How do you determine the difference between your company’s suspected real issues and the actual real issues? What happens when you’re wrong? Presenting problem: Our nonprofit arts organization is broke. Real problem: Our nonprofit arts organization chooses to continue to provide art and nothing more, believing that the production of our version of art is a universal … [Read more...] about The Present “Presenting Problem” Problem Presents Problems for Nonprofit Arts Organizations
Arts and Culture
Ren Faires vs Basements: How Risky Is Nonprofit Art When No One Dies If You Fail?
I’ve had this completely wacky, unfounded theory of the production of art on a stage. It’s called, for lack of a better name, “Ren Faire vs Basement.” The theory goes that “Ren Faire” art (art presented at a Renaissance Faire, Fringe Festival, or by buskers, improv groups, and standups) uses approximately the same process during respective creations. The key is: they don’t … [Read more...] about Ren Faires vs Basements: How Risky Is Nonprofit Art When No One Dies If You Fail?
If Your Nonprofit Arts Organization’s Audience Is Comprised Solely of Ticket Buyers, You Missed the Point, the Boat, and Your Chance
Have you stuck by your audience? Are you stuck with your audience? Would you like to get unstuck? Subscriptions are dead. Subscriptions are not dead. Frequent buying of tickets is a pipe dream. Frequency is occurring at nonprofit arts organizations that aren’t yours. Ticketbuyers are old, want to be entertained, and dying off. Ticketbuyers are old, want to be … [Read more...] about If Your Nonprofit Arts Organization’s Audience Is Comprised Solely of Ticket Buyers, You Missed the Point, the Boat, and Your Chance
Nonprofit Arts Organizations: Sometimes, Old Trees Die, Too
With all the finger pointing and desperation, it’s important to remember that senescence changes everything, including your desperate nonprofit arts organization. This isn’t about trees. Did you know that ginkgo biloba trees can live to be 5,000 years old? After sifting through all the latest harangues, arguments, and blame pieces (including my own) about whose fault it … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Organizations: Sometimes, Old Trees Die, Too
The Arts (Nonprofit and Otherwise), Labor, Strikes, and the Real Issue
Labor Day is not a marker for the end of summer; it’s not about mattress sales; and it wasn’t created as an excuse to break out the barbecue. This will not be a history lesson. You can look up for yourself why Labor Day (or, alternatively, Labour Day) exists. Today, we won’t talk about nonprofit arts organizations in 2023, except to say that many are signatories to … [Read more...] about The Arts (Nonprofit and Otherwise), Labor, Strikes, and the Real Issue