Ashkenaz: Implementation

5-Year Short Term Goals

#1: Preservation of tangible heritage. Scanning, archiving, and replacing original documents will preserve the historical record while still maintaining usability. Additionally, digital versions are to be organized on the Ashkenaz website.

#2: Increase marketing to reach a diverse population. Mainly, a new position opens space for a web designer internship. A modern interface and a more interactive site would likely bring in more customers who could spend time online discovering everything Ashkenaz has to offer. This person would be responsible for linking social media news feeds to the website, frequently updating media sites with events, and uploading archives.

#3: Expand educational outreach. Organizing history museum showings of the site itself will enlighten visitors about what has happened behind-the-curtains. Further alliances with elementary schools and the Berkeley World Music Festival are necessary for anchoring its position in the Bay Area.

#4: Decrease environmental impact. As simple and cheap as installing water faucet aerators and LED lighting with, if possible, donated light filters and materials. Replacing streetside thin pane windows with heat conserving windows can also be a long-term goal, but should be focused on as soon as possible for safety concerns. Installing higher quality sound meters will ensure noise levels do not bother neighbors. Lastly, installing bike racks and offering ticket incentives to bicyclists will increase environmental friendly means of transportation.

#5: Gain additional funding opportunities. Holding fundraisers, events with sponsorship, requesting more grants, and staying up to date with volunteer matching websites will be necessary for reducing spending and gaining resources.

25-Year Long Term Goals

#1: Secure funding sources. Securing a regular source of funding through grants, endowments, or personal bequests is necessary, though it is difficult to predict the changes that will occur in the Bay Area over 25 years.

#2: Digitally preserve and protect tangible heritage. Given the rapidity at which digital technology changes it is crucial that this information be stored in a format that will not become obsolete. Use of a digital storage service such as Mukurtu could safeguard these files so that they can be accessed indefinitely.

#3: Continue to provide a welcoming space for all. As mentioned in the 5-Year plan, a diverse and passionate patron base is key to ensuring the venue’s longevity.