We are so excited to announce our new Strategic Plan! This is a poignant moment for the sector, and as we head toward our 50th Anniversary, it’s an important moment for us as well.
This Strategic Plan articulates our purpose, values, and direction, and reflects our belief in transparency and shared authorship. This plan was co-authored with the community, 291 people to be exact.
Over the course of six months with Andy Fife of Fife Consulting, we hosted workshops, interviews, focus groups, and surveys. Of those who participated, 59.39% identified as artists or creative practitioners (majority of respondents), 51.76% also said they attend as audience members and 28.82% as past subscribers and 25.29% as current subscribers. Because respondents bring multiple forms of involvement, their input represents not just one viewpoint but a blend of artistic, audience, contributor, and institutional experiences.
This plan establishes a framework for making choices in conditions of uncertainty. It names what On the Boards exists to do, what principles guide decisions, and where we intend to focus its energy and resources over time. We’re looking forward to continuing to build on the plan over the next three to five years.
We’re excited to introduce our new mission, vision, and values along with a slate of new initiatives. We’ll be sharing the full plan, including key strategies and goals, in the months ahead.
A Note from Our Executive and Artistic Director
This strategic plan process has been an exercise in gratitude. I am thankful to the 291 people who contributed to this six-month process. The majority who gave input were artists (59%), plus the overlapping identifiers of audience members, staff, board, funders and community members. The multi-hyphonate of our people fits well in hand with the multidisciplinary art that On the Boards is known for.
This document does what is hard to do: lend language to the ineffable ambition of what On the Boards has, does and will try to do and be in the world. I stepped into leadership at OtB as the sector was emerging from the turbulent pandemic times: a time of great instability, transition, and now opportunity. That last bit, the opportunistic part, is really due to the imagination of artists, the people of Seattle who continue to champion work that perplexes them, and of course, the tremendous generosity of Shari Behnke whose confidence in OtB and me bolsters the ambitions of this strategic plan.
On the Boards punches above its weight in the arts, especially in contemporary performance. We are known around the world. This plan reaffirms OtB’s role as an artistic home for visiting and local artists. And we heard you.
It’s not lost on me that on the eve of the organization's 50th anniversary, we are co-authoring this strategic plan that builds on the spirit of OtB, while attending to the moment with community care, trust, and clarity. I am honored to have this community strategic plan as the compass to navigate the next phase of OtB.
Artist Pathways
It’s clear that there is a community need for us to more deeply support artistic development alongside our presentation of full works.
What’s New
Launching a paid artist residency for regional artists
12 Minutes Max, a new partnership with Base for this beloved developmental program
What We Do
NWNW as a staple for regional new work development and presentation
Annual commissioning through National Performance Network
Workshops with community partners
Artists fees that meet or exceed NPN equitable artist fees
Learn About:
Our Curatorial Council
Community and
Live Gathering
We understand community is something we do together. Experimental performance isn’t everyone’s bag, but if it is, we want you here.
What’s New
Expanding Far UV C to all OtB shows in the 26/27 season for cleaner air and wider accessibility
OtB TV accessible features including optimizing for screen readers and subtitles on all films
What we do
Affinity group free tickets, partnerships with local universities, as well as Path With Art
Audience surveys
Post-show talk-backs with artists
Learn About:
Our Residency
Program
Artistic Leadership and Curatorial
Point of View
This is by far the #1 thing we heard. The season of programming is the heart of OtB and you want it to stay wild and be well articulated at the same time.
What’s New
We are launching a Curatorial Council to collaboratively plan the artistic programing for OtB and our residencies
Megan’s role evolves into Executive and Artistic Director
What We Do
Through filmed artist interviews, we hear from artists themselves
Annual curatorial statement
Community curatorial panel for NWNW festival
A season of regional and visiting artists, across dance, theater, and
multi-disciplinary live performance
Megan Kiskaddon
Executive & Artistic Director
The OtB Strategic Plan is supported by Shari D. Behnke and Tyler Engle.
Far UV C is supported by the 4Culture Cultural Equipment Grant. Pay-what-you can, discounted and free tickets provided by the 4Culture Public Free Access grant. Artist Residencies supported by the 4Culture Cultural Services grant.
Photo Credit: Angie Hauser and Darrell Jones in Fable with Bebe Miller for In Tandem: A Trio of Duets (25/26 Season); Photo by Allina Yang. | Randi Freitas and Nia-Amina Minor in Again, There Is No Other (The Remix) by Amy O’Neal; Photo by Allina Yang (25/26 Season)| Rose Jarboe, Martha Graham Cracker, and Cherdonna in their production,Threesome; Photo by Allina Yang (24/25 Season)| Sehyoung Lee in Make Banana Cry by Andrew Tay and Stephen Thompson (24/25 Season); Photo by Bruce Tom | Timothy White Eagle in his production, Indian School (24/25 Season); Photo by Allina Yang | Emily Bate and Rose Jarboe in her production, You Are Who You Eat (25/26 Season); Photo by Allina Yang.
Our Mission
To cultivate and share experimental works of contemporary performance, to champion artists both near and far, and to provide a home in Seattle for artistic risk and discovery.
Our Vision
A more inclusive, creative, and forward-thinking culture, enabled through the power of artistic experimentation and live encounters.
We value:
Artists and their work: Artists and their process, work, and presentation are central to On the Boards.
Artistic experimentation and risk: OtB embraces diversity, complexity, and experimentation as necessary conditions for discovery and cultural change.
Live and embodied experience: OtB values live, embodied performance as a powerful site of shared presence and transformation.
Belonging and access: Creating communities of belonging and connection around unique and boundary-pushing live art experiences is core to our mission.
Stewardship, care, and organizational sustainability: OtB stewards its people, resources, and relationships with care and integrity, leading through collaboration and mutual respect.
What We Heard & What We’re Doing
You want OtB 4Ever!
You want OtB to be in Seattle long into the future. We are committed to creating a safe place for risky art.
What’s New
We are hiring a Managing Director for organizational health and shared leadership
Investing in facility and tech upgrades to benefit artists.
What we do
Through filmed artist interviews, we hear from artists themselves
Annual curatorial statement
Community curatorial panel for NWNW festival
A season of regional and visiting artists, across dance, theater, and multi-disciplinary live performance