In November the Fort Worth Opera's Marketing and Communications department was awarded "Communicator of the Year" by the Center for Nonprofit Management (CNM). The Fort Worth Opera was honored at their annual "Night of Light" ceremony in Dallas, where nonprofit excellence in North Texas is recognized and celebrated.
The Communications and Marketing department was recognized as finalists alongside two other organizations, 29Pieces and Real School Gardens. The Opera received its award for its social media efforts and grass roots marketing strategy that helped develop the company's Opera Shots Program.
The Fort Worth Opera was the only cultural institution to receive an award this year from the CNM. The Opera Shots program developed works to take classical music out of the concert hall and into more modern settings, such as local bars. The performances are very informal and usually around two hours long, but for many they provide a special experience.
Some listeners who are at the bars during the Opera Shots are hearing classical and opera music for the very first time. Opera Shots has widely grown from what used to be 30 - 40 listeners per performance to around 200 listeners during performances.
The Fort Worth Opera only publicized the Opera Shots on free media platforms, so the growth trend of the event reflects the hard work of the Marketing and Communications department.
-Lexi Johnson
