ArtsOhio Blog

Like Music to Our Ears

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 19:12:05 GMT

I recently read the headline of an article titled “Coming Back? It Makes No Sense,” and I thought about the team at the Ohio Arts Council and the many, many arts organizations and artists we serve, and the audiences who rely on us, both in Ohio and around the nation.

The idea of “coming back” is like music to our ears, when we take a moment to let ourselves dream again. My mind went right to imagining performances of every genre, whether inside beautiful theatres, repurposed spaces, or outdoor pavilions. And then I began to think about the hundreds of thousands of hard-working arts administrators, actors, musicians, photographers, marketers, promoters, producers, and on and on—all those who somehow kept going, kept their incomes and livelihoods afloat however they could, rarely left their home offices or front yards, and just kept on working. They kept engaging, innovating, imagining, and doing—all to ensure the arts remained central to our mental and physical health during a global pandemic.

To you, I say, thank you. Thank you for staying the course. Thank you for arts content delivery in new ways. Thank you for sticking your neck out to say, “Wait, we’re here and we’re not going down!” That made sense.

At the writing of this article, Governor Mike DeWine announced expanded vaccine eligibility for all Ohioans 16 years and older by March 29. Again, the reprise of that music to our ears—we’re coming back. Certainly, and tragically, so many of us have suffered loss—of a cherished tradition, of a milestone celebration, of a job, of a loved one—but we are resilient, and we are coming back.

And Ohio’s robust health care system is a big reason why we can come back. Thank you to the nurses, doctors, techs, and hospital and medical center administrators who barely left their stations to ensure we were taken care of during the health crisis. Thank you to our wonderful essential workers who gave up so much, sometimes leaving their own families for weeks and weeks, to ensure Ohioans had care, tests, vaccines, food and basic needs, and so much more. Thank you for risking your lives to keep us as healthy as possible.

When I had my first vaccine in early March (guess how old I am?), my husband and I went to Secrest Auditorium and Music Hall in Zanesville—and for once, I wasn’t there for a show. In fact, it was the first performance space I’d been in for a year! I knew the exact location, could imagine going in the building, wished it were for a performance, but ultimately I was so thankful it was open to serve the community. I’m not sure if I imagined it, or if I remembered it from their website, but the words were “We will soon be announcing new performances and shows.” Again, we are coming back.

Thank you to all the arts administrators and board members who lead the work of our arts venues and organizations across Ohio. Thanks to all who have made their spaces available as vaccination sites. Your commitment to community has never gone away.

Last March, my team—the fabulous professionals at the Ohio Arts Council—went to their homes to work remotely for what we thought might be a few weeks, maybe a month or two, if it was as bad as the projections seemed. None of us could believe the crisis on most days, and we would say, “It makes no sense.” And we would find ourselves exclaiming that phrase, “It makes no sense,” over and over during a long list of milestones over the past 12 months. As time passed and work continued—and even accelerated as our agency proactively provided economic relief—we kept our fast-paced stride. Most folks thought we were at the office because our work was—and remains—business as usual (except for travel restrictions).

We promised ourselves we wouldn’t waver. We didn’t move away from our mission to fund and support quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

We have much more to do, many pivots to consider and make within nonprofit business models, and new and exciting modes of service delivery to perfect. As long as our public health trajectory continues toward recovery and we keep safety in mind, we are well on our way toward flexing our resilient, creative, and free artistic spirits to come back in full. If anything, our next generation of leaders are already more prepared for the unexpected, more adaptable to worldwide impacts, because of their 2020 (and 2021) experiences. We are all more focused on what can be and will be because we are now fully paying attention … we’re together and we’re ready for next steps, new opportunities, and a positive way forward!

Thank you to the transformers, virtuosos, and catalysts who are leading us away from normal into something not yet fully realized, something that some will say, “this makes no sense.” Let’s not listen to the nay-sayers: We’re coming back—did we ever really leave?—and we’re stronger and smarter for the experiences. At the Ohio Arts Council we still believe that the arts are better when we all work together … that makes sense!

