Artistic Reflection Kit

What’s included in the Kit

The Kit has been designed to supply arts organisations with practical information and examples of tools to use to reflect on artistic vibrancy. The Kit includes:

  • An A3 poster that can be used to discuss, plan for and explore artistic reflection
  • Information about the elements of artistic vibrancy
  • Information on stakeholders to include in the process
  • Examples of three year artistic reflection cycles that describe the process
  • Information about tools with practical examples and templates

How to use the Kit

The Kit is a guide to assist you through the whole process of artistic reflection. There are three key steps:

Step 1 – Plan

Selecting the tools

Where are you now?

Where do you want to be?

  • You will see that the tools are grouped in basic, good and recommended effort
  • Ensure that you include most of the tools from the basic effort section
  • Arts organisations should also aim to implement tools from the good and recommended effort sections

What tools do you need to get there?

  • When selecting the tools consider all the elements of artistic vibrancy and where the effort should be focused
  • Ensure you include multiple stakeholders

Securing buy-in

  • Ensure your whole organisation including artists, management and the Board understands the approach and the selected tools. Successful implementation of the tools will require the cooperation between multiple parties.

Scheduling and resourcing

  • Create a detailed plan for the first year of your artistic reflection cycle. Plot out which tools you will be implementing when and who will be responsible for managing each. Click here for some examples of how to implement tools over three years.
  • Check that this is achievable - if not, prioritise and do the most important things first.

Kick-off

  • Kick-start the process by holding a workshop with key staff to get things started

Need help with planning for artistic reflection?

The Australia Council's Arts Organisations staff will be able to assist your organisation in planning for artistic reflection. If you require more information on the process or need assistance with this first step, please contact Kevin du Preez on 02 9215 9015 or k.dupreez@australiacouncil.gov.au.

Step 2 – Implement

Tips for implementation

  • Dedicate a project lead on the implementation of each tool, ensuring appropriate time and resources are available.
  • Consider the budget required for some of the tools. Many of the tools are inexpensive to run, but others like the Audience Impact Surveys do require a financial investment. Remember that you do not have to do everything at once. For instance, you can implement the more resource intensive tools every three years.
  • Time the implementation of the tools so that the results can feed into the next programming and planning cycle.
  • A good idea is also to repeat some of the tools over a period of time so that you can track trends and changes. For example, you can measure the aesthetic growth of your audience over time.
  • Consult (and potentially collaborate) with other arts organisations, who are already implementing these tools, to share learnings.
  • Capture what you learn from the process along the way, including what works and what doesn’t, in a “Lessons-learned log”.

Step 3 – Review

Internal reflection

At the end of the first year of your reflection take a moment to review your progress. Discuss the findings from the tools, identify the lessons learned and discuss what you will be doing differently as a result of these findings.

How to do this

  • The project lead compiles all the findings from the tools
  • Schedule a workshop with key staff to discuss the findings and identify the lessons learned
  • Include the findings on the agenda for a board meeting
  • Artistic Director, management and Board discuss how to incorporate the findings in the next planning cycle

Next cycle

Through the artistic reflection process you would have learned about your artistic strengths, gaps and opportunities. It is now time to act on these learning.

After discussing these learnings it is important to make changes to your next business plan, including the artistic plan

Sharing your findings

Organisations might find it useful to keep their stakeholders informed of their work in this area. Some organisations chose to formally discuss or report this in their annual reports. This reporting could be structured around the elements of artistic vibrancy.

Quick download

Get a copy of the Kit:

Contact Us

For more information please get in touch with:

David Everist, Program Manager
d.everist@australiacouncil.gov.au

Telephone: +61 (0)2 9215 9112