhythm Connection” Optimize programming/marketing decision-making Build WPAS expertise in niche markets. Renew strategic, business and financial frameworks to ensure sustainability. Reduce dependence on traditional venues. Build venue/career ladder for emerging artists across genre Research and Analysis SWOT Strengths Orchestra and Clx Recital programming Presenter of Record relationships with key artists (Marsalis, Bell, Ma) Flexibility of multiple venues Brand identity = high quality performances of traditional/classical nature Relationships with DC govt and schools Weaknesses Loss of high-net key artists to KC (Ailey, Paul Taylor etc) Brand identity swing to strictly traditional/mainstream, white, elitist – clashes with nonclassical audiences, loss of ‘cutting edge’ Exposure to changes in contributed income Not enough engagement/replenishment of younger audiences Not enough engagement with specific ethnic or cultural communities (excepting gospel) Overreliance on key artists to carry season SWOT Opportunities New downtown arts centers offer smaller, cheaper performance alternatives New suburban arts centers anchoring local audiences – “ex Kennedy Center” New audiences – young downtown DC; exurban early retirees Partnerships with local presenters and venues Threats Rising costs of production vs. price ceiling = shrinking or negative margins Difficulty securing prime dates in major venues Recession conditions - decline in tix sales and underwriting Rising transportation costs Presenter locks on specific genres Non-Hispanic whites will be minority within a decade (just 53% now) COMPASS (2007) Based on Simmons market research and Greater DC Census data. Building a successful Jazz/World Music program will attract younger and more ethnically diverse audiences . Opportunity to expand Jazz in mid-size venues, as component of broader enrichment program. Opportunity to present World Music performance to diverse, education- and culture-focused audience beyond traditional ethnic audiences. Need to achieve improved economics in venue and marketing expenses to break-even with nonclassical in mid-size venues. Focus on web/online for marketing, ticketing and education. Comprehensive fundraising strategy will enable higher realization of goals. SHUGOLL (2007) Outside of core (classical) programming, Jazz and Modern Dance are most likely to boost ticket sales. There is growth potential in offering additional Jazz, World, Gospel and Modern Dance, and attracting ethnically diverse/younger audiences. Younger attendees (under 45) more likely to get information via Internet than print media. Venue preferences based on acoustics, seating comfort and parking. Economic Volatility - Response (2008) Reduction in Contributed Income – Programming Mix Increased Price Sensitivity – Programming/Pricing decisions Reduce Risk and Control Costs Share risk through Partnerships, Deal Structures Reduce programming volatility and cut costs


Outcomes :Outcomes Dance Programming Funding Umbrella Local Festivals (Partnerships, Audience Building) Major Presentations Standardized Venue and Fee Schedule Recommendations by major dance presenters Establish strategic partner: Shakespeare Theater Company / Sidney Harman Hall Restore emphasis to direct community involvement by WPAS Reduce dependence on third parties for artistic curatorial/production Ceded artistic control and direct relationships resulted in inconsistent quality/ feedback. Establish definitive strategic vision for Dance presentation “Experience the Best” – we hold ourselves to a higher standard Establish Harman Center as strategic partner for future downtown Dance series Collaborate and Share – everyone suffers from walled gardens Mentor and Development Re-establish grassroots connections and communication with dance audience & artists Establish city-wide Dance marketing vehicle for 21st Century – velocitydc.org Promote involvement through WPAS Education programs Revitalize WPAS dance mailing lists, marketing collateral, research and audience intelligence Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Home to new Encore and Sessions series New audience and artist development Expanded programming in Classical, Jazz and World Music Good acoustics and metro/parking accessibility Finance, Scheduling & Communications Production costs one-third to one-half of comparable venues Prime dates available in advance Enthusiastic venue management and staff Marketing and Demographics Located in Chinatown/Metro Center - nightlife, restaurants, shops, Metro Outstanding visibility and marketing presence in DC press Draws younger demographic through Live Nation concerts, Comedy Central shows and other cultural events Full inclusion in venue marketing collateral, website, print media Classical Programming Control Costs and programming variables Reduce total number of performances per Series in 2009/10 Emphasis on key artists Aggressively seek prime dates Pre-NSO Matinees Launch “Encores @ Sixth” New audience and artist development Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Jazz/World/Popular Programming Control Costs and programming variables Reduce total number of performances per Series in 2009/10 Emphasis on key artists Aggressively seek prime dates Extend programming planning and build audience Offer multiple options for specific genres/audiences per season Launch “Sessions @ Sixth” New audience and artist development Sixth & I Historic Synagogue


2009/10 Season Outlook :2009/10 Season Outlook Subscription packages Single Ticket Sales as of 10/20/09 Discussion by Series


Slide 7:Esperanza Spalding Quartet Saturday, December 5 2009 at 8:00pm Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Miguel Zenon Quartetand the Aaron Parks Trio Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 8:00pm Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Anoushka Shankar Saturday, April 17 2010 at 8:00pm Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Sessions @ Sixth Sixth & I Historic Synagogue


Slide 8:Alisa Weilerstein, celloInon Barnatan, piano Saturday, February 6 2010 at 8pmSixth & I Historic Synagogue Julia Fischer, violin Saturday, April 3 2010 at 8pmSixth & I Historic Synagogue Yuja Wang, piano Saturday, May 22 2010 at 8pmSixth & I Historic Synagogue Encores @ Sixth Sixth & I Historic Synagogue


