What does it take to build an arts institution that lasts?

Arts organizations do more than stage performances—they strengthen communities, nurture youth, and create moments of meaning that can last a lifetime. But behind that impact is something rarely seen: the leadership, governance, and financial stewardship that help those institutions endure.

Explore what it takes to sustain mission-driven arts organizations over the long term

Host Willis Wilson is joined by Margaret Chen, Partner and Head of Endowment & Foundation Practice at Cambridge Associates and Board Chair of Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, and Maeesha Merchant, COO, CFO, and EVP of the Colburn School, a client to Cambridge Associates.

Together, they discuss why the performing arts matter to young people and communities, how non-profit arts institutions can balance mission with financial discipline, and what leaders and boards need to get right to build organizations that endure.

This podcast episode will cover:

How endowments, fundraising, and financial planning support long-term mission delivery
Why succession planning and institutional resilience matter for organizations built to last
How leadership and governance help non-profit arts organizations fulfill their missions
What strong board-executive partnerships look like in practice
Why the performing arts and arts education matter to communities, civic life, and young people

Cambridge Conversations is developed in partnership with PRX, an award-winning podcast media company.

Cambridge Associates is a global investment firm that works with endowments, foundations, healthcare systems, pension plans, and private clients to implement and manage custom investment portfolios that aim to generate outperformance and maximize their impact on the world. Cambridge Associates delivers a range of portfolio management services, including outsourced CIO, non-discretionary portfolio management, staff extension, and asset class mandates.