Do taxpayers pay for your nonprofit arts organization to wrestle with artistic satisfaction or to make their community better? In deciphering whether nonprofits, especially nonprofit arts organizations, deserve funding, acclaim, or zealous advocacy, there are a number of factors that we keep forgetting. The first thing is that nonprofits cost you a lot of money. Not … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Art and The Tyranny of Happiness
The [Insert Letter Here] Word and the Arts
DEI is not a contest between. It’s a contest for. The C word (no, not that one — the 5-letter one that’s not just for Chinese people anymore). The E word (if you want to get abandoned in a snowdrift in Yellowknife, just use this slur). The F word (no, not that one — the 6-letter one). The G word (not just for Koreans anymore). The I word (unless the … [Read more...] about The [Insert Letter Here] Word and the Arts
The Closet(s).
With acts of tolerance and impact, nonprofit arts organizations in America could set the anti-competitive tone for everyone. But, generally, they don’t. There are a lot of closets out there with a lot of people in them. And, unsurprisingly, there are a lot of people who would like those people to stay just where they are, for numerous reasons. LGBT folx have been … [Read more...] about The Closet(s).
“Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics” – Another Bad Research Project About the Arts Leads to Worse Conclusions
Benjamin Disraeli might have been referring to the latest irrelevant data on the economic power of the arts in 2021. [Jeez Louise. Why do they make me have to write this?] Let’s start with a basic question. What constitutes relevant data? If you’re really hungry and you find yourself in an apple orchard, which one of these points is the most relevant to you? If … [Read more...] about “Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics” – Another Bad Research Project About the Arts Leads to Worse Conclusions
Nonprofit Arts Organization Boards: An Epilogue
You don’t have to follow what others call “best practices” if it doesn’t work for your community If you are a nonprofit arts board member, you have a chance to build something great. And no, the best way is not to copy what your fellow arts organizations are doing. In fact, it might behoove you to look at other kinds of nonprofits that fit under the IRS guidelines. If … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Organization Boards: An Epilogue