Resource Library

Thank you to the many people who have been blog contributors to, and readers of ArtsBlog over the years. ArtsBlog has long been a space where we uplifted stories from the field that demonstrated how the arts strengthen our communities socially, educationally, and economically; where trends and issues and controversies were called out; and advocacy tools were provided to help you make the case for more arts funding and favorable arts policies.

As part of Americans for the Arts’ recent Strategic Realignment Process, we were asked to evaluate our storytelling communications platforms and evolve the way we share content. As a result, we launched the Designing Our Destiny portal to explore new ways of telling stories and sharing information, one that is consistent with our longtime practice of, “No numbers without a story, and no stories without a number.”

As we put our energy into developing this platform and reevaluate our communications strategies, we have put ArtsBlog on hold. That is, you can read past blog posts, but we are not posting new ones. You can look to the Designing Our Destiny portal and our news items feed on the Americans for the Arts website for stories you would have seen in ArtsBlog in the past.

ArtsBlog will remain online through this year as we determine the best way to archive this valuable resource and the knowledge you’ve shared here.

As ever, we are grateful for your participation in ArtsBlog and thank you for your work in advancing the arts. It is important, and you are important for doing it.

40 ITEMS FOUND

pARTnership Movement Essay: Put Your Company in the Spotlight

Arts partnerships frequently offer companies effective and cost-efficient methods of achieving critical business goals. Americans for the Arts is producing a series of eight essays that will explore and illustrate the different types of benefits that arts partnerships can bring to your company. This particular essay addresses how to build your market share, enhance your brand, and reach new customers by partnering with the arts to put your business in the spotlight.

Arts partnerships offer companies effective and cost-efficient methods of achieving critical business goals. In fact, 79% of businesses agree that the arts increases name recognition, and 74% of businesses say the arts offer networking opportunities to developing businesses (2010 BCA National Survey of Business Support for the Arts). The second essay in The pARTnership Movement essay series, Put Your Company in the Spotlight, shares stories of how some of America’s top companies partner with the arts to build market share, enhance their brand, and reach new customers.

Report
Dalton, Aaron
16
August, 2015
File Title: 
pARTnership_PutYourCompanyintheSpotlight
Publisher Reference: 
Americans for the Arts
Research Abstract
Is this an Americans for the Arts Publications: 
Yes
Image Thumbnail of Pub Cover: 
August 2015
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The Psychology of Logo Designs: More Than Meets The Eye Infographic

This colorful infographic illustrates the psychology behind logos, breaking down how they affect consumers' perceptions of a brand. From typeface to color and shape, every aspect of a brand's logo implies something about the company's identity to the viewer. For example, a circular or curved logo like Pepsi's suggests community, sending a positive emotional message. The color blue -- used in the Facebook and Visa logos -- tells potential clients and consumers that the brand is strong and trustworthy, and instills a sense of calm. FedEx has minimal spacing between the letters of its logo, because this reflects the tight, speedy service it offers.

This colorful infographic illustrates the psychology behind logos, breaking down how they affect consumers' perceptions of a brand. From typeface to color and shape, every aspect of a brand's logo implies something about the company's identity to the viewer.

Infographic
Colourfast Printing
1
January, 2015
One Pagers
Image Thumbnail of Pub Cover: 
2015
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Win the Gold: Turn Branding Oops into Whoop Whoops

Why do some brands flop and others thrive? Even corporations with multimillion marketing budgets and hundreds of staff members have suffered as a result of major branding failures. And in the digital age, consumers are quick and often harsh in reaction to a branding decision gone wrong. From logo redesigns to product extension, this e-book explores six brands that have made a major OOPS, six other brands that get a ‘WHOOP WHOOP’ for their work well done, and how all of this can be applied to the arts. You’ll:

  • Learn why GAP failed in successfully engaging their online community when attempting to redesign their iconic logo.
  • Understand why Netflix took a major hit in the area of brand loyalty when it split its business into two divisions.
  • Why the “Syfy” channel may have alienated its core audience as a result of its rebranding efforts.

This e-book explore 12 companies, 6 that had brand mis steps and 6 that used their brand in exemplary ways. From logo redesign to new product introductions, companies use their brand to communciate their core values. Learn from this e-book some do's and dont's of brand development.

E-Book
Americans for the Arts
National Arts Marketing Project E-Book
18
January, 2012
Publisher Reference: 
Americans for the Arts (ArtsMarketing.org)
Research Abstract
Image Thumbnail of Pub Cover: 
2012
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8 Ways to Make Arts Organizations More Human

his e-book was created in collaboration with guest author Rohit Bhargava.  

What if selling passion for the arts wasn't the best way to build a more successful arts organization? What if it takes something else? The aim of this e-book book is to share the real secret to building more audience passion that leads to better fundraising, more community support, and increasing your audience. The "secret" is simple: you need to make your arts organization more human.
 

The aim of this e-book book is to share the real secret to building more audience passion that leads to better fundraising, more community support, and increasing your audience. The "secret" is simple: you need to make your arts organization more human.

E-Book
Bhargava, Rohit
National Arts Marketing Project E-Book
14
January, 2012
Publisher Reference: 
Americans for the Arts (ArtsMarketing.org)
Research Abstract
Is this an Americans for the Arts Publications: 
Yes
Image Thumbnail of Pub Cover: 
2012
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6 Ways to Keep it Personal: Engaging & Managing Your Audiences Innovatively, Authentically, & Personally

Today’s audiences have more demands, different priorities, and higher expectations than ever before. With the number communication devices and platforms available and the amount of disruptive media online, arts marketers need to capture the attention of their audience by getting personal. To help you shed the formal "marketer" persona and engage with your audience on the customized level they deserve, we have compiled essential ways to Keep it Personal and the resources you need for carrying it out easily and effectively.

