Canopy’s mid-year retrospective: What themes and trends are we seeing in our work with cultural attractions across the U.S. this year?
Planning Through Uncertainty: What’s Shaping Cultural Attractions in 2025
read more
Articles
A Story of Pride, Joy, and Hope: Pride Month Reflections by David Walsh
As Pride Month comes to a close, I must admit that here at Canopy, we have struggled to find the right words this month. Given all that’s been happening, our team — like many of you — has been caught up in a real sense of gloom and worry about our current state of...
The Power of Cross-Pollination Between Cultural Organizations
With a client base that spans a range of cultural institutions, we see the benefits of cross-pollination in action every day. This ongoing exchange of ideas and best practices across different sectors isn’t just beneficial — it’s essential for relevance, sustainability, and advancement in today’s interconnected cultural landscape. Read on for resources + tips to help you incorporate more cross-pollination into your strategy.
AMLAZ Program Update: Meet Canopy’s 2025 Sponsored Participants
As the Advancing Minority Leadership in Aquariums & Zoos Program (AMLAZ) enters its second year, Canopy is proud to continue our sponsorship of this vital leadership development opportunity. Learn more about Chris Conner and Yetta Robinson, two of our sponsored...
Navigating Economic Uncertainty: Tips for Cultural Attractions and Nonprofits
What’s the economic outlook for 2025 and beyond, and how will it impact cultural institutions? Read on for six takeaways from our recent webinar on building resiliency in the face of uncertainty.
Lessons I Have Learned: Advice for Emerging Leaders
“Learn from my mistakes!” Jackie Ogden reflects on her leadership journey and shares five invaluable lessons for emerging leaders.
Living a Little Off Balance: Centering Ourselves Around What’s Important
When the world turns upside down, we must center ourselves around what’s most important: taking care of one another. David Walsh shares his perspective on the current climate and the Canopy team’s commitment to doubling down on our values.
Lessons I Have Learned: Leading with Heart
“Self-development is especially critical in our field, where we are seeking to change the world. To state the obvious, changing the world is not easy, and it has become clear to me that we will not be successful without exceptional leadership.” In a new series of essays, Jackie Ogden reflects on the lessons she has learned throughout her career to inspire leaders.
The Value of Organizational Culture: Why Investing in Your Culture Should Be Top Priority
A strong organizational culture is not a luxury but a necessity. Canopy’s Vice President, Lori Perkins, shares her perspective on why investing in culture is crucial, and how leaders can actively create and nurture organizational cultures that reflect their values and missions.
Planning 101: Different Types of Plans and What to Expect From Each Process
Welcome to the first edition in our Planning 101 series: designed to demystify the planning process, address what’s included in different types of plans, and prepare you to start strategic planning and/or business planning with a clear sense of what to expect.
Data-Driven Decisions: Turning Audience Insights Into Strategic Growth
Do you have clarity around who’s walking through your gates, who’s not, and where the opportunities lie? Learn how Canopy uses audience analytics and mapping tools to align mission and margin, empowering cultural attractions to make data-driven decisions that support strategic growth and impact.
From Vision to Viability: Integrating Business and Master Planning for Cultural Organizations
A bold design concept needs a practical foundation — one that connects mission and margin, creativity and feasibility. That’s why the process of integrated planning is so valuable for cultural organizations. In this conversation with Unknown Studio’s Partner & Co-Founder, Claire Agre, we discuss collaboration, client readiness, and the evolving role of design in shaping sustainable, connected places.
Two Seats at the Table: Navigating the CEO-Board Relationship in Zoos and Aquariums
What is the key to establishing and sustaining a strong board relationship? That’s what we’ve been asking CEOs and board members from zoos and aquariums across the country over the past six months. Through dedicated focus groups — capped by a live panel discussion at the AZA Annual Conference — we’ve been exploring what it takes to build partnerships rooted in trust, clarity, and shared purpose. Read on for some of the best advice that has emerged.
AMLAZ Spotlight: Meet Andrea Echeverry-Alcendra
Meet Andrea Echeverry-Alcendra: Zoo and aquarium leader, Conservation Coordinator at the Indianapolis Zoo, and one of Canopy’s sponsored participants in the 2025 Advancing Minority Leadership in Aquariums & Zoos Program.
