Aspects of Successful Facilities

We asked a few well-known Chicagoans who are involved in the arts to tell us what they think are essential factors in maintaining quality and sustainability for arts facilities. Their answers focused on four key points:

• Good Design
• Location
• Closely relating programming to finances
• Community relations

Good Design
Some popular cultural facilities are shoehorned into buildings that barely work for them. Bad design can adversely affect your audiences, image, and way of doing business - in short, your success. Good design -- particularly in new buildings or renovations -- can help your organization grow and operate more smoothly. Design issues to consider:

• Where are the windows? Are there any on the street?
• Is the entry visible?
• Is the space interesting and inviting?
• Does the space offer informal gathering spaces?
• Are their specialty spaces?
• Are there multi-purpose spaces?
• What are the building’s important amenities?
• Can you easily phase in new construction and renovations into the space?

Location
 Location issues to consider when considering a facility:

• Cost
• Foot traffic
• Public transportation
• Restaurants
• Other cultural institutions nearby
• Audience proximity
• Visibility
• Perception of safety
• Image of area
• Parking
• Neighborhood attitude toward arts activities 

Some organizations have flourished without having the above work to their advantage.

Programs and Finances
Programming success is dependent on many factors, including the organization's overall financial stability and success. Consider:

• The need to produce programming that turns a profit through sales
• Careful budgeting and good financial management
• Your audience. What do they want, and can you deliver these services in a financially sound manner?
• Facility. Can it be used for multiple uses? What other ways can it generate funding?  

Community Relations
Cultural facilities are important institutional assets to their communities. The best cultural facilities understand what it takes to play this role successfully, and do it on a continuous basis. Consider:

• Partnerships
• Meeting community needs
• Outreach
• Membership in community groups
• Role in community development