All the pandemic did was rush oblivion along. The end of this version of the nonprofit arts industry was coming relatively soon, even before the pandemic. It’s a system borne of privilege and elitism, forgetting that art all by itself is not a charitable mission, no matter whether it’s in the IRS code or not (it’s not). In the largest organizations, survival is based not … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Orgs and Sandcastles. Now That the Waves Have Hit, Maybe It’s Time to Swim Awhile
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Why DEI Fails When Anyone Gets Demonized
Do others have the right to force you to adjust your behavior? From whose vantage point? “One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.” George Galloway I wonder if this search for a “safe” space is all it’s cracked up to be. We’re halfway through 2023 and already in America, there have been over 200 mass shootings, defined as the killing of 4 or more … [Read more...] about Why DEI Fails When Anyone Gets Demonized
Nonprofit Arts Shared Leadership: The Buck Stops Over There. On That Desk.
Leaders are not “plug-and-play.” And a multi-headed model just makes it worse. Maybe you remember 1980s American history. Likely you didn’t because, hey, you weren’t born yet. And nothing of note ever happened before you were born. There was a moment during the republican convention of 1980 when the people who managed the presumptive nominee, Ronald Reagan, were mulling … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Shared Leadership: The Buck Stops Over There. On That Desk.
“But what if IRS code 501(C)(3) included producing and exhibiting arts as a qualified tax-exempt activity?”
A good question. The answer has nothing to do with the obstacle to success. It’s only a symptom. I can see why you’d ask that question. It has been a key point in this column to bring out into the open the fact that Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service’s tax code does not include the production or exhibition of art as a tax-exempt activity. Normally, I … [Read more...] about “But what if IRS code 501(C)(3) included producing and exhibiting arts as a qualified tax-exempt activity?”
Nonprofit Arts Closings: “Duh.”
Mark Taper Forum. Book-It Repertory. Lookingglass Theatre. Dozens of others to come. All because of what? Vision? Vanity? Vainglory? Or just money? It should make you angry, not sad. I will make this as clear as possible, because it seems to be going over the head of too many nonprofit arts leaders. When nonprofit arts organizations close down, suspend productions, or … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Closings: “Duh.”