You know what you really oughta do? Stop telling other people what they oughta do. “Oughta.” The “O” word. Board members are not consultants. They advise, to be sure, but a good board member does not see him- or herself as a consultant. Consultants are paid to tell the truth to the organization in order for the organization to thrive (although too many are paid to echo … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Board Members: “Oughta” Just Won’t Cut It
Board of Directors
“Those People” – Does Your Arts Organization Understand Equity? Really?
I’ve never been a big fan of synopses—especially if the synopsis is lengthy and appears in a program for a play in modern English. I, as it happens, understand contemporary English very well as it is the language in which I speak, write, and think. Opera in Italian? Sure, why not. But a play in English for an English-speaking audience? Not a fan. But that doesn’t mean … [Read more...] about “Those People” – Does Your Arts Organization Understand Equity? Really?
Nonprofit Arts Leaders: Already Practicing Equity? Or Is It Just Equality?
As has been widely discussed, equity is not the same thing as equality. The words are too often used interchangeably, but they are vastly different in impact. Each uses tools, but equity requires a second step. In that way, using the image above as a reference, a movie theatre handing out 3D glasses is a form of equality. They offer the same experience for every audience … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Leaders: Already Practicing Equity? Or Is It Just Equality?
Changing the Way Nonprofit Arts Organizations Do Business is Hard. Aw.
No, you don’t get to mount that show you’ve always wanted to do. Artistic leaders with nonprofit organizations are notorious for wanting to do “that show” that no one has yet done well. Or do an exhibition of “that artist” whose work was never appreciated before they rediscovered it. Or that lost symphony by Whatshisname. On behalf of your community, the one you pledged … [Read more...] about Changing the Way Nonprofit Arts Organizations Do Business is Hard. Aw.
A Nonprofit Arts Leader’s Christmas Carol
To the tune of “Here We Go A-Wassailing,” to kick off your nonprofit holiday season (with apologies to all)... Here we go soliciting To everyone we see! Give a hundred thousand, You’ll get a tote bag free! Give and give Unto us; Give again Before Christmas! Be a donor and when you do, We’ll ask you once again. Every day, we’ll just ask … [Read more...] about A Nonprofit Arts Leader’s Christmas Carol