In this e-book, 6 Ways to Keep it Personal: Engaging & Managing Your Audiences Innovatively, Authentically, & Personally, you will:

  • Enter into the mobile marketing arena to learn which practical tools are best to reach your audiences on the go
  • Become skilled & savvy at developing a unique voice specific only to your arts organization
  • Understand why keeping your marketing personal establishes an emotional connection between your institution and your patron and ensures long-lasting patron loyalty

In this e-book, 6 Ways to Keep it Personal: Engaging & Managing Your Audiences Innovatively, Authentically, & Personally, you will:

  • Enter into the mobile marketing arena to learn which practical tools are best to reach your audiences on the go
  • Become skilled & savvy at developing a unique voice specific only to your arts organization
  • Understand why keeping your marketing personal establishes an emotional connection between your institution and your patron and ensures long-lasting patron loyalty
E-Book
Americans for the Arts
National Arts Marketing Project E-Book
18
January, 2011
Publisher Reference: 
Americans for the Arts (ArtsMarketing.org)
Research Abstract
Is this an Americans for the Arts Publications: 
Yes
Image Thumbnail of Pub Cover: 
2011
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Case Study: "I am a Dancer" Campaign The Milwaukee Ballet Company

The Milwaukee Ballet Company launched the "I Am a Dancer" campaign in the summer of 2005, with the thought that if they could introduce the dancers to their fellow Milwaukeeans by highlighting what makes them interesting people in their private lives–it would be a natural way to increase awareness of them and the Milwaukee Ballet Company. The Dancer Campaign centers on photographs of the dancers in their everyday clothes with something that identifies them personally (snowboard, canoe, guitar) and includes a screened-back dance image with the tagline: "I am a dancer...see me dance."

The Milwaukee Ballet Company launched the "I Am a Dancer" campaign in the summer of 2005, with the thought that if they could introduce the dancers to their fellow Milwaukeeans by highlighting what makes them interesting people in their private lives–it would be a natural way to increase awareness of them and the Milwaukee Ballet Company. The Dancer Campaign centers on photographs of the dancers in their everyday clothes with something that identifies them personally (snowboard, canoe, guitar) and includes a screened-back dance image with the tagline: "I am a dancer...see me dance."

Case Study
Stravinski Sharrow , Chris
3
January, 2006
Publisher Reference: 
Americans for the Arts (ArtsMarketing.org)
Research Abstract
Is this an Americans for the Arts Publications: 
Yes
Image Thumbnail of Pub Cover: 
2006
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Influencer Marketing is the New King of Content

Influencer marketing has been around for decades but it was only recently that we started to see why it's such an integral part of content marketing. Traditional advertising and pretty much any form of marketing coming from a brand isn't relatable enough anymore. 

Influencer marketing has been around for decades but it was only recently that we started to see why it's such an integral part of content marketing. Traditional advertising and pretty much any form of marketing coming from a brand isn't relatable enough anymore. 

Infographic
Lauren Jung
1
File Title: 
Influencer Marketing is the New King of Content
One Pagers
Is this an Americans for the Arts Publications: 
No
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A Brand's Narrative: The Impact of Brand Storytelling

Consumers are actively seeking out brands who tell stories. They want to believe in a part of something bigger than the brand.This infopgraphic illustrates facts that shows the difference in traditional advertising vs. storytelling - from a consumer's point of view. 

This infographic, from PlayNetwork, illustrates the importance of brand storytelling, from the consumer’s viewpoint.

Infographic
PlayNetwork
1
July, 2014
File Title: 
A Brand's Narrative: The Impact of Brand Storytelling
Publisher Reference: 
PlayNetwork
One Pagers
Is this an Americans for the Arts Publications: 
No
Image Thumbnail of Pub Cover: 
July 2014
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Artists & Creatives: Define Your Personal Brand in 3 Steps

In 20-30 minutes, this guide will help you clearly articulate your personal brand and unique story, so that you can beautifully and genuinely connect with your ideal audience, allowing you more time to actually make your work.

If you’ve downloaded this guide, chances are that you’re an artist or creative entrepreneur who might feel one or all of the following:

  • †Inadequate at articulating what you do (your brand) in person, in writing, and online
  • Overwhelmed with balancing making work, marketing, business and life
  • †A strong need to make more money from your art or creative work, and get the major opportunities that will propel your career further
Toolkit
Jones, Sarah & Wenglowskyj, Andrea
5
January, 2017
File Title: 
ARTISTS & CREATIVES: Define your personal brand in 3 steps
Publisher Details: 
© Kind Aesthetic 2017
Research Abstract
Is this an Americans for the Arts Publications: 
No
Description: 
As a small business owner—artists and creative entrepreneurs, that’s you—you may be unsure of your personal brand. You may be thinking, “Do I even need one? ‘Brand’ sounds like a word that only corporate companies use.” We 100% understand that thought process. We once thought that, too. But you do have a serious business: your work. And you do indeed have a personal brand; it already exists within you.
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2017
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4 Steps to Succeed Your Personal Branding

"According to “The Recruiting Manuel” designed by Jobvite, 55% of recruiters have already reconsidered a candidate based on their social media profile. With the figure in mind, you can now understand the importance of giving the right image about yourself online. If your job hunting, simply having the right brand image can offer your dream job."

Learn how to build a successful  personal brand via social media in just 4 steps with this infographic from Reputation VIP.

Infographic
reputation VIP
1
December, 2015
File Title: 
Personal Branding Infographic: 4 steps to succeed your personal branding
Publisher Reference: 
Reputation VIP
One Pagers
Is this an Americans for the Arts Publications: 
No
December 2015
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