Arts & Nonprofit Campaigns — Durango Arts Center (Colorado)
Snapshot
Industry: Arts & Nonprofit
Scope: Theatre, visual arts, education, and events
Core Problem: The organization was in crisis and needed stronger creative direction to re-engage the community
Headline Result: Delivered a unified creative strategy and boosted ticket sales by 20% through visual storytelling and multimedia marketing
1. The Challenge
The Durango Arts Center is a cornerstone cultural nonprofit, hosting 80+ annual events, dozens of theatre productions, and extensive community education programs.
But in 2018, the organization faced declining attendance, limited resources, and fragmented messaging across its theatre, exhibits, and education programs.
They needed:
Cohesive creative direction
More engaging visual storytelling
Stronger promotional materials across channels
A way to reconnect with the community emotionally and visually
2. The Insight
Nonprofits thrive when they communicate the heart of their mission.
People don’t just attend arts events for information — they attend for meaning, storytelling, and connection.
By giving DAC a unified visual voice, we could help each program feel like part of a larger, vibrant artistic ecosystem.
3. The Approach
Developed a cross-department creative strategy covering theatre, galleries, and education
Produced visual campaigns that highlighted local artists, behind-the-scenes stories, and the emotional core of each production
Created multimedia materials for posters, social campaigns, newsletters, and community outreach
Ensured messaging was cohesive across exhibits, performances, and youth/adult programs
Supported staff in adopting a consistent, more compelling promotional rhythm
4. The Results
Increased ticket sales by 20%, reversing an attendance decline
Strengthened community engagement across DAC’s theatre, exhibits, and education programming
Elevated the nonprofit’s visual identity, making campaigns feel more polished, unified, and emotionally resonant
Helped stabilize the organization’s public presence during a sensitive moment
5. What We Learned
Nonprofit audiences respond to authenticity, warmth, and a sense of shared community.
By telling richer stories and presenting a clearer brand narrative, even small organizations can create outsized impact.
This project reinforced that creative strategy can be a lifeline for nonprofits, restoring connection and momentum when it matters most.