Slide 9:VelocityDC Dance Festival * Friday, October 2, 2010 at 7:30pm Saturday, October 3, 2010 at 7:30pm Saturday, October 3, 2010 at 10:00pm Sidney Harman Hall Sweet Honey in the Rock + Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre Friday, October 23, 2009 at 8:00pm Warner Theatre Ronald K. Brown and Evidence Friday, April 30, 2010 at 8:00pm Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 8:00pm Sidney Harman Hall Dance and Movement * CityDance Ensemble ◦ Edwin Aparicio ◦ Gesel Mason ◦ EDGEWORKS Dance Theater Nejla Yatkin ◦ Liz Lerman Dance Exchange ◦ Ronald K. Brown & Evidence Dance Company ◦ The Washington Ballet ◦ Andile Ndlovu ◦ Capital Movement Project ◦ Contradiction Dance ◦ Furia Flamenca ◦ Kentavius Jones ◦ Komplex ◦ Lucy Bowen McCauley Dance ◦ Regie Cabico ◦ Urban Artistry SOLD OUT! SOLD OUT!


Slide 10:New York PhilharmonicRiccardo Muti, conductor Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 4:00pm Royal Concertgebouw OrchestraMariss Jansons, conductor Janine Jansen, violin Monday, February 15, 2010 at 8:00pm San Francisco SymphonyMichael Tilson Thomas, conductor Christian Tetzlaff, violin Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at 8:00pm Los Angeles PhilharmonicGustavo Dudamel, conductor Monday, May 17, 2010 at 8:00pm Great Orchestras Kennedy Center Concert Hall


Slide 11:Murray Perahia, piano Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 4:00pm Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, soprano Warren Jones, piano Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 7:00pm Dmitri Hvorostovsky, baritone Sondra Radvanovsky, soprano National Philharmonic Ion Marin, conductor Monday, March 29, 2010 at 8:00pm Maurizio Pollini, piano Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 8:00pm Esperanza Spalding Quartet Saturday, December 5 2009 at 8:00pm Stars Series Kennedy Center Concert Hall


Slide 12:Celebrities Series Music Center at Strathmore Vienna Chamber Orchestra Philippe Entremont Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 7:00pm Joshua Bell, violin Jeremy Denk, piano Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 8:00pm Denyce Graves, soprano Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 4:00pm Takacs String Quartet Joyce Yang, piano Friday, April 16, 2010 at 8:00pm Philadelphia Orchestra Charles Dutoit, conductor Nikolai Lugansky, piano Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 8:00pm


Slide 13:Angela Hewitt Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 8:00pm Radu Lupu Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 8:00pm Vladimir Feltsman Friday, March 26, 2010 at 8:00pm Mitsuko Uchida Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 8:00pm Piano Masters Music Center at Strathmore


Slide 14:Viviane Hagner, violin Shai Wosner, piano Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 7:30pm Ebène Quartet Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 7:30pm Zuill Bailey, cello Orion Weiss, piano Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 7:30pm Kreeger Strings Kennedy Center Terrace Theatre


Slide 15:Cédric Tiberghien Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 2:00pm Plamena Mangova Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 2:00pm Jeremy Denk Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 2:00pm Rafal Blechacz Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 2:00pm Noboyuki Tsujii (Van Cliburn Winner) Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 2:00pm Hayes Piano Kennedy Center Terrace Theatre SOLD OUT!


Slide 16:Sonny Rollins Kennedy Center Concert HallWednesday, December 2, 2009 at 8:00pm Blind Boys of Alabama and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band Warner TheatreFriday, January 8, 2010 at 8:00pm Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Wynton Marsalis, trumpetKennedy Center Concert HallMonday, March 1, 2010 at 8:00pm Ramsey Lewis Trio Ann Hampton Callaway, vocalsWarner TheatreSaturday, May 17, 2010 at 8:00pm Jazz Kennedy Center and Warner Theatre


Slide 17:Sweet Honey in the Rockwith Alvin Ailey American Dance TheatreFriday, October 23, 2009 at 8:00pmWarner Theatre Kailash Kher and Kailasa Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 8:00pm GWU Lisner Auditorium WPAS Gospel Mass ChoirSunday, January 31, 2010 at 4:00pm Kennedy Center Concert Hall Masters of Persian MusicSunday, February 28, 2010 at 8:00pmKennedy Center Concert Hall World and Roots Music SOLD OUT!


Slide 18:Michael Feinstein’s Sinatra ProjectSunday, November 8, 2009 at 7:00pm The Music Center at Strathmore Leif Ove Andsnes, piano“Pictures Reframed”Sunday, November 8, 2009 at 7:00pm The Music Center at Strathmore Special Presentations


2010/11 Season PreviewINTERNAL USE ONLY :2010/11 Season PreviewINTERNAL USE ONLY Orchestras - Mariinsky Orchestra (formerly Kirov) - Philadelphia Orchestra Potential: Boston, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and St. Petersburg   Stars - Yo-Yo Ma - Anne-Sophie Mutter - Potential: Renee Fleming, Evgeny Kissin, Josh Bell   Celebrities - Dresden Staatskapelle - Tokyo String Quartet with Jeremy Denk - Hilary Hahn - Potential: Itzhak Perlman, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, St. Petersburg Piano Masters - Andras Schiff - Manny Ax - Maurizio Pollini - Marc-Andre Hamelin   Encore - Calder Quartet - Pierre-Laurent Aimard