Nonprofit arts organizations that refuse to tend to the un-served among us just bolster the elitism epithets, deservedly so. But artists can make the kind of magic that makes lives better for everyone, especially those who need help. I had a set-to recently with an arts administrator who didn’t believe that Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs was applicable to the arts. I won’t … [Read more...] about Artists Don’t Need Vanity-Led Arts Organizations to Make Your City Grow
Leadership
54 Percent and Nonprofit Arts Organizations
Sustainability is boring. It’s risk-averse. It asks you to improve your impact rather than win It’s a lousy way to run a ballclub. It’s the perfect way to run your arts organization. Back in October, just after the regular season ended for Major League Baseball (MLB) in the US, who said the following? “Nobody wants to hear the goal this year is, ‘We’re going to win 54 … [Read more...] about 54 Percent and Nonprofit Arts Organizations
Pulling at a Few Threads
Certitude has its drawbacks. Redemption might be a better idea. Especially for nonprofit arts folks. Happy New Year, 2024. May you be the year in which the fog lifts. May you be the year in which forgiveness and redemption replace cancellation and blacklisting. May you be the year in which grudges fade. And may you be the year in which disagreements don’t devolve into … [Read more...] about Pulling at a Few Threads
Nonprofit Arts Organizations: In 2024, There’s Going to Be a Lot of Noise. Take Advantage.
Take the time to understand that your art is not your company’s product. Impact is, whether you want it to be or not. And if your company doesn’t aim for impact, it’ll never be essential. Everything that happens in 2024 in the nonprofit arts world will go relatively unnoticed. At least in the United States. The news will cover the poorly-written trash soap/reality show … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Organizations: In 2024, There’s Going to Be a Lot of Noise. Take Advantage.
The Cure-All for Nonprofit Arts Organizations Doesn’t Exist
Too many variables cause irrational solutions, especially where impact is involved. Analyze and know your company’s place in your ecosystem, but then stop analyzing and just do. I have many friends in the nonprofit arts business who are searching for a replicable set of actions that predict success. Much like the flocks of flaks that worshiped Danny Newman’s Subscribe Now! … [Read more...] about The Cure-All for Nonprofit Arts Organizations Doesn’t Exist