Assessment Questions

Consider the following when assessing your organization:

1. What is your organization’s philosophy regarding:
   • Arts programming?
   • Artistic direction?
2. Describe your organization’s:
   • Audience composition and attendance
   • Community image and support
   • Strength of management/governing structure
   • Current activities
3. Describe your organization’s economic assets and liabilities, currently and for the past three years.
   
   • Expenses
     • Personnel
     • Administrative (other)
     • Facility rental/utilities
     • Debt service/taxes
   • Revenues (include sources)
     • Earned (ticket sales, membership, etc.)
     • Grants from public sources
     • Private grants
     • Other
     • Possible futures sources of income
4. Describe other arts facilities in the community, and their locations. Why are these facilities not acceptable for your use?
   
5. What other building fund drives are currently under way?
   
6. Describe the current facility your organization is using in terms of:
   • Overall condition
   • Level of technical equipment for your needs
   • Physical location
   • Community image
   • Biggest asset
   • Budget deficits
   • Suitability for your needs

Now clarify the kinds of changes you have in mind, and the assistance you can draw upon in making these changes.

1. Do you want to change your organization’s:
   • Programming (level or kind of change)?
   • Management?
   • Community image/support?
   • Funding base?
2. What facility changes do you want and/or need to make?
   • New facility?
   • Major renovation (be specific)?
   • Minor addition(s) or interior alterations?
   • Technical improvements?
   • Correction of a previous “improvement”?
3. What are the space needs of your organization, and any other organizations involved?
   
4. Do any local arts or community organizations in need of space seem like potential users/renters? What are their needs and use requirements?
5. Will the facility changes require alterations in your:
   • Programming?
   • Management structure?
   • Community support?
   • Financing?
   • Operating costs?
6. Who will benefit from the new facility, and how?
   • Art lovers (the already-committed)?
   • The local community in general?
   • People located in a 100-mile radius?
   • Business – retail, hotels, restaurants?
   • Industry (by attracting new employees)?
7. What kind and degree of support (broken down into capital construction funds, operating funds and political assistance) can you expect from:
   • City/county departments (building/school/planning) and local officials?
   • Community organizations/neighborhood groups?
   • Other arts groups?
   • Corporate and financial leaders in the community, including local merchants?
8. Why do you believe this support is forthcoming?