STILLART 30 YEARS

empowering the arts since 1992

In troubled times – financial crisis, pandemics, political conflicts or war – it is more important than ever for organizations to focus on their core mission, values, operational procedures and goals.

 

In the current situation, rather than celebrating StillArt’s 30 years with a party, we decided to take time for reflection and share what is important to us.

A foundational credo of StillArt is that the arts in all its forms and expressions contribute to a better world. This takes place both in the local community and the global artistic communities. In between, the summary of all local artistic efforts impact the regional, national, transnational, continental and international beliefs, identities and thereby the choices we make – individually and collectively. This process is neither straightforward nor fast, but there is no doubt that culture deeply impacts our lives.

 

In StillArt, we are convinced artists and artistic organizations serve their communities best when they are free to express their opinions. These ideas – whether concretely or more abstractly expressed – might be more or less correct or fruitful. But to serve best, it is important art is given the freedom to freely explore and develop these ideas. With this as a fundament, StillArt’s work is to contribute to a pluralistic and multi-faceted artistic landscape. Or as we express it in our mission statement: To provide ambitious leaders in the arts with powerful tools and solutions for building strong, vibrant and dynamic organizations.

 

On the other hand, the operational reality for most arts organizations of today is about answering to the needs of a multitude of stakeholders: public authorities, the audience, the different forms of media, the public opinion, donors, sponsors, the artistic community and more.

 

Together with changes in the media and technical environment, running an arts organization is today even more multifaceted and more complex than only a couple of decades ago.

 

To tackle these challenges, we in StillArt have developed a methodology “to identify, code, spread and support best-in-class solutions that deal with foundational administrative challenges in the arts”. With Subscription Builder we have supported over a dozen organizations sell out whole seasons. Today we expand our focus to single ticket sales, donations, sponsorship, and public funding. The focus remains on developing and delivering systematic solutions to fundamental challenges arts organizations encounter, and with the longer-term vision to secure a vibrant dynamic arts scene that contributes to strong societies.

 

With these words we would like to extend our gratitude to the literally thousands of individuals and hundreds of organizations we have been given the opportunity to work with over the last 30 years. Sharing your knowledge, time, energy and financial and infrastructural resources has made the dream driving StillArt possible.

 

There is value in remembering and sharing both moments of fragility and beauty – let’s continue to celebrate these. At the same time, let’s keep working for open and democratic societies where there is room for a multitude of opinions and ideas.

Thank you for your trust, looking forward to working on more projects to create an even bigger impact together!

EARLY YEARS

1985-1992

1985 – The Beethoven V Experience

Playing in a semi-professional orchestra for the first time, Magnus Still found himself calculating how ticket income covers costs.

1987 – Summer Festival in Finland

17 year old Magnus Still creates a summer music camp and the festival MuseiMusik in the Jakobstad Museum for his friends and himself.

1992

StillArt founded in Helsinki, Finland.

A world where the arts plays a proactive role in forming healthy and vibrant local and global communities.

DEVELOPING THE SKILLS

1991-2004

1991-2000

Artist management, 10 festivals in 4 countries, a freelance orchestra

SINFONIETTA ODYSSEUS, HELSINKI FESTIVAL, MUSICA NOVA

2000-2001

Leading a prestige institution with large international collaborations

CEO of Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra

2002-2004

Experiencing the power of subscriptions and constantly sold out concerts

Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra

2005-2006

The Effective Marketing Report

Östgöta Wind Symphonics Case Study – Starting a subscription series from scratch and getting sold out.

2006

StillArt starts focusing on subscription growth

Sinfonia Lahti, Bergen Philharmonic, Vara Concert House

2009

The Annual Subscription Wheel with Claes Rydberg

THE BACKBONE OF THE SUBSCRIPTION BUILDER PROCESS IS DESIGNED

2010

Dutch government cuts orchestra subsidies with 50%

MEESTERPIANISTEN / CONCERTGEBOUW, NETHERLANDS SYMPHONY, RESIDENTIE ORKEST

2011-2014

Breakthrough results

2011-12

Starting subscriptions from scratch

MAGNUS STILL JOINED AS CEO, JAKOBSTADS SINFONIETTA WAS SOLD OUT IN A MONTH.

2013

The Subscription Advisory Board formed

THOMAS J GULICK, MARTIN HANSSON, ROBERT C. JONES, CLAES RYDBERG, MAGNUS STILL

2013

Sold out!

GOTHENBURG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. FIRST SOLD OUT COLLABORATION.

2013

First collaboration in a German speaking country

ARGOVIA PHILHARMONIC SELLS OUT WITH 400% GROWTH IN THREE YEARS.

2014

3 success projects in Stockholm with 4000+ subscribers

ROYAL DRAMATIC THEATER, SWEDISH RSO, ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

2014

Collaboration with 6 Swedish concert houses

THOMAS J. GULICK (USA) DESIGNS STILLART’S TARGETING METHODOLOGY

Under The Stars

HOW TONHALLE DÜSSELDORF SOLD OUT THE WHOLE SEASON AT 97% CAPACITY AND 3,000 MORE SUBSCRIBERS

2016

The Book

FILL EVERY SEAT – EVERY WEEK IS PUBLISHED.

2017

Publicity

DAS ORCHESTER PUBLISHES 16 PAGE ARTICLE ON SUBSCRIPTIONS.

2018

Focus on DACH

GERMAN PRODUCTION NETWORK FORMED WITH 8 PARTNERS.

2019

Traction

UNDER THE STARS WORLD PREMIERE IN BERLIN AT DEUTSCHER ORCHESTERTAG (GERMAN ORCHESTRA DAY).
PROJEKT AUSVERKAUFT (PROJECT SOLD OUT) STARTS.
STILLART FUNDS THE CAMPAIGNS AND GAINS MOMENTUM.
StillArt Redbox and StillArt Website Generator platforms launched.

2020

Further internationalization

SCHOTT MUSIC PUBLISHES AUSVERKAUFT DAS GANZE JAHR. ORCHESTRE DE LA SUISSE ROMANDE FIRST FRENCH SPEAKING PROJECT.

2021

Digitalization

DIGITALIZATION SIMPLIFIES COLLABORATION, SPEEDS UP RESULTS AND CUTS CARBON EMISSIONS.

2022

and beyond.

STILLART LEVERAGES MEGATRENDS WITH FURTHER DIGITALIZATION, SUSTAINABILITY
AND EXPANDED SERVICES

Photos by: Arttu Paivinen, Tapio Haaja, Joseph Karl Stieler, Davide Ragusa, Erol Ahmed, Luke Stackpoole, Matthias Süßen, Micael Widell, Silvan Arnet, Scott Graham.