$1 million of government funding rescinded? Big deal. When your nonprofit arts organization chooses to do the right thing, it’s an equation that works. If you cast your mind back, I’m sure you’ll remember this column from May 7, 2024: Nonprofit Arts Success: Out of Hand Theater Shakes the Trees of Social Justice. After all, it was only just under 500 days ago and not … [Read more...] about Out of Hand Theater is the Best Theater in America
Change
“A PUNCHY, OUTSPOKEN ARGUMENT FOR HOW NONPROFIT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD BE RUN.”
Pick up a copy of the Scene Change trilogy. Scene Change 3 just received its first review, and it's a doozy. You're going to want at least one for you and one for your board chair. An example-driven new map to success in the realm of nonprofit theater. “What good is a program without results that show impact?” asks theatrical director and producer Harrison, a 30-year … [Read more...] about “A PUNCHY, OUTSPOKEN ARGUMENT FOR HOW NONPROFIT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD BE RUN.”
Nonprofit Arts Companies: Beware the Allure of the Headhunter
It’s expensive, lazy, and a process rife with community red flags. But at least there are no money-back guarantees. Let me start by saying that I was headhunted several times for jobs and thought it was a dandy idea. I was egotistical, dumb, and thought that nonprofit arts jobs — even leadership positions — had a shelf life of about three years. I was also experienced, … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Companies: Beware the Allure of the Headhunter
Have People and Write Stuff Down
The arts might be great for inspiration, but Sartre had it wrong. Over the last 12 months two of my partner’s brothers died. One in September 2024, the other in August 2025 (as in, last month). In both cases, my partner was in charge of the administration of their estates. These were her two favorite siblings, flawed in their own ways like any human, but ultimately good, … [Read more...] about Have People and Write Stuff Down
Consequences — If They Cut Funding, You Go Nuclear (or Go Home)
It’s a game of chicken. If your arts organization yields, everyone loses. Gerrymandering has been in the news of late. It’s a word I didn’t know until my eighth-grade history teacher, Mr. Ubick, gave us all a list of dangerous yet goofy-sounding political terms and phrases. “Gerrymandering” was at the top of a list that included “jingoism,” “filibuster,” “pork-barrel,” … [Read more...] about Consequences — If They Cut Funding, You Go Nuclear (or Go Home)