Resources

Ask artsmanager.org gives you the opportunity to receive practical advice about challenges facing your organization www.artsmanager.org

Stanford Social Innovation Review and the Stanford Graduate School of Business Alumni Consulting Team (ACT) have teamed up to provide answers to questions about managing nonprofits www.ssireview.org/expert

The Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management's Chicago Nonprofit Gateway's Ask The Expert http://gateway.northpark.edu/exchange

Chicago Artists Resource
http://www.chicagoartistsresource.org/
A program of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Chicago Artists Resource (CAR) features hundreds of articles shared by leading organizations in arts and service -- notably the New York Foundation for the Arts, UIC Center for Health in the Arts and LA-based Side Street Projects. CAR also features links to grants, funding, awards and other services for artists.

Impact of Current Economic Conditions - April 2009
In its role of understanding and improving the health of small arts and cultural organization in the Chicago area, the Arts Work Fund surveyed and interviewed grant recipients and grant applicants to learn how they are faring in the current economic climate. The findings underscore the even greater importance of grant funds dedicated to stabilizing the area’s small arts and culture organizations and the need to support innovation in business and operational practices. For the full report, click here.

smARTstart
http://www.artsbiz-chicago.org/ArtsPrograms/smARTstart/tabid/228/Default.aspx
A program of the Arts & Business Council of Chicago, smARTstart is a compendium of on-line resources that addresses questions that emerging and small arts organizations might have about operating as a not-for-profit organization.

Tools for Results Toolkit
http://www.arts.state.tx.us/toolkit
A resource from the Texas Commission for the Arts for non-profit arts and cultural organizations that covers: Fundraising & Development, Programs & Exhibitions, Cultural Tourism, Marketing, Advocacy, and Nonprofit Basics. Each section covers the relevant concepts, best practices, things to consider, ideas for implementing change, common mistakes, ways to get started, and how-to's. The "tools" are the sample forms, letters, documents, checklists, templates, and other resources.

Arts Extension Services Self-Assessment
The arts organization focused assessment affirms strengths and identifies weaknesses and areas needing attention. It is easy and relatively fast to complete and good for small organizations.

NEA Self-Assessment
This arts organization based tool helps assess strengths and weaknesses by asking a respondent to rate different factors as "strong, adequate or weak". There are about 180 different items to be rated that are divided by operational area. You can use it to concentrate on one topic area (planning, finances, etc.) or on all areas. Download the NEA Self-Assessment form instructions >

Marguerite Casey Foundation Organizational Capacity Assessment
This tool is aimed generally at nonprofits. It is a good tool for identifying what might be needed to move to another level of development.