Policy Level Strategic Plan FY 17-­‐21 Mission: Penland School of Crafts supports individual and artistic growth through creative practice and discovery. Vision: Penland is committed to providing educational programs in a total-­‐immersion environment that nurtures individual creativity. Penland’s programs embrace traditional and contemporary approaches, balancing respect for materials and techniques with exploration and innovation. Core Values: • We honor open communication, honesty, and integrity. • We assume good intentions in all of our interactions. • We respect artistic integrity and the role of artists in society. • We embrace diversity of all kinds. • We respect and preserve Penland’s history as we plan for its future. • We value long-­‐time friends of craft and encourage the next generations of craft makers and enthusiasts. • We serve as an asset and resource to the community, the region, the nation, and abroad. • We take risks to be a leader in craft education. • We foster a dynamic, supportive, working and learning environment for students, instructors and staff. • We care for the physical place and are stewards of the environment. • We support robust financial and strategic planning as a road map to sustainability. Educational Philosophy: • Total-­‐immersion workshop education is a uniquely effective way of learning. • Close interaction with others promotes the exchange of information and ideas between individuals and disciplines. • Generosity enhances education – Penland encourages instructors, students, and staff to freely share their knowledge and experience. • Craft is kept vital by constantly expanding its definition while preserving its traditions. • Skills and ideas are equally important and their exploration has value that carries into life beyond the studio. Strategic Action Framework Goal 1 People: Penland will embrace the people who form its vibrant community and foster their artistic, individual, and professional growth. Objectives 1. Support artists at all levels of development by offering unique opportunities to participate in a dynamic, creative educational community. 2. Create and sustain an organizational culture that empowers Penland’s staff. 3. Secure sustainable resources to recruit and maintain a professional and engaged staff. 4. Penland’s administration, operations, and services will support and enhance the experience of all through excellence, consistency and responsiveness. 5. Recruit a diverse board that provides sustainable leadership and long-­‐term engagement. 6. Promote Penland’s programs and people by improving the school’s visibility with its varied constituents. 7. Focus resources and support on the recruitment and stewardship of a high quality and diverse instructor and student population. 8. Engage donors through innovative strategies that Insure long-­‐term relationships. 9. Increase diversity through intentional planning, programming and recruiting. Goal 2 Place: Penland will pursue excellence in all facilities and sustain its natural and built environment in support of its community. Objectives 1. Protect our environment and preserve our natural resources. 2. Be considerate of all Penland’s neighbors and adjacent property owners. 3. Penland will protect the viewshed and maintain awareness of opportunities on the campus borders. 4. Implement initiatives that maximize the function, safety, and preservation of campus facilities, equipment, and grounds. 5. Insure that a forward-­‐looking campus masterplan is in place to guide the school’s development into the future. 6. Complete all Campaign for Penland’s Future capital projects. 7. Strive to make Penland’s facilities welcoming and accessible to all people. Goal 3 Programs: Penland will strengthen and refine its dynamic and visionary programming. Objectives 1. Provide innovative programming through the Penland Gallery and Visitor Center, engaging and educating visitors and the wider community. 2. Provide artists with competitive residency opportunities that enhance their artistic and professional development. 3. Strengthen scholarship and internship opportunities. 4. Develop flexible, arts-­‐based programs that address the needs and interests of the local community. 5. Consider institutional capacity—along with educational, artistic and financial value—when evaluating current and potential programs; judiciously integrate special projects and groups into the existing programmatic flow. 6. Invest in studio, teaching, and research resources that advance Penland’s mission and vision. 7. Bring Penland’s history to life through the collection, preservation and presentation of historical materials. 8. Identify and secure earned and contributed revenue to support Penland’s program costs. This policy level plan was approved by the Board of Trustees in November 2015 and the implementation level plan will be reviewed for approval at the April 2016 board meeting. For a copy of the complete plan please contact the director’s office at Penland School of Crafts, 828-­‐765-­‐2359.