“Seattle’s Living Room” requires a billion dollar renovation. Here’s a thought… I sat in on a convening of arts leaders from across the country recently and heard so much unfounded hope, you’d have thought it was a tent meeting. I heard participant after participant blather on about what they wished for in 20 years, rather than answering the question at hand, which was, … [Read more...] about Seattle Center is Falling Apart: Notes from the East German Judge
Philanthropy and Donors
“SCENE CHANGE 3” Just Named to Kirkus Reviews’ “25 Best Indies of 2025!”
If you're serious about succeeding as a nonprofit arts organization, you're going to want to pick up the trilogy by going to scenechangebook.com or your favorite bookstore. Happy new year, folks. I just wanted you to know that the final book in the Scene Change trilogy has been getting fantastic reviews and offers success stories in the midst of this calamitous financial … [Read more...] about “SCENE CHANGE 3” Just Named to Kirkus Reviews’ “25 Best Indies of 2025!”
The 2025, Final, Never-To-Be-Repeated, Carol for Nonprofit Arts Organizations
I know, it’s tradition. Every year about this time, another carol and generally, you don't read it. But this will be the last one ever, so please make it count. Each year, we attempt a rather bad parody of a famous holiday poem or song to run on the Tuesday before US Thanksgiving, the least likely time you’ll read it. Let alone sing it. This year, we destroyed a … [Read more...] about The 2025, Final, Never-To-Be-Repeated, Carol for Nonprofit Arts Organizations
Why Are American Nonprofit Arts Organizations Failing? It’s Not as Complicated as You Think.
The easiest explanations tend to be the right ones. I’m surprised that anyone in the nonprofit arts sector has any skin left on their hands with all the wringing that’s been happening in the industry about the loss of audience, money, and favor. Every article on the nonprofit arts seems to be the announcement of a death knell, a merger, slashed budgets, layoffs, … [Read more...] about Why Are American Nonprofit Arts Organizations Failing? It’s Not as Complicated as You Think.
Out of Hand Theater is the Best Theater in America
$1 million of government funding rescinded?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