The Manual of Strategic Planning for Cultural Organizations

Strategic planning is at the heart of every successful business. Museums and cultural institutions are complex organizations. For them, strategic planning is even more vital to both survival and success. Gail Lord and Kate Markert have revised and expanded one of the essential volumes on planning for cultural organizations. From gardens and zoos to art museums and libraries, The Manual of Strategic Planning for Cultural Organizations is a blueprint to be followed. Too often, planning is deferred, replaced with attention to more pressing and immediate needs—which can result in lackluster performance or even failure. With this volume, strategic planning is made accessible and understandable in a straightforward manner. This book is both a ‘how-to’ guide with great, concise case studies and an essential theoretical overview of the processes, philosophies, and practices that underpin any solid strategic planning effort. I hope it will serve as a guide and encouragement for many to invest in the most important task any cultural organization can make beyond a solid mission: its strategic plan to success. -- Alex Nyerges, director and CEO, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Every cultural institution today is operating in a time of great change and has an obligation to help its constituents and stakeholder understand, adapt to, and in many cases take on leadership roles. Lord and Market have created an inspiring manual on how to meet these challenges through change management and strategic planning. This manual is much more than a ‘how to’ primer; the cases studies provide deep insights in ways leaders can execute best business practices to efficiency and effectively achieve a shared mission. Philanthropists, board members, and nonprofit leadership will all want to roll up their sleeves and get to work after reading this forward-looking guide.”— -- Howard Axel, CEO, Four Freedoms Park Conservancy