#13 Curiosity in supporting arts organizations with Michael Greer

Michael Greer, CEO of ArtsFund, joins Dr. Julie Pham on the Curiosity at Work podcast to explore how curiosity drives leadership in the arts sector. In his role at ArtsFund, Michael oversees grant-making, capacity building, and advocacy to support over 800 arts organizations across Washington State. He shares how curiosity helps him navigate the challenges of managing a hybrid team, balancing support for grassroots organizations with the needs of larger entities, and leading in uncertain times. Michael emphasizes the importance of fostering curiosity by creating environments where innovation is rewarded, and failure is a learning opportunity.

Drawing on his global experience in arts and business leadership, Michael discusses the critical role curiosity plays in addressing the fear and uncertainty faced by arts organizations today. He explains how ArtsFund promotes not only financial support but also leadership and collaboration across the sector. Michael encourages arts leaders to embrace new technologies and evolving entertainment formats as complementary rather than competitive, urging them to view these changes as entry points for engaging new audiences.

Through his unique leadership journey, including his early career as a professional ballet dancer and his global experiences in China and India, Michael shares practical strategies for cultivating curiosity in the workplace. His commitment to empowering his team to ask questions, try new approaches, and embrace risk serves as a blueprint for fostering innovation and resilience in the ever-evolving arts landscape.

Connect with Dr. Julie Pham:

• LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliepham2/
• Website:https://curiositybased.com/
• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/juliephamphd/

Connect with Michael Greer:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelromygreer
• Website: https://www.artsfund.org/