Abstract
Many arts organizations struggle to find long-term financial sustainability.[1] There are limited opportunities to build sustainable infrastructure and sources of long-term funding as organizations grow.[2] These risks are particularly challenging for organizations beyond the early startup phase that garner excitement and novelty. Single Carrot Theatre followed a traditional path of establishing a central theatre space for their operations, but unfortunately it created financial strain on the organization that almost resulted in permanent closure. With an established culture of innovation and a focus on artistic decision making, the company decided to implement an innovative organizational and artistic pivot. The company has successfully refined their mission to focus on site-specific and community-based theatre making. Although there were problems with public relations and limiting the perceived image of failure, the company was able to successfully retain a large portion of their patrons. Their nomadic structure lessened financial burdens, created an opportunity for new partners and funding sources and reestablished the company's unique brand of innovative theatre making. Early evidence suggests a recommitment of key stakeholders and potential for growing audiences in new ways. This case is designed to highlight how innovative arts entrepreneurs can pivot from traditional models of theatre and innovate financial success while remaining relevant and impactful to their audience.
 
 [1] “The Fundraising Report,” SMU DataArts, accessed January, 14, 2021, https://culturaldata.org/the-fundraising-report/the-fundraising-report-home/.
 [2] Ibid.
Highlights
Many arts organizations struggle to find long-term financial sustainability.1 There are limited opportunities to build sustainable infrastructure and sources of long-term funding as organizations grow.2 Such risks are challenging for organizations beyond the early startup phase that garner excitement and novelty
Through reading and discussing this case, students should be able to: 1. Explain the risks and rewards considered during an arts organizational pivot; 1 “The Fundraising Report,” SMU DataArts, accessed January, 14, 2021, https://culturaldata.org/the-fundraisingreport/the-fundraising-report-home/. 2 Ibid
The case explains how financial problems, combined with bold artistic choices, created solutions to stay open and lay foundations for future success. This instructor’s manual provides discussion questions, including the exploration of what other decisions the company could have made, and an activity that enables students to explore why Single Carrot Theatre was forced to pivot and what process was used throughout decision making
Summary
Through reading and discussing this case, students should be able to: 1. Explain the risks and rewards considered during an arts organizational pivot;. Explain the risks and rewards considered during an arts organizational pivot;. Consider how artistic vision impacts decision making in an arts organization. To enable students to achieve these learning objectives, the case provides a detailed description of Single Carrot Theatre’s pivot planning and implementation. The case explains how financial problems, combined with bold artistic choices, created solutions to stay open and lay foundations for future success. This instructor’s manual provides discussion questions, including the exploration of what other decisions the company could have made, and an activity that enables students to explore why Single Carrot Theatre was forced to pivot and what process was used throughout decision making
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