AudRev15Nav
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the 2015 Convening fall within the full scope of the Audience (R)Evolution program?
How does TCG define “Audience Engagement” and "Community Development" ?
Is TCG designing this Convening for larger or smaller organizations?
How do I apply for the Audience (R)Evolution grant program?
Why is there an application process to attend the 2015 Convening?
If I attended the 2013 Audience (R)Evolution Learning Convening, will my application have a better chance of being accepted to this year's program?
If I am a staff member at a theatre who has received a (Re)Imagining or (Re)Modeling grant, will this improve my chances of being accepted to the 2015 Convening?
Which people from my organization should apply?
Am I eligible to receive subsidy assistance for the Convening, and if so, how much can I expect to receive?
How can I participate if I am not identified to attend?
Q: Where does the 2015 Convening fall within the full scope of the Audience (R)Evolution program?
A: The 2015 Convening is the second convening of the Audience (R)Evolution program. Our first Convening, in Philadelphia in 2013, was a chance for an intimate group of theatre, arts and cultural professionals to explore successful models of audience engagement in the field as well as to connect with peers from across the nation who are at the forefront of developing audience engagement strategies. It was a preface to our Audience (R)Evolution grant program, which offered TCG Member Theatres $65,000 to (Re)Model or (Re)Imagine successful audience engagement and/or community development models. Read more about the Audience (R)Evolution grant program here.
In 2015, we will build on the work of the 2013 Learning Convening and offer an action-oriented meeting structure and on-the-ground experience in Kansas City. By introducing new and additional audience research, the 2015 Convening will encourage open and dynamic conversations among the professionals closely impacting the future of engagement in the theatre field. This will be accomplished by focusing on interactivity and action as a method of conveying learnings from practitioners. We will also create space for theatres to identify and interact with fellow cohorts that share similar needs, objectives or interests and are looking to address those needs at a deeper level with their colleagues.
The overall Audience (R)Evolution program is best explained on our Audience (R)Evolution webpage; the role of the Convening is laid out in detail on the Convening webpage. If you have further questions after reading both of those pages and the FAQ’s on this page, feel free to contact us at AudienceRev@tcg.org.
Q: How does TCG define “Audience Engagement” and "Community Development"?
A: The Audience (R)Evolution program has been instituted to fully explore audience engagement and community development strategies, practices and working models. Not every organization or individual defines the “audience” in the same way, but for the purposes of the Audience (R)Evolution program, TCG uses the term as all-inclusively as possible. With our exploration of audience engagement, TCG is expanding beyond the idea of a traditional, transaction-based relationship with theatre patrons, and is instead referring holistically to the exchange between theatre-makers and theatre-viewers.
More succinctly, TCG differentiates between "Audience Engagement" and "Community Development" in the following way:
• Audience Engagement builds opportunies for dialogue between theatres and audiences and includes a full spectrum of goals, strategies, tactics and outcomes.
• Community Development connects theatres and non-arts sector partners using artistic assets to build collaborative and mutually beneficial projects addressing community needs.
Both utilize activities that encompass building, deepening, and listening to audiences and potential audiences to determine what is relevant to them; and serving, informing, and opening communications with them to build long-lasting relationships.
Q: Is TCG designing this Convening for larger or smaller organizations?
A: The goal is to share models and best practices for theatres of many shapes and sizes, bearing in mind that the exchanges between larger and smaller organizations, or individuals, are sometimes the most fruitful.
As an attendee, the best plan is to keep an open mind; you might join us with one plan or goal in mind, and leave with a new set of ideas altogether. In addition, TCG will include all levels and different roles within organizations, inviting decision-makers and implementers to the Convening.
Q: How do I apply for the Audience (R)Evolution grant program?
A: The grantees for the first round of the Audience (R)Evolution grant program have been selected and are now in the process of working on their projects. We encourage you to read about the program and its recipients on our website. Information about the next round is forthcoming, and will be available at the time of the 2015 Convening.
Q: Why is there an application process to attend the 2015 Convening?
A: The Audience (R)Evolution program is funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, and a portion of that funding is dedicated toward subsidizing attendee costs. TCG is therefore able to offer partial subsidy assistance to a majority of the attendees who join us in Kansas City. Unfortunately, due to space and funding limitations, TCG is not able to include everyone who submitted an application—and may not be able to offer every attendee subsidy assistance—but will be as inclusive as possible. Please note that the application for the 2015 Audience (R)Evolution Convening has now closed.
Q: If I attended the 2013 Audience (R)Evolution Learning Convening, will my application have a better chance of acceptance to this year's program?
A: Not necessarily, though showing a sustained commitment to the exploration of audience engagement practices is definitely a positive quality. Throughout the application process, TCG will strive to identify participants whose work and experience reflect best practices and forward-thinking for the field at large.
Q: If I am a staff member at a theatre who has received a (Re)Imagining or (Re)Modeling grant, will this improve my chances of being accepted to the 2015 Convening?
A: Not necessarily. We will attempt to have a diverse group of organizations represented at the Convening, showcasing a wide array of audience engagement and community engagement strategies and goals, including those with whom we are already familiar through the first round of Audience (R)Evolution grants.
Q: Which people from my organization should apply?
A: The application for this year's Audience (R)Evolution Convening has now closed. Please click here to read more about the application process.
Q: Am I eligible to receive subsidy assistance for the Convening, and if so, how much can I expect to receive?
A: If you have submitted an application, TCG will notify you by late January 2015 whether you have been identified to attend the Convening, and whether your attendance will include subsidy assistance. Level of subsidy assistance is determined by a number of factors including, but not limited to, how many people from your organization are invited to attend and geographic proximity to the Convening. Note that subsidy assistance may cover (in full or in part) your Convening registration ($250), travel costs including necessary ground transportation (up to $1500) and hotel costs (approximately $170/night). During this year’s Convening, we will be traveling via shuttle between our hotel and primary venue, the Kauffman Foundation Center. TCG will provide shuttles between the meeting sites at no cost to attendees.
Q: How can I participate if I am not identified to attend?
A: TCG will live stream most of the Convening content on our website, and will begin conversations around the Audience (R)Evolution program on Conference 2.0 prior to the Convening, which anyone is welcome to join. As with all our in-person gatherings, these online conversations will continue long after the Convening is over. Additionally, Audience (R)Evolution programming will continue into the National Conference in Cleveland, June 18-20, 2015. The March 2015 Convening is not your last chance to partake in Audience (R)Evolution conversations.
Have a question that isn't answered here or on our main Convening webpage? Email AudienceRev@tcg.org.