What if your patrons gave you enough money to produce your next show?

It sounds far-fetched, but it’s happening at Misnomer Dance Theater.

Chris Elam, Misnomer’s Artistic Director and Choreographer, has set up a donation page on Fundable, a web site that simplifies fund raising, to collect money for their next production.

As he puts it:

“This Fundable project helps commission the creation of this new choreography by pooling small contributions from a large group of individuals interested in our work (that includes you!).”

In just under a month they raised enough money to meet their goal.

I came across this startlingly clever bit of business in an article by Wired magazine founder and former editor Kevin Kelly called “1,000 True Fans“.

Kelly’s premise is equal parts simple and powerful: Collect enough True Fans–the kind that attend anything and everything you produce–and ask them to help out with production costs.

“Assume conservatively that your True Fans will each spend one day’s wages per year in support of what you do. Let’s peg that per diem each True Fan spends at $100 per year. If you have 1,000 fans that sums up to $100,000 per year, which minus some modest expenses, is a living for most folks.”

And more than enough funding for most stage productions.

“One thousand is a feasible number. You could count to 1,000. Pleasing a True Fan is pleasurable, and invigorating. It rewards the artist to remain true, to focus on the unique aspects of their work, the qualities that True Fans appreciate.”

He gives further examples of fan-funded art, including singer Jill Sobule collecting money to record her next CD ($50,000 so far!) and half a dozen authors who successfully use the strategy.

If you’re struggling with paying for your next production (and who isn’t?), I urge you to read both Chris Elam’s explanation of his money raising efforts and Kelly’s article. They just may change the way you look at raising money for your next show.

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Kevin Kelly: 1,000 True Fans

Misnomer Dance Theater on Fundable

Misnomer’s Web Site