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Marketing the arts a challenge for state''s nonprofit orgs.

Article Excerpt
"Marketing for nonprofits is a bit of a challenge," said Robert Reed, president and CEO of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra (MSO), resorting to understatement when discussing the obstacles he and other leaders of artistic organizations face in marketing the arts to the public at large.

The MSO has a spot in its organizational chart for a marketing director, but the position is currently frozen -- which is why Reed does much of the public relations work himself.

Budgetary constraints often cause arts organizations to work at finding partners in local communities to share the effort and to be creative in structuring marketing campaigns in making the public aware of the wide array of artistic and cultural events available in Mississippi communities.

Heather Rowland, executive director of the Columbus Arts Council, has struggled with a typical dilemma while at the helm of the organization.

"It is difficult to market the arts sometimes because you are trying to use the funding you have to present the arts," Rowland said.

Reed concurred. "You're spending expenses to generate expenses."

And spending and raising funds is a particularly touchy subject with arts organizations that rely heavily on donations from individuals and corporations. The MSO recently staved off canceling their season after a much-publicized round of negotiations with musicians over salary and benefits, while one of Kit Davis...

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