River Arts Alliance
Strategic/Work Plan 2023

Mission

River Arts Alliance supports and celebrates regional arts and culture by organizing educational programs, community events, and public art projects while promoting opportunities for artists and facilitating collaborations between organizations in the Winona region.

Vision

To enhance and promote the Winona Region as a center of arts and culture.

Goal 1: Serve the needs and interests of regional artists

Objectives and Actions:

1. Implement and promote public art projects and events
   1. Promote the annual Family Art Day, and continue involvement in the Winona Art Walk, Bluff Country Studio Art Tour, RAA member art exhibit and other artist-led events
   2. Investigate and support new public art projects and events as they develop
2. Implement and promote artist opportunities
   1. Advocate for a community arts and performance space, such as the Masonic Temple.
   2. Advocate for increased venues for art sales, including a visual arts gallery.
   3. Serve as fiscal agent for area artists.
   4. Promote educational projects such as craft workshops, and sales and business education workshops.
3. Promote the work of regional artists
   1. Maintain a website with member profiles and current events.
   2. Partner with Winona County Historical Society to curate lobby displays
   3. Promote an annual member exhibit, including both physical and digital opportunities for members to participate.
   4. Provide a weekly newsletter highlighting member events and
      opportunities.
   5. Regularly update social media with member news

Goal 2: Serve the needs and interests of regional arts organizations

Objectives and Actions:

1. Increase networking between arts organizations, the public, and artists
   1. Collaborate with MMAM
   2. Collaborate with the Winona Arts Center
   3. Implement events that support and promote the arts such as the Art Schmoozes, member book promotion and signings, Laureate series, concerts, exhibition openings and other opportunities.
2. Encourage participation in existing community events

Goal 3: Ensure financial and operational stability of RAA

Objectives and Actions:

1. Maintain membership for artists, organizations, and arts supporters. Explore new membership categories such as businesses and venues, and implement as appropriate. Collaborate with local government and other community organizations for large art projects and events.
2. Ensure effective Board support and participation through the following committee structure:
   1. Year-round committees:
      1. Membership
      2. Fundraising
   2. Project committees
      1. Family Art Day
      2. Member Exhibit
      3. Winona Art Walk
   3. Consistently attract new talented Board members and volunteers
3. Explore the prospect of shared office space for arts organizations.
4. Manage fundraising through
   1. Memberships
   2. Grant-writing opportunities
   3. Maintaining donations page on the RAA website
   4. Fundraising initiatives

Goal 4: Serve as leader to support and advocate for the arts in the community

Objectives and Actions:

1. Collaborate with community groups and local government to connect the arts community with decision makers in order to give voice to the arts in community decision-making.

Adopted by River Arts Alliance Board of Directors, April 19, 2023. To see the previous strategic plan, click here.