Episode #206
How would you prepare your organization to handle something that’s very controversial?
In this week’s video, you’re going to get a peak behind the scenes of how the Tacoma Art Museum turned controversy into great success.
Stephanie Stebich is the Director of the museum. She tells you the story of bringing a highly controversial exhibit to the museum and what they did to communicate with the community, with board members, with volunteers, and with staff. I think this is a story any nonprofit can draw from, even if you don’t deal with anything controversial. It’s really about different ways you can communicate and engage with your community.
Heck, after watching this, you might just look around for something you could do that would be controversial. 😉
This video is a bit longer than the normal weekly episodes, but there’s something to learn all the way through it.
If you have any stories or advice on handling controversy or communicating with your community, please share your advice or stories in a comment box under the video. Thanks.
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Christopher Davenport says
If you have any stories or advice on handling controversy or communicating with your community, please share your advice or stories in a comment box. Thanks.
Diane Tilstra says
Well done. Ms. Stebich brought this opportunity to the community for open dialogue. Excellent way for art to become the leverage to a new understanding.
Doe Stahr says
I sure hope she would be willing to come share her story at the Arts And Social Change Symposium in Seattle http://www.artsandsocialchange.org/
Katy McFall says
What a powerful, poweful video. By 7 minutes in I was in tears, as Ms. Stebich talked about all the different groups in the community who came and how the museum accommodated them. In religious terms, it seemed like a Kingdom of Heaven moment where all were truly welcome and respectful conversation was shared. This video is so intructive for nonprofits. Thank you for sharing–and for sharing the detail of how you turned a potentially contentious event into a successful and inclusive one.
Christopher Davenport says
From an email I received: “This is an absolutely magnificent video. What a wonderful presenter. I learned so much about steps to take ahead of time to set the stage, the incredible kindness that resulted and the wonderful learning opportunities. Thank you. This video deserves to be seen far and wide………maybe as a documentary.”
Susan Howlett says
How eloquent! It was one of your longest videos, but I would have listened for much longer, because she was so well-spoken. What a gift to the Puget Sound region she is!