Arts in Action: Case Studies by Global Leaders Institute Fellows
The Global Leaders Institute recognizes that a classroom-based education alone doesn’t cut it when it comes to creating social change. To date, more than 600 arts and cultural professionals from over 40 countries have graduated from the GLI’s one-year MBA program in arts and social action. These professionals truly dig into what it takes to create community impact on the ground, build lasting relationships with community partners, and generate resources that propel the field of arts innovation.
A shining example of the program’s wide-reaching impact is Arts in Action, an online journal of in-depth case studies crafted by GLI Fellows as a result of their fieldwork collaborations with arts organizations around the world. With over 25 studies addressing both common and unexpected issues facing arts organizations, this collection is a treasure chest of actionable advice for arts practitioners to maximize their social impact. GLI Fellows take care to embed a relationship-oriented approach within their systematic analysis, ensuring that these studies speak with an authentic voice while holding timeless value for readers. Read on to experience the depth and breadth of Arts in Action’s library through three case study examples, which we believe will resonate with our equally diverse Ensemble readership.
Overcoming Local Cultural Bias in Arts Education Advocacy: The Case of The Macooba Center, by Angela Kratchmer
In 2018, GLI Fellow Angela Kratchmer spent several weeks in Arusha, Tanzania learning about the work of The Macooba Center, which provides arts education programs to young children. Angela worked both sides of her professional experience as a teaching artist and cultural administrator to examine the social, political, and economic landscape in which the center operates as the only non-school-based arts program reaching students across all socio-economic levels. Despite a high level of community interest, Angela discovered that programs like these are often overlooked for funding, in favor of international initiatives. Through a careful analysis of the local context, Angela was able to draw on her “outsider” status to identify fresh strategies to support founder Mary Ng’wananogu’s efforts in generating buy-in from local partners to build a sustainable program. Angela’s study highlights the importance of relationship-building and advocacy when a new initiative runs up against the “old guard.” If you’re in the process of creating a new program, Angela’s case study is a must-read.
Implementing Structured Learning In The Absence of Local Teachers: The Case of the Jose DePiro Kabataan Orkestra, by Anna Hiemstra
Imagine a situation where information is not simply transmitted from teacher to student, but an entire community co-creates the learning experience. The Jose Depiro Kabataan Orkestra in Bataan, Philippines operates unlike most youth orchestras, as they lack a consistent presence of trained music teachers. Despite dedicated teachers who commute from Manila once per week, supplemented by virtual lessons and guidance from older students, younger students have struggled to progress on their instruments. Insights from 2017 GLI Fellow Anna Hiemstra’s visit shines a light on the ways local, regional, and international resources were used to support the musical development of their students. Her thorough analysis points to how communication and organization among community partners can create optimal learning conditions for young students, promoting a combination of self-guided learning and peer-to-peer support. You can read Anna’s full case study here for comprehensive guidance on how to maximize community support and resources to build a successful orchestral program.
OAcademy On Point: A Case Study, by Marlon Daniel & Rebecca Crenshaw
Since the COVID pandemic, we’ve seen an influx of possibilities for learning and creating music online, inevitably lifting barriers for many who have limited access to in-person music education. In response to the pandemic, the international entity OAcademy seized on an opportunity to reimagine the music conservatory experience, creating a digital curriculum for aspiring orchestral musicians around the world, at a price point well below a conservatory tuition. 2023 GLI Fellows Marlon Daniel and Rebecca Crenshaw praise OAcademy’s revolutionary approach to music education in their case study, while pressing the organization to think strategically about how it can continue to meet the evolving needs of its community. Their proposal to OAcademy is to establish an online symposium—“On Point”—that will bring together former and current students, staff, and professional musicians to address topical issues in the classical music industry. The proposed benefits are exponentially promising; the symposium would help expand their network of musicians, while emergent discussions can feed into the development of future curriculum content. Marlon and Rebecca’s thought-provoking recommendations could very well help OAcademy capture the fast-growing potential of their work in a way they hadn’t otherwise considered.
The three articles described above are just a taste of what you can discover in the full case study catalog on Arts in Action’s website. And if you’re inspired to learn more about the growing field of arts and social action, the Global Leaders Institute welcomes applications for its MBA program each year through its website.
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