As a brilliant follow-up to SCENE CHANGE, the book that rocked the nonprofit arts industry in America, Alan Harrison takes you deeper into how board members can zealously advocate for their organizations, while at the same time putting checks on all the factors that get in the way of greatness. SCENE CHANGE 2 offers workshops, discussion sheets, and nakedly searing questions as tools to achieve clarity, dynamism, and a path forward.
Changemakers Books, a division of Collective Ink Publishing, has released a new handbook for nonprofit arts board members and the people that work with them. Alan Harrison’s SCENE CHANGE: THE FIVE REAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF NONPROFIT ARTS BOARDS focuses on ways in which the leaders of the nonprofit arts sector in America can reverse the steep decline in funding and relevance and become essential to their communities.
In his brilliantly unpretentious, snarky, and hilarious style, Alan Harrison pulls no punches. Today, nonprofit arts organizations are rushing into an elitist whirlpool of irrelevance. They’re the only companies in the whole nonprofit sector where the beneficiary is also the donor. Donors donate so that donors may attend. In SCENE CHANGE, the first book in the series, Harrison dived into the reasons that the arts have become simultaneously elitist and irrelevant in this Pre-Post-Pandemic Era in America. In SCENE CHANGE 2, he offers specific board responsibilities in order to create the space for the kind of charity for which communities are clamoring. This is a targeted list of the ways in which today’s nonprofit arts organizations (theaters, symphonies, ballets, museums, operas, and all the rest) will have to significantly change their whole structure and the prism in which they do work. Companies that make these changes will be giving themselves the best chance to succeed in 2024 and beyond. Those that don’t, won’t.
“EXCEPTIONAL! PERSUASIVE! With over three decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, Alan’s commitment to driving charitable impact within the arts community is truly commendable. His insightful and thought-provoking writings underscore his dedication to uplifting the underserved and marginalized, with an unwavering focus on equity and meaningful action. Alan’s ability to engage and captivate through his writing is a testament to his engrossing style and deep expertise. Having had the privilege to work alongside him, I’ve witnessed his remarkable talent in poking bears, challenging the status quo, and inciting positive change. His leadership acumen shines through as he navigates both large and small organizations, consistently demonstrating his capacity to galvanize teams towards mission-driven success. In a world where impactful communication is paramount, Alan’s unique approach to advocacy and his passion for transformation make him an invaluable asset to any mission-focused initiative. His transformative prowess and commitment to making a difference are truly remarkable. — Mark Walmsley, FRSA FCIM, Arts & Culture Network
“In today’s version of normal, nonprofit arts board members have to become acutely aware about why they’re there. The nonprofit arts scene has changed dramatically. No longer can a company determine that its produced/presented art is a nonprofit product just by its existence. “Art for art’s sake” is not a charitable mission, it’s a cop-out. For nonprofit arts organizations, art has to be a means toward an end that will quantifiably solve or mitigate the issues in a community. That’s what those involved with charity work of any kind have been charged to do.” – Alan Harrison, from SCENE CHANGE 2.
“A VISIONARY! In the sea of voices championing for the arts, Alan Harrison’s voice is unmissable. I continue to be struck by his unparalleled passion and relentless pursuit of change within the nonprofit arts sector. His unpretentious and comical demeanor bring clarity of thought and a fearless commitment to issues like elitism, diversity, equity, and inclusion within arts organizations. Whether you admire or challenge his viewpoints, Alan’s persuasive influence cannot be easily dismissed. Perhaps his most significant impact is his ability to inspire those around him to entertain new perspectives and aim for a greater, more inclusive future.” — Sarah Hunt, Accelerate Social
(Former General Manager, National Theatre of Great Britain)
“Alan Harrison doesn’t speak softly. He’s not exactly subtle. And he seems to revel in taking victory laps when he points out business-as-usual behavior that is seriously broken. But his shoot-from-the-hip observations about what’s ailing the nonprofit arts world and what to do about it are incisive, insightful, and grounded in keen observation of human behavior. Most of all, he wants to reset the paradigm in which arts institutions ply their craft. In a world awash with shiny objects vying for our attention, he suggests that simply making good art isn’t enough; we also have to make impact by meaning something to the communities we serve. And he is full of ideas about how to do it. Harrison wants to cut away the clutter, the busy work that masquerades for accomplishment, and get arts leaders laser-focused on accomplishing things that matter. It’s time, Harrison believes, for a little straight talk on culture after the pandemic, on racial equity, on how to identify and get your community motivated to support you. He’s loud. He’s blunt. And he doesn’t seem to care if he offends. You may disagree with him as he makes you mad. That’s okay; he’s quite happy to be the provocateur. Love him or hate him, he speaks a whole lot of common sense.”
—Douglas McLennan, Editor, ArtsJournal
Changemakers Books (a division of Collective Ink) has unleashed Alan Harrison’s provocative new book, SCENE CHANGE: WHY TODAY’S NONPROFIT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS HAVE TO STOP PRODUCING ART AND START PRODUCING IMPACT. Orders (on the usual websites) are available right now. Pre-orders are available for SCENE CHANGE 2: THE FIVE REAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR NONPROFIT ARTS BOARDS for under $12 at all your usual bookstores. Just ask for it!