When some fans of Seraphic Fire asked if they could renew their season tickets on layaway, the choral group didn't hesitate -- even though it had no such payment plan.

``We said, `Absolutely,' '' says Lorenzo Lebrija, Seraphic's chief executive. ``How can we say no? They've always been very supportive of us.''

In these difficult times for arts groups and the people who support them, many South Florida cultural nonprofits are testing new strategies for surviving the economic downturn.

Artistic collaborations are on the rise, as are mutual campaigns for fundraising, marketing and other initiatives.

The Arts and Business Council of Miami is ground zero for arts managers who must navigate the recession. The council provides administrative and organizational support to about 500 South Florida cultural nonprofits.

``We've never had more requests'' for help, says Laura Bruney, executive director. ``We've never had more phone calls and people going to our website and people using our volunteers.''

In response, the council has launched ``Success with Less,'' a series of budgeting and management seminars.

Among the topics addressed are strategic downsizing, cost-benefit analysis of programs, cash-flow management, board development and marketing. The council also has developed a website for local arts managers, artsmanagermiami.org.

Once they have addressed basic administration issues, groups find there's room for innovation, such as collaborating to lower costs and boost revenue.

One example: a mutual fundraiser for the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and its resident companies, Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet and New World Symphony.

In place of traditional season-opening fundraisers, the institutions are hosting ``Arts Odyssey: A Collaboration,'' a Nov. 13-14 cruise aboard the luxury liner Seabourn Odyssey, the newest member of the Yachts of Seabourn fleet.

For packages ranging from $5,000 to $125,000, arts patrons will be pampered into a stupor with luxury suites, a ``celebrity guest performance,'' and their choice of shows or special events with one of the four arts groups.

The biggest beneficiaries will be the hosts. Because Yachts of Seabourn will donate use of the ship and the food and beverages, the arts groups will reap all the revenues without assuming production expenses.

``Immediately, as a special event, the net potential . . . or the risk factor of fundraising is reduced significantly,'' says John Richard, Arsht Center president.

Arts Odyssey had raised more than $650,000 through mid-August, Richard says, adding that the four groups hope to raise ``well over $1 million'' to be shared equally.

Former TotalBank chairman and local philanthropist Adrienne Arsht launched the idea after Yachts of Seabourn executives offered the ship.

Arsht says the collaboration benefits donors, who often are asked to support the groups individually but now can give once and help them all.

``As a concept, it resonates,'' Arsht says. ``Crazy as it sounds, sometimes people say, `Oh, good; I don't have to go to four galas.' ''

Collaboration is at the heart of many experiments Arsht Center leaders are contemplating with their resident companies, which have first rights to performance dates and receive discounted rents and representation on the managing board of the county-owned arts facility.

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