Dear Dreamers and Doers,
Let’s talk about the elephant in the cultural center lobby: relevance. It’s that nagging feeling when your programs are stellar but attendance is slipping. When your mission statement sounds impressive but doesn’t move hearts. When you’re speaking, but your community isn’t listening.
The Truth About Relevance in 2025
Here’s the bold truth: If you don’t know where you’re going and why you matter, you don’t have a brand – you have a logo and some nice fonts. Relevance isn’t just about being current; it’s about being necessary to your community’s cultural fabric.
Signs You’re Facing a Relevance Revolution:
- Your identity feels disconnected from today’s community needs
- You’re leading communications with programs instead of purpose
- Your brand speaks more about you than the people you serve
- Your messaging sounds like it could belong to any arts organization
- Your visual identity doesn’t reflect the diversity of your community
The Power of Research-Driven Relevance
Remember this: You are what they think you are. Not what your board thinks. Not what your marketing materials claim. What your community actually experiences is your brand. This is why understanding your relevance requires asking tough questions and listening harder than you speak.
Getting Real About Relevance
Want to measure where you stand? Answer Yes or No to these critical relevance points:
- Purpose Clarity
- Can you articulate your higher purpose without mentioning a single program?
- Does your mission statement make people feel something?
- Are you solving real community needs or just running nice programs?
- Community Connection
- Do your materials speak more about your community than about you?
- Are diverse voices and faces authentically represented in your storytelling?
- Can people see themselves in your brand?
- Bold Communication
- Have you eliminated insider language and jargon?
- Does your messaging inspire action or just share information?
- Are you brave enough to stand for something meaningful?
The Relevancy Reality Check
Time for some real talk: Your answers should say Yes to at least six of the nine relevance points. Below that? You’re likely struggling to connect meaningfully with your community. But don’t panic – this is fixable.
Your Next Bold Moves:
- Survey your stakeholders (yes, ALL of them) about what truly matters to them
- Audit your materials for jargon and replace with human language
- Look for places where program information drowns out your purpose
- Gather testimonials that reflect your community’s diversity
- Ask yourself: “Could any other organization say exactly what we’re saying?” Learn to speak from the uniqueness of your mission.
Relevance isn’t a destination – it’s an ongoing dialogue with your community. It requires constant attention, authentic listening, and the courage to evolve. When you nail it, though? That’s when your brand becomes not just seen, but sought after.
Ready to revolutionize your relevance? Start by giving your brand an honest assessment. The first three organizations to reach out this month will get a complimentary relevancy assessment with DRMTM. Email us at hello@thedrmtm.com.
Here’s to being sought after,
DRMTM
How’s that for keeping it real?