Case Study 2

PILCHUCK GLASS SCHOOL

Seattle and Stanwood, Washington

www.pilchuck.com/default.htm

Client Background

The Pilchuck Glass School founded by legendary glass artist Dale Chihuly and others in the early 1970s, is known for its internationally acclaimed summer program for artists set in a retreat-like setting north of Seattle. In the years leading up to undertaking the capacity building process, the institution had been undergoing changes in staff leadership. The new Executive Director and Board were eager to shape a plan that would carry the School into the next few years of its development.

Description of Project/Process

The capacity building process began with a series of confidential interviews followed by a retreat and a series of work sessions involving the many stakeholders of Pilchuck. Trustees, staff, instructors, artists, seasonal staff and community leaders participated in the process helping to yield the final capacity building plan.

Outcome

The result of the process was a five-year capacity building plan that focuses on refining many aspects of the current operation in preparation for some dramatic rethinking and re-visioning of Pilchuck’s future in the coming years. The trustees and staff identified the need to explore new sources of income to diversify their financial foundation while shaping programs that began to develop greater community involvement beyond the artist community.

Timetable

This process began with a trustee retreat that set the stage for beginning the planning process. The planning process itself began in the summer with the final plan adopted the following May. The entire process took one year start to finish.