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On the Boards 

Description

OtB has built a legacy as the region’s leading incubator for provocative performance. Our goal of presenting and producing field-defining artists to audiences is realized through our core programs. Our regional programs allow talented NW artists to develop new work through a continuum of developmental programs, and our Inter/National Series brings leading worldwide artists to our community. Through OntheBoards.tv we share contemporary performances to global online audiences and universities.   

Mission Statement
Founded by artists in 1978, On the Boards (OtB) introduces audiences to international innovators in contemporary dance, theater and music while developing and presenting new work by Northwest performing artists.
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On the Boards
100 W Roy St 
Seattle 
WA
98119 
(206) 217-9886 

Sarah Wilke 
Managing Director 

Programs

On the Boards Programs

OtB serves artists and audiences through our three core programs:

The Inter/National Series introduces leading voices from around the world in the contemporary performing arts to Seattle. Through this series we have presented performances by visionary artists like Mariano Pensotti (Argentina), Gob Squad (UK), She She Pop (Germany) and Young Jean Lee (NYC).

The Northwest Series is dedicated to growing the Northwest’s creative community by producing and presenting evening-length works by some of the most talented and experimental artists from our region. With our Performance Production Program, we provide artists with significant commissioning support and resources to develop new work. Together with the NW New Works Festival and 12 Minutes Max, our regional programs feature approximately 250 local and regional companies annually, providing a platform for Northwest artists to gain broader audiences for their work.

OntheBoards.tv, presents HD contemporary performance films of the best international and regional contemporary performance to online audiences around the world. Through this program we are expanding audiences for contemporary performance by breaking down the barriers of geography, cost and schedule. OntheBoards.tv currently has users from every state and 122 countries and hosts 31 performance films. Additionally, we partner with over 25 educational subscribers to share our content with thousands of students including Princeton, Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, Duke and MIT.

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

OtB’s Dance Production Program, with seed funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, provides select artists with creative and technical residencies, development support, project management, dramaturgical support, greater feedback and peer networking, and promotional support from OtB staff.  Since its launch OtB has supported 11 dance artists though this program. We have learned that codifying, evolving and increasing investment in our current practices can have a significant impact on OtB, the artists we present and the field at large. As a result, this year, we expanded these resources to theater artists, hosting multi-week development residencies for world premiere projects by Annie Dorsen (NYC) and Christian Rizzo (France).

In 2010 we launched OntheBoards.tv, one-of-a-kind initiative presenting HD performance films to online audiences. Films are available for stream, download or mobile viewing.  OntheBoards.tv breaks down barriers of geography, time and cost for arts participation; creates opportunities for audiences to develop relationships with artists; establishes new standards for performance documentation; creates new revenue streams for artists; and provides content for higher education.  The growth of the program in a short period of time proves that OntheBoards.tv is vital to artists and audiences. However, with several of our OntheBoards.tv grants sun setting in FY13 and FY14 we are actively and aggressively seeking out new program support for FY14 and beyond.

Evaluation


On the Boards (OtB) is a valuable player in the local arts ecology. They produce and present cutting edge contemporary work in dance, music, theater, and multimedia performance from the Northwest and around the world. OtB commissions new work, supports artist residencies, advocates regionally and nationally for tours of work by Northwest artists, and organizes collaborations between local, regional, national and international partners.

Proven Success
OtB continues to see increases in audience members and nearly full capacity for their shows. They have increased their subscription and ticket sales in a time when many organizations are seeing declines in one or both. They launched OntheBoards.TV last year which creates and broadcasts high-definition visual recordings of their performances accompanied by online resources tied to the performance. The recordings are available for rent or purchase. They are seeing early successes with this effort with high-quality product and significant viewership, with an especially high interest from academic institutions.

Use of Best Practices
OtB provides a contextual Performance Prospectus for each show, providing audiences an additional forum to engage with complex ideas and art. The Prospectus allows them to bundle a variety of intensive content around the performances ahead of the shows, giving audiences extra information to help them connect with, understand and appreciate challenging performances they see at OtB. They are downloadable and mobile format-friendly.

Collaboration
On the Boards creates and maintains a variety of mission-centric partnerships with other nonprofit arts organizations locally and around the nation and world. Locally, they co-produce and present new performances, as well as participating in local consortia efforts, such as bringing a valued tour to Seattle. Outside of Seattle they work closely with peer contemporary arts groups in North America to co-produce or co-commission new work, coordinate artist tours and share international visa costs and provide resources to artists of mutual interest.

Financial Health
OtB is financially strong. They own their building and an adjacent parking lot loan-free which helps cover costs through rentals and earned income. They are successful with fundraising with a high percentage of their income coming from a diverse source of contributed income. They remain debt free, with no long-term liabilities, and hold significant operating and building maintenance reserve funds.

Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:

Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:

DateAmountPurpose
9/10/2011 $15,000.00support general operating expenses.
9/10/2010 $15,000.00support general operating expenses.
10/1/2008 $20,000.00support general operating expenses.
10/5/2006 $20,000.00support general operating expenses.
3/18/2004 $25,000.00support general operating expenses.

Financials

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