This essay discusses which is part of Lessons Learned: A Planning Toolsite produced by the National Endowment for the Arts discusses the importance of planning to arts organizations. The author examines what is involved in the planning process and what it can foster in arts organizations including creativity, an entrepreneurial model to succeed, self-knowledge, and a prelude for relations with funders. In addition, he outlines various reasons arts organizations may shy away from the planning process.

This essay discusses which is part of Lessons Learned: A Planning Toolsite produced by the National Endowment for the Arts discusses the importance of planning to arts organizations. The author examines what is involved in the planning process and what it can foster in arts organizations including creativity, an entrepreneurial model to succeed, self-knowledge, and a prelude for relations with funders. In addition, he outlines various reasons arts organizations may shy away from the planning process.