DIY: Facilitate a Strategic Planning Retreat for Your Arts Organization

Strategic Planning retreats are an opportunity to reflect on the past and envision the future of your arts organization whether it is non-profit or for-profit. Key participants joining together for a day or more with purpose and process is a key activity in strategic plan alignment. Retreats can kick-off a planning process, be a touch point during plan implementation or a time for reflection as a strategic plan comes to conclusion. Gain insights from Dr. Amy Kweskin of Artsightful, an expert arts management consultant, author and educator.

Amy creates a safe and supportive learning environment in which she shares tools, frameworks and resources to help you gain insights into strategic planning. Plus, the group setting offers you the benefit of working and learning alongside peers. Amy creates a safe, confidential and supportive environment where you can thrive.

This workshop is part of Artsightful’s DIY Strategic Planning series where you learn to Do it Yourself without having to pay a consultant. Pick the workshops that work for you.

Online Session:

This is a single meeting, 3-hour online session with two meeting date and time options:

Tuesday, April 1, 2025 from 2-5pm PT (5-7pm ET)

OR

Thursday, April 10, 2025 10am-1pm PT (1-3pm ET)

• Meets via Zoom.

• Content is presented in an interactive format.

• Two 10-minute breaks included in the session.

• Session will be recorded and accessible only to participants.

• For confidentiality, breakout sessions will not be recorded.

Content Covers:

• Discovering the impact of strategic planning retreats
• Determining the purpose of your retreat
• Identifying participants to invite
• Exploring participant roles and responsibilities
• Gathering helpful data in advance through pre-retreat questionnaires
• Setting a purposeful agenda with pre-retreat planning meetings
• Preparing retreat activities using Design Thinking tools
• Utilizing active listening techniques
• Developing facilitation skills to create a safe space
• Determining materials to prepare and share in advance and day-of
• Articulating location and logistic requirement

Recommended Participants:

Staff (paid or volunteer) and Board members of non-profit arts organizations that are considering strategic planning, are already in the planning process or are activating and evaluating an existing strategic plan.

Arts entrepreneurs who are starting an arts venture or working collaboratively to bring clarity to their existing arts business.

Do you work best in collaboration? Bring a colleague for half price and work as thinking partners in this highly reflective process.

Fee Notes:

Artsightful pays your Eventbrite fees.

Optional direct coaching with Amy will also be available for an additional fee.

Host or Publisher Amy Kweskin of Artsightful