The Audacity of Relevance

The 2009 economic recession exposed the fragility and declining relevance of the arts world. Ten years later, the COVID-19 pandemic proved that we hadn’t learned our lesson. When — not if — we experience the next seismic shift, will we know how to lead or will we be held hostage by antiquated ways of thinking and ultimately witness the self-inflicted demise of our institutions?

At the core of Alex Sarian’s career is the conviction that cultural organizations must embrace a greater civic mandate and be humble enough to sustain a new kind of business model — one based on relevance.

Throughout The Audacity of Relevance, Sarian and leaders from across industries discuss the democratization of philanthropy, the dangerous disregard of modern consumer behavior, the urgent need to commit to social justice and reconciliation, and other topics that need our immediate attention if we are to reverse the historical gatekeeping of arts organizations.

Whether you are a seasoned arts executive or an aspiring museum professional, a casual theater-goer or a regular at the ballet, the principles and anecdotes in these conversations will inspire you to see the world of culture’s endless possibilities for reinvention.

A former Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts executive, Alex Sarian currently leads the single largest cultural infrastructure project in Canadian history as president and CEO of Arts Commons. He’s taught at NYU and advised organizations, including SXSW, Museo de Arte Moderno de Buenos Aires, the New Group, and the Varkey Foundation. Alex lives in Calgary, AB.