Community

We share a strong sense that sustaining our mission and our organizations requires more than our broadcast service alone, and that there are opportunities for classical stations to be a force for good in our communities.

–Classical Music Rising Working Group: The Classical Station as Community Connector

More than 2,000 gathered at Bridge of Song, a community singing event organized by Minnesota Public Radio following a controversial police shooting.© 2016 Minnesota Public Radio®. Use with permission. All rights reserved. http://www.mpr.org/

PHILANTHROPY

Checking Out the Competition, Part I: Why the Symphony Gets Bigger Gifts Than Your Classical Public Radio Station

Checking Out the Competition, Part II: How the Symphony’s Website Speaks to Major Donors

These reports by Deborah Lein highlight major giving fundamentals and best practices that classical stations can borrow from successful music and cultural organizations.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Convening the Classical Community

Effective, affordable, and infinitely variable, station-hosted convenings of local music communities inform the station, promote collaboration, and cultivate relationships that can lead to better service and increased financial support . (July 2018)

Instrument Donation Programs

Last year seven classical public radio stations collected 1,300 donated musical instruments for distribution to under-resourced school districts, specific neighborhood schools, or target student populations. (April 2018)

“From Attic to Classroom”

This guide to organizing a music instrument drive is drawn from two drives sponsored by New York’s classical music station, WQXR. (May 2018)

Youth Talent Showcases

A handful of stations are using their platforms to put talented young performers in the spotlight. These showcases for young musicians encourage musical aspiration and sustained participation, and perhaps a springboard for rising stars. (March 2018)

The Classical Station as Community Connector

In this Working Group report, Classical Music Rising explores how stations can build ongoing, robust relationships for the benefit of the markets we serve. (June 2017)

PMDMC Panel 2017: The Classical Station as Community Connector

Overview and takeaways from the CMR working group’s process (July 2017)

OTHER ARTS COMMUNITY INSIGHTS

Culture Track

The latest report from LaPlaca Cohen on consumer behaviors, motivations, and barriers to participation in the arts (to better understand classical radio’s place in the cultural ecosystem)

Arts & Economic Prosperity V

From Americans for the Arts, a report on the economic impact of nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and their audiences. Locally and nationally, the arts mean business!