||| July 21, 2025 by Eva Silverman

Diane Ragsdale’s ‘Surviving the Culture Change’

Last month, I had the opportunity to attend the Arts Alliance Illinois annual members meeting where the keynote speaker was arts philanthropy expert Diane Ragsdale.  Big thanks to Arts Alliance Illinois for bringing her to Chicago and giving our community the opportunity to be challenged by her brilliant thinking! 

Entitled “Surving the Culture Change,” Ragsdale’s talk was thought-provoking and inspiring.  She dared arts managers to break down barriers and create deeper connections with audiences – something that the Arts Engagement Exchange aims to give you the tools to do.

Trust me, it’s well worth the time it takes to watch or read.

Fortunately, Arts Alliance Illinois has posted a video and transcript of her presentation on their website.    Trust me, it’s well worth the time it takes to watch or read.  Quick and funny, Ragsdale invokes The Titanic, mega churches, the Slow Food movement, Prince, personal break-ups and much more, to offer her thoughts on how to adapt to “The Culture Change.” 

She defines our primary problem as the marginalization of the arts.  Our audiences are getting smaller and smaller because: young people have not had exposure to the arts; new media technologies have changed how we create, consume and communicate; and arts organizations can’t articulate why they matter.  This is “The Culture Change.”

She offers lots of thoughts on how to not only survive this change, but to potentially be part of a powerful transformation. Here are a few that stood out for me:

Find “True Fans.”  The depth of loyalty and quality of engagement of your audience is more important than large numbers.  If you have a small number of “True Fans” who will see everything you do, they will also support you and help you spread the word.

Create cells.  Ragsdale suggests that arts organizations should help their audiences form small groups, or social networks, that make the arts experience more personal, providing a means to deeper engagement.

Be a concierge.  Customize options for people, helping them to narrow down the hundreds of choices to two or three that will interest them most.  Ragsdale imagines a citywide online system that, like an amazon.com, recommends shows, exhibitions, restaurants, books, recordings, etc. based on a patron’s past purchases.  How fantastic would that be?

Again, check out the video post here .  You’ll be glad you did.  And, if you’re like me, you’ll become a “True Fan” of Diane Ragsdale.
 

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