As the 2024 Reinventing Delaware process nears completion, we’re spotlighting the top three ideas. This week’s featured finalist is OperaDelaware, championed by Kerriann Otaño. In the following interview, Otaño shares more about her concept:

PDFF: How would you describe your idea in a 30-second pitch?

Finalist Answer: Delaware is uniquely positioned to be the hub for regional opera in the United States and a destination for creatives in the region. Delawareans often speak about the tax benefits, the beaches, and the convenience of Delaware. However, when they discuss arts and culture, they tend to reference nearby metropolitan areas, including Philadelphia, DC, and New York. This results in Delaware outsourcing arts and culture to larger cities rather than investing locally.

OperaDelaware is the 11th oldest opera company in the nation, with the tenacity and adaptability to usher in opera’s next chapter. We believe that Delaware offers a unique opportunity for artists who otherwise travel extensively to reside in the state and put down roots, which has inspired a bold, new employment model focused on the long-term support of our creative class. Our workforce development initiative is focused on giving artists a family-sustaining wage, enriching our community with their talents, and boosting our creative economy.

By recruiting highly skilled creatives, we can ensure an exceptional level of artistry for the people of Delaware, while building Delaware’s identity as a regional hub for artists. This new model creates a pipeline of opportunity that extends beyond an artist’s career onstage and ensures a strong creative workforce and a unique opportunity for Delaware to lead an artistic movement that will impact the nation.

PDFF: In what ways will your idea benefit Delaware?

Finalist Answer: While Philadelphia, NY, and DC are accessible from Delaware, many Delawareans are not interested in or able to travel. With the rapid influx of an aging population of retirees in Kent and Sussex, there are many Delawareans and transplants who are eager to have art that is accessible. From city parking to high ticket prices, larger cities pose challenges for Delaware audiences, forcing many residents to abandon their interest in the arts entirely.

While this plan was developed to ensure that a robust workforce of talented, creative, educated artists take up residence in the First State, it also greatly benefits audiences. This new model will ensure that OperaDelaware’s impact can grow beyond the walls of the opera house with additional programming that bridges the gap between the accessibility of Pop-Up Opera and the grandeur of the full theatrical experience.

With a roster of artists on OperaDelaware’s payroll, the availability of Pop-Up Opera and second-stage programming and the efficiency with which we can produce it would skyrocket. This benefits people of all ages, including our youngest citizens, who attend Pop-Up Opera in school thanks to grant support and often experience their first taste of live opera singers.

A workforce of creatives employed by OperaDelaware would ensure that our presence can continue to grow statewide, and that opera can be exceptional, affordable, and accessible in the First State. Furthermore, we strongly believe that these artists and creative entrepreneurs will become active and involved citizens, making life better for Delawareans by being immersed in the community.

PDFF: What difference will your idea make in the community or the world?

Finalist Answer: For decades we have been fed the narrative that working in the arts is not a real job and that a creative career will guarantee a lifetime as a “suffering artist.” We believe that great art does not come from suffering but from community support and collaborative creativity. This idea will have a tremendous impact beyond Delaware while attracting talent to Delaware.

The performing arts are losing valuable, high-skill artists as they transition into higher paying jobs in the for-profit circuit, as opposed to remaining in the nonprofit arts sector. We believe that the pipeline this new program will create will allow artists to identify and expand their skills beyond the stage, empowering artists to take leadership roles behind the scenes and radically transforming the direction and reputation of opera.

PDFF: How are you planning to achieve your idea’s purpose?

Finalist Answer: With visionary support from the Longwood Foundation, OperaDelaware will embark on a two-year pilot program to test this new model. Working with a dozen artists over the next two years, OperaDelaware aims to transform the freelance artist landscape into a more sustainable model for the creative workforce.

We have brought in additional consultants and strategic partners, revamped our company’s mission statement, and reinvigorated our community with enthusiasm about this new project. The work of these talented artists will result in increased accessible programming statewide and locally, with an influx of artist-curated performances at the OperaDelaware Studios and continued reinvestment in Pop-Up Opera. This is only the beginning, as we intend to develop this program and create a replicable model for the creative workforce, ensuring a bright future for opera in America.

PDFF: Will you or someone other than yourself champion this idea should it continue to move forward, and why? If applicable, who else is on your team?

Finalist Answer: Reimagining opera’s employment model has been at the heart of OperaDelaware’s work in recent years and is reflected in our newly updated mission statement. OperaDelaware’s mission is to produce bold, vibrant, and creative performances that empower artists, enrich the community, entertain audiences, and encourage curiosity. General Director Brendan Cooke has been a trailblazer in the industry for more than a decade. He has demonstrated a commitment to the sustainability and success of opera in Delaware and the region, with a record of continuous innovation and advocacy.

With the addition of Kerriann Otaño as Vice President of Engagement in 2022, OperaDelaware has benefited from cross-generational leadership from two seasoned, professional opera singers whose commitment to the art form has led them into leadership. This unique situation acts as a blueprint for the proposed model, providing working artists with a pipeline into the community and a plan for long-term industry impact.

Because of the unique perspective and passion of OperaDelaware’s leadership, this game-changing reimagining of the workforce is more than an economic play but represents a bold new vision for a better future for artists and creatives. This idea is bigger than any individual champion or advocate, but it is personally championed by every member of the staff and board of directors. The new artist model is the future of opera in America, and OperaDelaware will lead the way.

PDFF: What advice would you give to an aspiring entrepreneur?

Finalist Answer: Life is too short to let your hopes and ambitions live rent-free in the echo chamber of your mind. New ideas are scary, and we can become paralyzed by fear when we can’t see the full road ahead, allowing the pursuit of perfection to be the enemy of progress. Build and trust your team, or your ideas will live and die with you. Nothing is done alone in this life. Seek out other champions and ambassadors who share your vision. Develop your pitch. Put pen to paper and get started. Solicit feedback and questions. Listen. Work the problem with trusted allies, because no one can do it alone.

Celebrate Our 2024 Reinventing Delaware Winner at the Pete du Pont Freedom Award

The Top Idea of the Year will be announced at the highly-anticipated Pete du Pont Freedom Award 2024 event at the Hotel du Pont on Tuesday, October 22. Buy your ticket today, or to join us as a sponsor, contact Stephanie Johnnie at [email protected].