Dear Dreamers and Doers,

Today we’re talking about the Power of One: How Your Arts Brand Can Touch Hearts and Open Wallets. Welcome back to our exploration of DRMTM’s Bold Brand Truths. Let’s dive right in on #8:

People respond to the needs of one, not many.

In the world of arts and culture, we’re often tempted to showcase the grandeur of our impact — the thousands of lives touched, the countless performances given, the endless gallery hours offered. But here’s a truth that might surprise you: when it comes to inspiring support and connection, less is absolutely more.

Why? Because human beings are wired for individual connection. We can empathize deeply with one person’s story, but we often feel overwhelmed and disconnected when faced with large numbers or abstract concepts. This isn’t just feel-good advice — it’s backed by psychology and proven fundraising strategies. So how can arts and culture organizations harness this powerful truth?

1. Put a face to your mission: Instead of talking about “underserved communities,” tell the story of Maria, the teenager who discovered her voice in your youth theater program.

2. Show, don’t tell: Rather than listing statistics about music education, share a video of Alex mastering their first violin concerto after a year in your after-school program.

3. Make the impact tangible: Don’t just say “your donation helps.” Show how a $50 gift provides art supplies for one child’s summer camp experience.

4. Create emotional connections: Share the journey of an emerging artist from their first gallery showing to their breakthrough exhibition.

5. Highlight volunteer experiences: Let supporters hear directly from individuals who’ve found purpose and community through volunteering with your organization.

For performing arts organizations, this approach might feel challenging. After all, you’re used to showcasing ensembles, not individuals. But consider these additional strategies with those above which are supporter- and donor-centric:

• Profile a young dancer’s journey on scholarship from first audition to opening night.
• Share how a community outreach performance touched one audience member’s life.
• Illustrate how one patron’s support made a specific production possible.
• Highlight an individual musician’s or composer’s personal connection to a piece in your upcoming concert that donor support made happen.

Remember, focusing on “the one” doesn’t mean ignoring your broader impact. It’s about creating an entry point — a relatable, emotional connection that opens hearts and minds to your larger mission.

By centering individual stories, you’re not diminishing your reach. You’re elevating it. You’re showing potential supporters that their contribution, no matter the size, can create a ripple effect of positive change.

So, arts and culture champions, it’s time to zoom in. Find those powerful individual narratives within your organization. They’re there — in your programs, your audiences, your artists, and your volunteers. These stories are the key to unlocking deeper community engagement and support.

Ready to start spotlighting the power of one? Here are some questions to kickstart your approach:

• Who’s a standout success story from your education or community programs?
• Can you identify an artist whose journey embodies your organization’s mission?
• Is there a long-time patron whose life has been enriched by your work?
• What’s a memorable moment of individual transformation you’ve witnessed?
• How can you break down your impact into personal, relatable experiences?

Remember, every grand performance, every expansive exhibition, every community-wide initiative is, at its heart, a collection of individual stories. By telling these stories one at a time, you invite your community to see themselves in your mission — and to play a starring role in your organization’s success.

Struggling to find your spotlight story? We’re here to help. Reach out to us at hello@thedrmtm.com for a free happy half-hour consultation on identifying and crafting those powerful individual narratives.

Here’s to the power of one,

Surale + Laura + Cheryl

P.S. We’d love to hear your “power of one” story! Share a moment when an individual’s experience brought your mission to life — let’s inspire each other!