FY15 Objectives
Vital: Addresses excellence and leadership.
Cantus is known for and delivers artistic excellence, leadership as a collaborative organization and compelling programming.
· Finalize mission and vision for Cantus for Board approval in fall 2014.
· Design and program a Christmas concert appropriate for December 2015 touring (Fall 2014).
· In order to improve communications and expectations, review and update all job descriptions (November 2014).
· Continue to explore relationship with Guthrie Theater as a collaborator for Spring 2016 performance (on-going).
Relevant: Addresses programs and events, planning and evaluation.
Cantus inspires audiences seeking a meaningful music experience and influences students who aspire to make singing a part of their life-long artistic experience.
· In order to better understand the audience artistic experience, Cantus will participate in the Chorus America/Intrinsic Impact project (2014-2015 and 2015-2016 seasons).
· Increase the number of applications for the High School Residency program through additional marketing efforts and communications with high school choral directors (Fall 2014).
o Tactic: present HSR to Board in September for additional involvement
· Working with AAM, bookings for FY16 total $435K and include 5 top venues from the Cantus “30” list of critical venues. One international tour that covers costs is a major priority for the 15-16 year. (on-going)
· Plan expansion of Christmas with Cantus concerts into new neighborhoods for Christmas 2015. (May 2015)
· For artistic evaluation, listen to and assess two recently recorded performances from either a tour or a home concert run, once in the fall and another in the spring, through a group listening process to be solidified by September 17, 2014.
Accessible: Addresses audience engagement.
Cantus offers multiple ways for audiences to experience Cantus and uses our knowledge, flexibility and resources to expand and deepen the audience experience.
· Continue Cantus Media Initiative and explore opportunities for further engagement in a changing music industry (on-going).
· With approved grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board implement Access activities with CommonBond Housing (July 2015).
Sustainable: Addresses staff, artist and board retention; diversity of funding and management of expenses.
Cantus fosters meaningful and rewarding work for the organization’s most important resources—artists, staff and board—to succeed in carrying out our mission and in serving our audience.
· Continue our commitment to grow salaries and focus on employee retention, Cantus will increase salaries by 4% on relevant anniversary dates.
· To support a growing audience and build capacity, Cantus will hire an Audience Development Associate (September 1, 2014).
· Bring Cantus Idol to larger venue (Aria) to acknowledge increased demand and increase event giving (May 2015).
· To help sustain and increase recording sales, Cantus will implement Nielsen SoundScan reporting in September 2014 and work to establish a recording distribution agreement with either EMI or Naxos.
· Identify new space for move in June 2015 either for office staff (singers at Westminster) or a combined office/rehearsal space.
· Research and write job description for eventual hiring of Cantus development manager (title TBD), responsible for individual giving, events and special campaigns. (January 2015)
· Identify and implement ways for Cantus to be “greener” (on-going).
· Complete internal controls document and policies for board approval (January 2015).
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Strategic Direction
These will be discussed further at our board retreat in October 2014.
Cantus is known for and delivers artistic excellence, leadership as a collaborative organization and compelling programming.
· Finalize mission and vision for Cantus for Board approval in fall 2014.
· Design and program a Christmas concert appropriate for December 2015 touring (Fall 2014).
· In order to improve communications and expectations, review and update all job descriptions (November 2014).
· Continue to explore relationship with Guthrie Theater as a collaborator for Spring 2016 performance (on-going).
Relevant: Addresses programs and events, planning and evaluation.
Cantus inspires audiences seeking a meaningful music experience and influences students who aspire to make singing a part of their life-long artistic experience.
· In order to better understand the audience artistic experience, Cantus will participate in the Chorus America/Intrinsic Impact project (2014-2015 and 2015-2016 seasons).
· Increase the number of applications for the High School Residency program through additional marketing efforts and communications with high school choral directors (Fall 2014).
o Tactic: present HSR to Board in September for additional involvement
· Working with AAM, bookings for FY16 total $435K and include 5 top venues from the Cantus “30” list of critical venues. One international tour that covers costs is a major priority for the 15-16 year. (on-going)
· Plan expansion of Christmas with Cantus concerts into new neighborhoods for Christmas 2015. (May 2015)
· For artistic evaluation, listen to and assess two recently recorded performances from either a tour or a home concert run, once in the fall and another in the spring, through a group listening process to be solidified by September 17, 2014.
Accessible: Addresses audience engagement.
Cantus offers multiple ways for audiences to experience Cantus and uses our knowledge, flexibility and resources to expand and deepen the audience experience.
· Continue Cantus Media Initiative and explore opportunities for further engagement in a changing music industry (on-going).
· With approved grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board implement Access activities with CommonBond Housing (July 2015).
Sustainable: Addresses staff, artist and board retention; diversity of funding and management of expenses.
Cantus fosters meaningful and rewarding work for the organization’s most important resources—artists, staff and board—to succeed in carrying out our mission and in serving our audience.
· Continue our commitment to grow salaries and focus on employee retention, Cantus will increase salaries by 4% on relevant anniversary dates.
· To support a growing audience and build capacity, Cantus will hire an Audience Development Associate (September 1, 2014).
· Bring Cantus Idol to larger venue (Aria) to acknowledge increased demand and increase event giving (May 2015).
· To help sustain and increase recording sales, Cantus will implement Nielsen SoundScan reporting in September 2014 and work to establish a recording distribution agreement with either EMI or Naxos.
· Identify new space for move in June 2015 either for office staff (singers at Westminster) or a combined office/rehearsal space.
· Research and write job description for eventual hiring of Cantus development manager (title TBD), responsible for individual giving, events and special campaigns. (January 2015)
· Identify and implement ways for Cantus to be “greener” (on-going).
· Complete internal controls document and policies for board approval (January 2015).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Strategic Direction
These will be discussed further at our board retreat in October 2014.
- Increase artist salaries to attract and retain the best singers, with a short term goal of starting salary at $30,000
- Hire a Individual Giving Manager (title TBD) in April 2015
- Build a cash reserve to replace LOC
- Artistic Initiative Fund