Until next time,

Donna S. Collins
Executive Director

Featured photo: Ohio Arts Council Executive Director Donna S. Collins, OAC Arts Learning Coordinator Chiquita Mullins Lee, and 2021 Ohio Poetry Out Loud State Champion Monserrat Tlahuel-Flores at the 2021 Ohio Poetry Out Loud State Finals Competition, broadcast virtually from WOSU Studios on March 5. Photo by Terry Gilliam.

No Place Like Home: A Thank You to Ohio's Arts Leaders

Wed, 27 May 2020 14:23:15 GMT

I’m reflecting today on Ohio’s arts leaders after reading a passage from C. JoyBell C., an author and poet. She once wrote:

“The problem when you are a strong, capable, self-confident person, is that more often than not, people think that you don't really need things like comfort, reassurance, loyalty, and guidance. People are more likely to look at you and say, ‘She doesn't need this,’ ‘She doesn't need that,’ ‘She's already all of this and all of that.’ And the truth is that most probably, you are a strong, capable, self-confident person because you built yourself brick-by-brick into that person; because you HAD to BECOME that person; because you had determination enough to make yourself into the image that you knew you needed to become. At the heart of many strong, confident people, is a heart most longing of the things that most others simply take for granted.”

When I read this quote, my mind went to the hundreds of arts leaders I’ve been talking with over the last few months. These are strong, smart, innovative leaders who, like the Ohio Arts Council, are forward-thinking and people-focused. And, like all of us, they are living in uncertain times.

Let me share with you this: We are all in this together. We are fully aware of the scarcities and sacrifices you face, and the unknowns you continue to play over and over in your mind. But we also know that our artists, our arts and cultural leaders, and our teaching artists are simply amazing. We have confidence in you.

I’m reminded that arts leaders in Ohio have seen tough times before, and we have risen over every obstacle in our way and found solutions. One day we’ll reflect on today’s challenges and know that our collective innovation and determination created opportunities we would not have had otherwise. Thank you to the innovators and risk-takers in the arts sector. We need you, and we are not taking you for granted.

As Ohio begins to reopen, I know that many of our arts organizations who offer summer camps are thrilled, and our dance companies are ecstatic to open their doors. Others continue to wait as they make additional preparations or adhere to restrictions still in place. Theatres, museums, galleries, and performance venues are working together with local, state, and national entities to prepare for the day they can also safely reopen. Collaboration abounds, more than I’ve ever seen, and it is because we have a host of brilliant and innovative arts leaders in our state willing and able to tackle complex issues.

Last week I read an article by Christopher Purdy about choirs, and it struck me when he said, “… common sense puts the communal health over the communal heart.” And, Kellie Walsh, a choral leader contributing to the article shared that, “If choir is about teaching and learning, growing, connecting, community, cultural exploration and transmission, and innovating - we will find a way to have choir.” I’m sure you’ve seen dozens of digital choir offerings and felt joy from the collection of voices … all of these digital experiences provide the opportunity to teach, learn, collaborate, and perform. Imagine what we would be missing had everyone—choir directors, singers, musicians, adults and students alike—just stayed home and sat in silence. No teaching, no learning, no performance, no joy. Again, our arts leaders can’t be kept down, and when we add artists, musicians, and students—it’s like magic!

While we find ourselves continuing to telework, or looking for work, or returning to work … I keep thinking about Dorothy. After a long journey down that yellow brick road, at the end she simply clicked her heels together and said, “There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home.” She had done the work, met the enemy, made friends, collaborated, and found solutions. Just like Dorothy and her friends, let’s continue on our path, too. Remember that you’re a strong, capable, self-confident leader in the arts. Let’s make a promise to one another, right now, to reach out to a colleague and offer some comfort and reassurance. You’ll be glad you did. The arts in Ohio are better when we work together.

To close, it seems appropriate to recall that when Dorothy made it home safe and sound, her supporters and friends were there—her home was intact. It’s time to find your ruby slippers—mine were way back in the far corner of the closet, but I found them, and they fit! I’ll meet you on our yellow brick road to success … mask on, 6 feet apart, doing what we do best … supporting the arts in Ohio!

Until next time,

Donna S. Collins
Executive Director