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.
Board of Directors
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
Why Support Free Speech if You’re Just Going to Blackball?
I read recently that Molly Smith will be retiring from her position as the 25-year artistic director of Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. Molly is as liberal as they get in many ways, as am I. Many years ago, at a meeting about producing new plays, I listened to her process of development and asked a simple question. “If you were presented an excellent, unproduced … [Read more...] about Why Support Free Speech if You’re Just Going to Blackball?
Why Successful Nonprofit Arts Organizations Are More Like Restaurants Than You Think
Read the menu. It’s for a restaurant called El Bistró Argentino (The Argentinian Bistro). Do you believe that French food is their specialty? Do they believe it? Peanut butter and banana toast? And with Wonder® Bread, no less? And did you notice the prices? Let me ask you: if you wanted a French, Italian, or Chinese dinner, or a greasy spoon breakfast, might you … [Read more...] about Why Successful Nonprofit Arts Organizations Are More Like Restaurants Than You Think
What’s the Difference Between Stocking a Buffet and Feeding Hungry People?
Thanksgiving’s coming (here in the US, that is. It already happened in Canada because they’re way ahead of us on so many things, like universal healthcare, eh?). It’s on the 24th of the month. As a typical American, you will spend the week cooking up a storm. Well, not so much a storm as a typhoon. Generally, you’ll roast a turkey, make an accompanying gravy, and fix your … [Read more...] about What’s the Difference Between Stocking a Buffet and Feeding Hungry People?