ACSO webinars connect you with experts in the field who present on an array of orchestra and performing arts management topics like fundraising, marketing, board development, and more! Webinars are 60-to-90-minutes and most are recorded for on-demand viewing for members, Unless otherwise indicated, webinars are FREE for ACSO Members and $30 for Not-Yet-Members.
Need help registering? Email office@acso.org.
The following webinars are scheduled between January 2026-April 2026.
This webinar provides information on the growing number of emergencies and disasters that our arts and cultural institutions may face – from natural, human-made, and technological crises to “administrative emergencies” which can include funding cuts and succession or other staffing issues. We’ll discuss activities and resources that can help you and your organization prepare for and respond to all types of disasters.
WEBINAR PRESENTER
Tom Clareson, Project Director, Performing Arts Readiness
Tom Clareson is Project Director of Performing Arts Readiness (PAR), funded by the Mellon Foundation to help performing arts organizations protect their assets, sustain operations, and prepare for emergencies. He also serves as Project Director for the Bay Area Arts Readiness Network (BAARN), funded by the Hewlett Foundation to provide disaster networking services in the San Francisco Bay Area. Clareson is Senior Consultant at the Lyrasis library/archives/museum network, focusing on preservation, disaster preparedness, digitization, funding, and advocacy for arts and cultural organizations. He has over 35 years of experience assisting cultural and arts organizations in disaster preparedness and recovery, and has responded onsite in many emergencies and crises.
Orchestras are feeling the squeeze. Expenses are climbing, and tactics that once reliably generated revenue are now producing flat or declining results. Yet even in this shifting environment, some orchestras are achieving steady fundraising growth.
This practical session will reveal what’s working right now to drive sustainable, dependable Annual Fund growth. You’ll gain clear, actionable steps to strengthen your fundraising engine, build predictable revenue, and inspire donors at every level to give more.
Drawing on RSC Associates' experience across the arts sector, we’ll unpack the realities of today’s cash crunch and the proven practices organizations are using to rise above it. You’ll leave ready to move your program forward – immediately.
WEBINAR PRESENTER
Catherine Heitz New, Chief Executive Officer, RSC Associates
With a two-decade career in arts fundraising, Catherine Heitz New is renowned for her commitment to results and clear vision, driving significant fundraising growth for diverse organizations. Beyond client engagements, Catherine actively contributes to the arts industry through speaking engagements, educational initiatives, and informative reports.
Before joining RSC, Catherine served as Chief Advancement Officer and Deputy Director of a leading arts council, successfully raising $30 million for The Council's Comprehensive Campaign for the Arts. Her multifaceted expertise spans strategic and operational aspects of arts management, demonstrated in roles such as managing the City of Charleston's visual arts and gallery program.
Running a symphony orchestra is a complex endeavor, and effective governance is key to sustaining artistic excellence and organizational strength. This webinar offers a practical overview of the legal and structural foundations of strong board leadership, tailored specifically for orchestras and performing arts organizations.
Participants will learn:
• The key governance documents every board should know, including bylaws and core board policies
• The fiduciary duties of nonprofit board members under California law
• The fundamentals of nonprofit governance, including the distinct roles and responsibilities of the board, executive and artistic leadership, staff, and musicians
WEBINAR PRESENTER
Casey L. Williams, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Casey Williams is a Partner with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, a California law firm that exclusively represents mission-driven nonprofits and public entities, focusing on employment, business, and education law. Casey has practiced employment law and nonprofit law for years, including several years as a litigator, and now as an advice and counsel attorney. Casey’s work with nonprofits emphasizes employment, governance, crisis management, and business matters, helping organizations stay compliant and navigate complex challenges, particularly emotional and high-risk employment issues. She has collaborated with a diverse array of nonprofit organizations, including advocacy organizations, health and human services providers, independent schools, after-school providers, youth advocacy organizations, community clinics, affordable housing providers, funders and fiscal sponsors, museums, and college foundations. All of her nonprofit clients engage volunteers, and she assists many in developing policies and procedures for running their volunteer programs in compliance with federal and California employment laws.