Strengthening the Agency Partner Relationship: Liaison Management

Free Arts NYC provides underserved children and families with educational arts and mentoring programs that help them realize its fullest potential. Many of its programs take place under the auspices of other organizations, and its relationship with their OnSite Coordinators (OSCs) - the staff who oversee the Free Arts programming in their organization - is critical, as the OSCs' performance directly impacts the quality of three Free Arts programs. The Capstone team was asked to help Free Arts more clearly understand, strengthen, and support this partnership role. OSCs from partner agencies were surveyed and interviewed to get an 'insider' understanding of the OSC role and identify the challenges specific to OSC performance. The data were then analyzed to produce a comprehensive set of materials to help Free Arts best support high functioning OSC relationships, including a handbook that outlines Free Arts NYC's policies for the position and recommendations for systems of accountability.