Jim Ballinger, Director, Phoenix Art Museum
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His Story
What a difference a few years makes at the Phoenix Art Museum. In 1974 with a staff of 17, Jim Ballinger was curator with a budget of $362,000. Named director in 1982, Ballinger now manages a staff of nearly 140 and a budget of more than $10 million.
Key to preparing him for the amazing growth and the ever-expanding opportunities, Ballinger says, were participating in National Arts Strategies (NAS) seminars and the Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders-Arts (EPNL-A) program.
"My biggest surprise was when I took the EPNL-A program," said Ballinger. "I remember thinking that there was no way I could take two weeks and do it. The results were amazing and I've applied things I learned from my colleagues here at the Museum."
Ballinger marvels at the idea of bringing key community cultural professionals together that don't normally cross paths in a formal way. For example, through interaction with a leader from a performing arts organization, he discovered a new ticketing program that is now used at the museum.
"We all wrestle with the same problems, and the seminars help further build a community of professionals which fosters trust and open collaboration," he adds.
Ballinger also points to the high caliber of instructors and attendees who made it a not-to-miss event. And by involving his team members, he found it "helps people rally around an issue" adding that "if you have a newer staff member, it's a great way to get to know them and understand their way of thinking."
To sum it up, Ballinger says "I draw on the experience I gained from the seminars more than I think I do. It's become part of how I lead this organization."
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For information on the Phoenix Art Museum, please visit: www.phxart.org
