Crowdsourcing Change: Helping Some Major Philly Arts Organizations Make Better Use of the Social Web

We’re excited to present another edition of our popular “Crowdsourcing Change” program on Tuesday, May 1. We’ve got three terrific local arts organizations eager to receive the wisdom of our crowd. 

In case you’ve never been to one of these lively events, here’s the way it works: Each presenter shares how they’re using online marketing and the social web to achieve their goals and objectives. Then the crowd (that’s you!) participates in a facilitated discussion about how each presenter might use the social web to even greater effect.  It’s a fun format for learning, sharing and potentially making a significant contribution to worthy projects. 

We start gathering at 6 PM at the Friends Center (1501 Cherry Street).  Light fare is available, and RSVP’s are appreciated. Not in Philly? Or can’t make it downtown? Watch the live Internet stream at http://phillynetsquared.org/live, and contribute your questions and comments via our Twitter backchannel. (hashtag: #phlnet2).

Presenters on the May 1 program: 

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Presenter: Amanda Inderbitzen, Marketing and Communication Specialist

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is a world-class performing arts destination in the heart of Philadelphia. Showcasing an international array of programs that include music, dance and theater, the Kimmel Center is also the home base for several of our city’s most acclaimed performing arts organizations, including The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Philadanco and Pennsylvania Ballet.

Questions The Kimmel Center would particularly like our crowd to address include:

• How can we use social media on a more personal level?
• How can we use the patterns and activities in our social media properties to help sculpt our social media-marketing plan?
• What are ways we can improve how we tie our social media efforts to our traditional marketing initiatives (print, television, radio, etc.)

LocalArtsLive
Presenter: Sharon Torello, Founder

LocalArtsLive is a central source of information and discussion about classical music in the Philadelphia region. With a special focus on small, new, and community ensembles that struggle to publicize their events, LocalArtsLive works to strengthen the classical music community by connecting people and organizations while appealing to a more diverse audience and making it easy to find events of interest.

Questions LocalArtsLive would particularly like our crowd to address include:

• How can we improve two-way conversation? Most of our messages do not spark replies.
• We actively use Ning, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Foursquare and email newsletters (our Google+ efforts have stalled): What other social tools we should consider? 

Mural Arts Program
Presenter: Almaz Crowe, Special Events and Marketing Manager

The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Programhas created more than 3,000 murals that enliven the environs throughout our city. Its projects enable neighborhoods to tell their individual and collective stories as well as pass on culture and tradition. The program also engages Philadelphia’s at-risk children, youth, and adults who find their artistic voice, develop their self-confidence, and discover new ambitions while creating murals.

Questions The Mural Arts Program would particularly like our crowd to address include:

• Youth play a large part in Mural Arts’ mission. How do we effectively and appropriately communicate with them?
• Through new, cutting-edge projects like Philly Painting with Haas & Hahn and The Roots Mural Project, we are reaching new audiences who may not have previously had contact with our organization. Once these individuals begin following/fanning us, how do we continually engage them?
• How does Mural Arts create a virtual community - and create two-way conversations - to better serve our diverse constituents? 

What special contrbution do YOU have to make to the crowd?

YOUR expertise. If you’re familiar with using social web tools with your own organization or with others, your knowledge and experience are welcome.

YOUR perspective.  Whether or not you’re an “expert”, you’ve seen good and bad websites, and you may have impressions about these particular organizations.  The more diverse perspectives we have in the room, the more useful this exercise will be.

YOUR questions.  If you have a question (e.g., “Why should I ‘like’ your Facebook page?”), chances are that other people have similar questions .  These are important organizations in our community, and if you don’t understand something about the social tools they’re trying to use to reach people like you, then your questions can be vital contributions to their success.

This promises to be an interesting, unique and practical event.  Please join us in person, or online. 

Special thanks to our sponsors, the American Friends Service Committee(AFSC).