What We Do
inspiring change

Working with our clients to initiate and complete projects as they operate in a continually shifting environment.

Cultural Economic Development

  • Cultural Planning for Communities
  • International Exchange Planning and Management
  • Utilizing the Creative Economy
  • Public Event Design and Management

Facilities and Venues

  • Maximizing Income Potential
  • Scenario and Strategic Planning
  • Program Development
  • Audience and Marketing Development

Organizations

  • Board Development
  • Increasing Effective Advocacy
  • Business Planning and Implementation
  • Sustaining and Increasing Stakeholder Participation

Over the past two years, we have worked with profit and non-profit organizations including: The School of Fashion Design, Boston, The Concord Housing Authority, NH, Sharff Weissberg Lighting, NY, The Newport Performing Arts Center, RI and The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Beverly Hills, CA

Representative Projects:

The School of Fashion Design, Boston, MA

As the School of Fashion Design (SFD) approached its 75th Anniversary in 2009 the Board of Directors wanted to examine their history and chart a course for the future. . To create a current picture of the School, Mary Kelley and Tom Field held one-on-one interviews with board members, students, alumni and faculty. They researched the history of the School from its beginning days and looked at how the curriculum had developed over time as it responded to changes in the needs of the fashion industry. They also assessed the School's marketing, fundraising and alumni relations efforts. At the conclusion of this work, TFO facilitated a Board-Faculty retreat to present their findings and make recommendations for the School's continuing growth. At the retreat, the assembled group agreed upon a new mission for the school and discussed what the School's next steps should be in fulfilling that mission. TFO continues to work with the School of Fashion Design on a project basis as they move ahead.

The Newport Opera House, Newport, RI

In 2007, a group of Newport citizens came together to form the Newport Performing Arts Center (NPAC) with the vision of restoring The Newport Opera House. Built in 1868 as a musical theatre venue, the Opera House had been converted into a triplex cinema by the late 1900's. The Board of NPAC asked The Field Organization to do a Business Plan for the Opera House which would outline a sustainable operating model. To complete this task, TFO held interviews or meetings with some fifty community members, presenters, business representatives and board members and facilitated a retreat for the Board to agree on an operating model for the Opera House. The completed Business Plan, issued in April 2008, included an Economic Impact Study showing the quantitative benefit to the Newport Region as well as an examination of comparable New England venues.

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Beverly Hills, CA

The Field Organization conducted three extensive searches for staff positions at WACPA and advised on organizational planning for the Center, which will open in 2012. TFO continues to work with WACPA as needed.

The Tillotson Center for North Country Heritage, Visual and Performing Arts, Colebrook, NH

At the request of the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Agency, The Steering Committee for the Tillotson Center commissioned TFO to do an Operational Feasibility Study for Center which is currently under construction. Built in a renovated grange hall, the Center will include a fully equipped 200-seat theatre, an art gallery, classroom and a heritage exhibition space. TFO completed the Study in December 2009.