Integrity Arts
  • Email

Integrity Arts

Specialized Support Services for Artists and Arts Organizations

  • Home
  • About
  • Integrity in the Arts
  • Portfolio
  • Contact

Faux Photo. 1

organ

I was contacted a while back by the ED of an arts organization. She had a question about marketing materials. This is not my forte and I told her as much. She said that didn’t matter, the real issue was about which photos would “convince funders and donors.”

Me: Could you be more specific? Convince them of what?
ED: I’m just trying to figure out if funders would prefer to see more African-American or Hispanic kids in the pictures.
Me (looking askance at my phone): I think you should use photos that represent your students. Doing student-y kinds of things. You know, engaged in doing their art. Don’t base your photo selection on ethnicity.
ED: Oh no, I think the funders want to see that we serve those kinds of kids.
Me (repeating in my head, “those kinds of kids”): Do you?
ED: (pauses) No, not really. We might have one black kid next semester. We have a lot of Asian kids but they’re not low income.
Me (feeling angry/scared to say this, and remembering my commitment to integrity): First of all, where would you get photos of African-American and Latino kids if you don’t have any as students – and secondly, why would you consider being disingenuous like that? (I neglect to take on her Asian kid comment.)
ED: Oh, everyone does that. Funders want to see it. There are plenty of photos online.
Me: That you would buy? (My head is starting to hurt a little.)
ED: No, we can just take them off other websites.
Me: Ok, I don’t really think that I can be of any help here. I don’t think you can ‘take photos from other websites’ and pass them off as students you don’t actually have.
ED: But what about what the funders want? They’re always going on about diversity. And you know we don’t have much of that in Boulder.
Me: But – you aren’t really considering showing students that aren’t yours…? (I think she is considering exactly this)
ED: (pauses, hopefully to reconsider) Well, thanks for your time.
Me: (thinking, what just happened here?)

The conversation pretty much ended right there. She tried to convince me again that this
is what organizations have to do in order to appeal to donors and funders (even though she called me for input). I gave up attempting to convince her of anything, including that she might want to take a look at her own racism. A few months later, I cringed to see the organization’s brochure that included a group of diverse children from somewhere other than Boulder. It was likely from stockphoto.com or another such site. I haven’t asked because we haven’t been in contact since. And that’s just fine with me.

2 comments on “Faux Photo. 1”

  1. e j carr says:
    April 2, 2014 at 11:06 pm

    Kathy,
    Bravo and a big stamp of Integrity. As a photographer and an artist, I resonate with this.
    Mostly from the stealing aspect and also from the race/honesty side. So many of my photos
    have been “lifted” by people, many I suspect with the same mission as this person you mention.
    It hurts me, the arts, the collective spirit of creation and, it hurts her.

    e j carr

    Reply
    • Kathy says:
      April 10, 2014 at 3:13 am

      Thanks for your thoughts, EJ. This person didn’t think she was stealing, but that is, in fact, exactly what was going on. I think that crediting photos is the only way to go, along with – of course – using those that truly represent the organization. I respect you and your work so much!
      K

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

“This amazing woman creates extraordinary moments in our ordinary lives by writing grants, teaching or just being.”
— Louise Christopher, Development Associate, Colorado Music Festival & Center for Musical Arts

Dr. Kathy Kucsan is an extraordinarily knowledgeable arts consultant. She led my organization’s board and membership through a very difficult transition; without her guidance and encouragement, the organization would not be the very vital arts community that it now is. She has a rare ability to see the big picture, as well as the details that are often overlooked by boards and artistic staff. Since she is a musician and educator herself, she is able to relate to all levels of an organization, and she therefore inspires trust. She is unflappable and has profound integrity and passion for what she does. I give her my highest recommendation.

— Dr. Vicki Burrichter, Choral Conductor/Artistic Director, Boulder Chorale

The depth and breadth of Kathy’s expertise and intelligence, her wisdom and compassion, are simply unmatched!
— Jessie Friedman, Executive Director, JLF Colorado (Jaipur Literature Festival)

Kathy Kucsan – a gal for all seasons.  I’ve worked with her as:
a grants consultant – she is practical, knowledgeable, helpful, effective a community music activist – she is supportive of music organizations, and founder of the fine Rocky Mountain Center for Musical Arts,
an arts advocate – she served on the Boulder Cultural Council for the SCFD and now on the District’s Board of Directors,
a personal friend– she is a true pillar of support!

–JoAn Segal, former Executive Director, Boulder Chorale

Kathy has been extremely helpful in upgrading the professionalism of our organization’s grant writing (which is done by a volunteer committee) and very generous in contributing her support and consultation to our organization over the years.  Her contribution to the arts community through her many years of service on SCFD and other organizations is a true gift to all of us in the area!  Thanks for being there!

–Ruth Arnold
 Boulder Chorale Grants Committee

Kathy inspires me and makes me think and laugh all at once.  Kathy asks me things that i’ve never thought of putting into words, and the answers make me more curious, better at what i do, and who i am in the world. I think the name “Integrity Arts” is perfect,  if ever iI was asked for one word  that describes  Kathy Kucsan,  it would be just that: INTEGRITY!

–Leslie True Wilson

Kathy knows how to infuse love and wisdom into any setting.  Her gifts around music and words and the body are unmatched, and she knows how to put them to use to raise the vibration anywhere she goes.”

–Julianna Christie

As ED of the Boulder Youth Symphony, the constant worry was funding the orchestra. Kathy was able, through her skillful narratives, to win BYS funding from any number of sources.  Kathy also served as a mentor and advisor throughout my tenure as ED of the orchestra. Her knowledge as both an art educator and musician was invaluable.

–Kitty Dawson, former Executive Director of Boulder Youth Symphony
Current Member of Boulder County Cultural Council

“Having worked with several grant writers over the years, Kathy in a stand-out due to her great passion and commitment to the performing arts!”

–Michelle Orman, Executive Director, Colorado Youth Symphony Orchestras

” I have enjoyed working with Kathy Kucsan over the past four years while serving on the SCFD Board of Directors.  Always looking for quality publicly accessed experiences, her thoughtful perspective, steady manner and keen interest in the arts, sciences and the entire cultural arena is a valuable asset.”
–Kathy Spuhler, Chair, Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) Board of Directors

“The depth of knowledge and experience Kathy brings from her participation in and support of the arts community is immeasurable.  She’s a humble, quiet power who, for artists and arts organizations, has helped build the platforms from which they can truly tell their story.”

–Richard Turbiak, Chair, Boulder Arts Commission

After enjoying twenty five (I think! Is that possible?) years of various music and art collaborations with Kathy, I appreciate the rich threads that weave throughout her work and life.  Kathy is a woman of integrity, productivity, playfulness and open-heartedness.

And I love her.

–Deb Kenyon, MA, CMT