Creating a Positive Work Culture in the Arts: Strategies for Building Trust and Collaboration

Most non profit arts and culture organizations are full of brilliant, passionate, mission driven employees who are often working for less than what they can make in the private sector. It is also true that these brilliant and passionate folk often burn out far faster than those employed in similar jobs in the public sector. We regularly hear from employees at wonderful organizations that they are leaving and moving on because of issues in the workplace culture, not compensation.  And with a little thought and work, not only can we help stem the tide of workplace burnout, but we can create positive work environments that are more productive and creative. 

Clear Goal Setting

Everyone in your employ wants to know where the company is headed.  In arts and culture even the ushers often have dreams of working higher up in organizations, or founding orgs of their own.  So make sure you are clear with your mission and goals and that all your employees (not just those at the top) have buy-in. 

Meaningful office time

We all know that the idea of coming to an office 9-5 Monday through Friday is DONE.  And for many non profits this is great– especially if you can wind up with less office space and keep down your overhead.  However, we want to make sure to remember that we are in creative fields.  The time spent bantering and connecting with office mates is not wasted, it is often in those moments that new programs are born, new collaborations created. So whether you have a full office or are fully remote, find ways to create “meaningful” office time.  Not just checking the box that we’re sitting at our desks. 

Be open to ideas… and make sure to credit them. 

Once you reach the top of the organizational pyramid you usually have less time with your audience base than those at the bottom of your pyramid.  It’s just the nature of the beast.  Just because you knew everything about the way your organization functioned when you worked your way up 10 years ago doesn’t mean you know all the ins and outs now.  The world is changing rapidly… to that end, make sure to keep an open door to ideas coming from those on their way up.  And when an idea is great, USE IT and then  Make sure to give credit where it’s due.  Respecting our employees is a way to keep them long term.

Transparency

Try your best to be honest with employees daily.  If there are big issues happening, key them in whenever possible. When employees begin to feel moves going on in the shadows they lose trust, and once that is gone it is almost impossible to get back. 

Empathy

When all else fails, act from a space of empathy.  I go back to the beginning of this post- most non profit arts employees are passionate, driven, intelligent and believe in what they are doing.  So try to approach all your meetings with staff knowing that.  Empathy will get you far!

Refinery Arts prides ourselves on helping organizations to define workplace cultures through organizational retreats, leadership intensives, board intensives and helping with hiring and staffing. Let us help you hire and retain the best staff in the business!

Let's Collaborate!