Building Organizational Capacity

Rural Arts Program
Dedicated Alliance staff assistance for Rural Partners and developing organizations

Onsite and on-going technical assistance

The Rural Arts Director is available to provide onsite and ongoing technical assistance to Rural Partners and their boards. This assistance can be tailored for an organization's specific needs and interests. "Courtesy visits" are scheduled at sites with new organizational directors, to introduce the Alliance and Rural Arts Program, and to help the new staff person get up to speed. When requested site or courtesy visits are scheduled, the Rural Arts Director attempts to also schedule "stop by" visitis with area Rural Partners or developing rural arts organizations. These provide an opportunity to keep the field informed and discover and assist developing organizations.

Board Tune-ups

The Board Tune-up is a 30-minute personalized session with the Alliance Rural Arts Director, with time for questions and answers. Rural Partner boards can use our statewide expertise and knowledge to gain inspiration and encouragement, and assist in evaluating and improving their performance. The Board Tune-up is scheduled during a regular board meeting for board members' convenience, and board members have access to requested follow-up information.

The idea is to pick one or two topics that the board wants information about or assistance with. Examples of Board Tune-up topics are:
- General board roles, responsibilities, and rewards
- Need for planning and self-assessment; setting goals priorities, and monitoring
- Developing and maintaining a dynamic, effective board (board grids, expectations, evaluations, communications, board handbooks, etc.
- Involving the community
- Focus on fundraising locally.

Mentoring

"Lean on Me" is a discreet mentoring program available to new executive directors of rural organizations that are part of the Alliance Rurals Partnership (34 designated organizations). It is part of the larger and ongoing support network provided to new people entering the field.

When a new director comes into one of these organizations, the Rural Arts Director makes timely contact to introduce herself and the services and programs available through the Alliance and the Rural Arts Program. It is important to let the new director know that there are both statewide resources and the Rurals network available to assist for general information and specific questions. The new director is encouraged to call with questions and participate in all of the Alliance programs and services that provide information, professional development and networking opportunities.

The Rural Arts Director initiates this professional and working relationship, and monitors the new director as he/she becomes acclimated to their new job. But the new director can also be assigned a peer mentor; someone in the field who is willing to answer specific questions and meet with the new director. The "Lean On Me" assignments are determined by the Rural Arts Director, who tries to match the new executive director with an experienced director whose skills and knowledge can enhance that of the new director. The matchmaking also takes into account geographic proximity and, because a mentoring relationship is dependent on the comfort level of communication between the two parties, personalities are also considered.

The Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations has a long history as New York's primary service association for community based arts and cultural organizations. The Alliance provides leadership and vision, and delivers services, resources and tools that strengthen community cultural organizations. The Alliance monitors, informs and mobilizes the field on statewide and national issues affecting the arts and assists local arts agencies in building community support and developing effective grassroots public policy.ing community support and developing effective grassroots public policy.

245 Love Lane, P.O. Box 96
Mattituck, NY 11952-0096
Phone (631) 298-1234 / Fax (631) 298-1101