MSAC Board of Directors

Metro South Arts Council

(MSAC)

Strategic Plan

BACKGROUND

MSAC was organized in 1995 in response to the need for arts programming in the South Saint Louis County, Missouri area. The geographic area which MSAC chose to serve was defined as Saint Louis County south of I-64 and northern Jefferson County, an area which includes over a dozen school districts and part of two counties, and overlaps several other arts council-served areas. In its nine-year history MSAC has developed and presented a variety of arts programming, including a Scott Joplin piano competition, theatre workshop, concerts in the park, gifted arts program, and a one-act play festival.

MSAC has obtained funding for these activities primarily through Regional Arts Council (RAC) grants, fundraisers, and program fees. MSAC undertook a Membership Development Plan in 1997 - 1998 to establish procedures for developing a membership base and a broader base of volunteers to carry out the activities of the council.

In 2003, the MSAC Board of Directors felt the organization was at a crossroads and needed reorganization. MSAC has been attempting to serve a very large geographical area with a small but dedicated board and limited resources. It was felt that MSAC could better serve the South County area by decreasing its geographical boundaries to eliminate those areas that were already served by other arts councils, and by redefining its role in service to the South County area to act as an umbrella organization and coordinator for other arts programs and events in addition to its own programming. It also became clear that MSAC needed to clarify and clearly define its image while widening the organization’s visibility and support capabilities. These factors indicated that a strategic plan was needed.

MSAC undertook this process in the fall of 2003 and contracted the services a consultant to research, facilitate, and write the plan.

The following three-year plan was submitted to, and approved by, the Board of Directors:

YEAR ONE - September 2004 - May 2005

· Expand board of directors, restructure committees, and amend bylaws as necessary

Design & construct web site

· Establish communication w/ schools, other arts organizations, academies, arts instructors, arts retailers, artists, musicians, theatre groups, dance schools, etc.

· Acquire first intern(s)

Initiate arts calendar & post to web site, newspapers, etc.

Establish membership structure (use 1998 Membership Development Plan)

Conduct first annual fund drive

Seek & encourage community partnerships

Begin search for home for MSAC

Consider part-time administrative assistant, coordinator, or executive director to coordinate activities & projects.

YEAR TWO - September 2005 - May 2006

· Coach committees to develop more fully

Conduct membership drive

· Conduct second annual fund drive

· Establish home office, acquire basic equipment, furniture & supplies for home office

Expand web site

Develop community partnerships

Hire part-time coordinator or executive director

Expand programs as appropriate

Begin capital campaign if renovations are necessary to new home

YEAR THREE - September 2006 - May 2007

Conduct second annual membership drive

· Conduct third annual fund drive

· Expand programs as appropriate

· Upgrade part-time coordinator or executive director to full-time, and supplement staff with intern(s) as needed

Consider part time development director/fund raising staff

Wind up capital campaign (if one was begun)

Begin renovations to new home w/ capital campaign funds

· Acquire additional equipment & furniture if necessary for new home

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