Strategic Planning

Strategic Planning Process

Today’s environment poses numerous short- and long-term challenges for arts organizations. With a focus on driving public value and a perspective informed by our ongoing study of industry best practices and hands-on experience in communities around the world, we work with arts, cultural, and heritage institutions to develop plans that anticipate and respond to these challenges.

With change a constant for every organization serving the arts and culture sector — from producers and presenters to arts service organizations and foundations — creative thinking and organizational development are essential, and AMS is uniquely positioned to provide support in these critically important areas. Our services — from strategic planning to financial forecasting and board development — focus on defining success and are designed to identify and prioritize planning issues, evaluate alternative responses, and build consensus around a course of action that addresses the business challenges of today and tomorrow.

Are you looking for a strategic planning partner?

Strategic Planning Process

Today’s environment poses numerous short- and long-term challenges for arts organizations. With a focus on driving public value and a perspective informed by our ongoing study of industry best practices and hands-on experience in communities around the world, we work with arts, cultural, and heritage institutions to develop plans that anticipate and respond to these challenges.

With change a constant for every organization serving the arts and culture sector — from producers and presenters to arts service organizations and foundations — creative thinking and organizational development are essential, and AMS is uniquely positioned to provide support in these critically important areas. Our services — from strategic planning to financial forecasting and board development — focus on defining success and are designed to identify and prioritize planning issues, evaluate alternative responses, and build consensus around a course of action that addresses the business challenges of today and tomorrow.

Are you looking for a strategic planning partner?

Our job is to ensure that each client we serve develops the broadest possible arts and cultural opportunity that is relevant, authentic, and in demand.”

Michele Walter AMS Managing Director

Strategies that Create Public Value

Our initial phase, Project Launch and Research, includes taking a deep dive into your previous planning work, operations, patron assessment efforts, and competitive context. In addition to familiarizing our team with these plans and data, AMS spends time engaging essential stakeholders to understand more deeply the range of aspirations, ideas, goals, and concerns regarding the near-term and long-term purpose of your organization.

Our vast experience informs us that the strategic arts initiatives best positioned to be well-received and successfully implemented are collaborative. This is why we unify and engage key stakeholders throughout all phases of the process, which ensures your leadership is on board and aligned from the start.

AMS Strategic Planning Services for Arts and Cultural Organizations

Strategic planning
Organizational development
Board development
Collaborations, mergers, and shared services
Staffing and compensation studies
Operations benchmarking and best practices
Financial modeling and projections
Sector-wide vitality analysis
Cultural policy and planning
Community-wide funding strategies
Change management and collaboration initiatives

AMS Strategic Planning Services for Arts and Cultural Organizations

Strategic planning
Organizational development
Board development
Collaborations, mergers, and shared services
Staffing and compensation studies
Operations benchmarking and best practices
Financial modeling and projections
Sector-wide vitality analysis
Cultural policy and planning
Community-wide funding strategies
Change management and collaboration initiatives

See Our Case Studies

Utilize our progressive approach that embraces problem-solving and collaboration, recognizes diversity, and employs evidence-based methodology to positively shape the arts culture of your community — today and into the future.

Let’s talk about your vision.

Utilize our progressive approach that embraces problem-solving and collaboration, recognizes diversity, and employs evidence-based methodology to positively shape the arts culture of your community — today and into the future.

Let’s talk about your vision.

Real-World Solutions

Commissioned by the City of Boise, AMS White Paper Reveals National Trends Evolving at Performing Arts Centers and the Criteria to Define Success.

AMS Works With Village of Saranac Lake Community to Develop Arts and Cultural Master Plan for Vibrant Cultural Community.

Prior to a major facility investment, Vancouver Civic Theater partnered with AMS to refine operating goals and expectations, define their purpose, and outline an investment strategy to maximize impact.

Real-World Solutions

Commissioned by the City of Boise, AMS White Paper Reveals National Trends Evolving at Performing Arts Centers and the Criteria to Define Success.

AMS Works With Village of Saranac Lake Community to Develop Arts and Cultural Master Plan for Vibrant Cultural Community.

Prior to a major facility investment, Vancouver Civic Theater partnered with AMS to refine operating goals and expectations, define their purpose, and outline an investment strategy to maximize impact.