Leadership & Innovation in the Arts with Anne Kogan

Knowbox dance
Sep 24
2 min read

#148: In this episode of Dance Behind the Screen, Martheya talks with arts leader Anne Kogan to explore what it means to innovate while staying rooted in community. Anne shares insights from her career bridging artistic vision and organizational leadership, highlighting strategies for navigating change, fostering collaboration, and reimagining the role of the arts in today’s world. Listeners will gain practical takeaways on leadership, adaptability, and the power of creativity in shaping the future of the arts. (44:17)

Chapters

00:00 Leadership & Innovation in the Arts with Anne Kogan

00:45 Introduction to the Podcast and Today's Guest

01:43 Evaluating Community Arts Programs

05:49 Balancing Wants and Needs in Arts Programming

07:45 Setting Tangible Goals and Using Logic Models

12:10 Key Elements of Resilient Arts Organizations

17:33 No Box Dance: Strengths and Opportunities

20:26 Emerging Trends in Community Engagement

24:06 Defining High-Quality Arts Experiences

27:46 Technology in Arts Programming

30:18 Storytelling in Dance and Technology

40:00 Flash Four: Quick Insights and Recommendations

Actionable Takeaways with Practical Tips

Lead with Curiosity and Openness
- Tip: Start your next project by asking stakeholders and collaborators open-ended questions to uncover needs before making decisions.

“I always try to approach new projects with curiosity—asking questions first instead of assuming I have the answers.”

Center Community in Innovation

Tip: Before launching an initiative, gather feedback through surveys, conversations, or focus groups to ensure your ideas align with community needs.

“Innovation in the arts doesn’t have to mean something flashy—it often means listening deeply to your community and responding with intention.”

Balance Risk with Responsibility
- Tip: Pilot new programs on a small scale first—this allows you to test ideas, manage risk, and learn before scaling up.

“Good leadership is about taking risks, but also creating safety nets for your team and audience.”

Collaboration is a Catalyst
- Tip: Build partnerships across disciplines. Invite diverse voices into the planning stage, not just the execution.

“The most innovative work I’ve been part of has always come from collaboration—when artists, administrators, and communities share ownership of the vision.”

Stay Adaptable in Changing Times
- Tip: Create flexible project plans with room for adjustments. Communicate regularly with your team about changes and learnings.

“Arts leaders have to be adaptable—things rarely go exactly as planned, and flexibility is a strength, not a weakness.”

Bio

Anne Kogan is a creative arts administrator committed to an impactful and sustainable arts sector. As Director of Programs at TACA, Anne oversees all grantmaking and professional development programs, including the creation of the Arts Accelerator.

Prior to TACA, Anne worked at the City of Dallas’ Office of Arts and Culture and the AT&T Performing Arts Center. She previously worked at Lisner Auditorium at The George Washington University, the National Council for the Traditional Arts, and produced US tours for Brazilian artists.

Anne holds an MBA from University of Illinois with specializations in Entrepreneurship & Strategic Innovation and Business Analytics, a Master of Music in Ethnomusicology, and a Bachelor’s in Oboe Performance.