Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present a theoretical discussion of the Arts-Based Community Engagement (ABCE) Model and to discuss the applicability of this model to the process of new product development in nonprofit cultural organizations. Due to the subjective feature of arts products, nonprofit cultural organizations previously developed their products based on a producer perspective. However, the traditional new product development approaches do not reflect consumer needs. This paper introduces a model to initiate a paradigm shift that addresses consumer wants in new product development for nonprofit cultural organizations. Based on consumer needs, the ABCE model places social issues at its core to embrace current concerns in the community. The goal of ABCE is to pursue mutual benefits for both nonprofit cultural organizations and their communities in order to provide social benefits for the greater public. This model also suggests a systematic process for developing new products to sustain nonprofit cultural organizations.