strategic counsel for arts organizations

---

"We achieve more when we chase the dream instead of the competition". - Simon Sinek

I provide strategic consulting for theatres and arts organizations navigating growth, transition, or complexity. I support executive leaders and boards as they make high-stakes decisions around programming, finances, governance, and long-term sustainability.

In a post-pandemic landscape shaped by new financial realities and evolving business models, this work centers on clarity, intention, and alignment with purpose. Engagements are tailored, discreet, and grounded in real-world experience as an artistic director, producer, and executive. I work alongside organizations not to impose solutions, but to help leaders see clearly, align intentionally, and act with confidence.

I most often partner with:

• Artistic Directors and Managing Directors
• Boards and board leadership
• Producing organizations and presenters
• Foundations and funders seeking organizational insight
• Organizations at financial, leadership, or strategic inflection points

Whether stabilizing, recalibrating, or preparing for the next chapter, the work begins with clarity.

I specialize in:

• Season Planning & Programming Strategy
  Balancing artistic ambition, audience development, capacity, and financial reality.
• Cash Flow & Revenue Increase Increasing cash flow, maximizing profit, identify and creating ancillary revenues                                                                                                      
• Financial Stabilization & Planning
  Cash-flow analysis, scenario planning, and decision support during uncertainty.
• Board Dynamics & Governance
  Clarifying roles, strengthening communication, and aligning leadership and boards.
• Leadership Transition & Support
  Advising during executive transitions or periods of organizational strain.
• Organizational Assessment
  Outside perspective on structure, staffing, strategy, and sustainability.
• New Work & Producing Strategy
  Supporting development pipelines and nonprofit–commercial pathways, including U.S. and U.K. contexts.

Most engagements follow a simple, disciplined arc:

Listen & Assess – Confidential conversations and document review to understand how the organization actually operates.
Clarify & Align – Identifying pressure points, options, and priorities.
Support & Execute – Advising, facilitation, or project-based support to move decisions forward.

Engagements may be short- or long-term, but are always designed to build internal clarity and capacity, not dependency.

My approach invests energy in your vision—working collaboratively to strengthen what matters most. I believe problems are not obstacles to be solved, but information to be understood. When approached with care, they often reveal opportunity.

I believe a rising tide lifts all boats. Healthy arts organizations thrive through dialogue, listening, and thoughtful ownership of their next chapter—honoring both organizational goals and human needs.

Opportunity follows clarity. When vision, strategy, and people align, abundance becomes possible.

This work is practical, strategic, and grounded in lived leadership experience. It respects artistic mission and human complexity. It is not generic consulting, nor outsourced leadership. My role is to help the people inside the organization see clearly and act deliberately.

Much of my consulting work—particularly around leadership and governance—is confidential. I am often engaged quietly, during moments when trust, candor, and care are essential.

*Due to existing professional commitments, consulting engagements are not available within the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

*All consulting, coaching, and commercial producing work is performed solely through Peterman Entertainment and Peterman Productions and is independent of any other professional affiliations.