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Scene Change

Arts are essential. Your nonprofit is not.

Philanthropy and Donors

“But what if IRS code 501(C)(3) included producing and exhibiting arts as a qualified tax-exempt activity?”

July 18, 2023 by Alan Harrison Leave a Comment

A good question. The answer has nothing to do with the obstacle to success. It’s only a symptom. I can see why you’d ask that question. It has been a key point in this column to bring out into the open the fact that Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service’s tax code does not include the production or exhibition of art as a tax-exempt activity. Normally, I … [Read more...] about “But what if IRS code 501(C)(3) included producing and exhibiting arts as a qualified tax-exempt activity?”

Nonprofit Arts Closings: “Duh.”

July 11, 2023 by Alan Harrison 1 Comment

Mark Taper Forum. Book-It Repertory. Lookingglass Theatre. Dozens of others to come. All because of what? Vision? Vanity? Vainglory? Or just money? It should make you angry, not sad. I will make this as clear as possible, because it seems to be going over the head of too many nonprofit arts leaders. When nonprofit arts organizations close down, suspend productions, or … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Closings: “Duh.”

Nonprofit Arts Funding: Why Reward Bad and Punish Good … Still?

June 6, 2023 by Alan Harrison 1 Comment

Why do funders support the same organizations because they’ve always supported the same organizations, regardless of their results? I thought this would have stopped by now. Silly me. In 2017, the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas, Texas was $151 million in debt, partly due in part to escalating expenses from a capital project gone haywire. According to the … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Funding: Why Reward Bad and Punish Good … Still?

“Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics” – Another Bad Research Project About the Arts Leads to Worse Conclusions

April 4, 2023 by Alan Harrison Leave a Comment

Benjamin Disraeli might have been referring to the latest irrelevant data on the economic power of the arts in 2021. [Jeez Louise. Why do they make me have to write this?] Let’s start with a basic question. What constitutes relevant data? If you’re really hungry and you find yourself in an apple orchard, which one of these points is the most relevant to you? If … [Read more...] about “Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics” – Another Bad Research Project About the Arts Leads to Worse Conclusions

What’s Your Nonprofit Arts Board’s Fifth Most Important Responsibility?

March 14, 2023 by Alan Harrison Leave a Comment

Now that you have the first four under your belt, here’s where the rubber meets the road. Okay, nonprofit arts board members, let’s go over this again. In order: And now, finally, #5. Advocate. Advocate zealously. In September 2020, we discussed the idea that board members are not ambassadors, regardless of what you may have heard. In fact, it was in the … [Read more...] about What’s Your Nonprofit Arts Board’s Fifth Most Important Responsibility?

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About Scene Change

In early 2024, we laid out the problem and gave you a path. The result: SCENE CHANGE: WHY TODAY'S NONPROFIT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS HAVE TO STOP PRODUCING ART AND START PRODUCING IMPACT. In late 2024, we gave you discussion prompts and rules to help you figure out the answers on your own. The result: … [MORE] about About Scene Change

About Alan Harrison

Alan Harrison is a writer, father, performer, consultant, recovering artist, and the author of the industry best-seller "Scene Change: Why Today's Nonprofit Arts Organizations Have to Stop Producing Art and Start Producing Impact" and “Scene Change 2: The Five REAL Responsibilities of Nonprofit Arts … [MORE] about About Alan Harrison

Recent Posts

  • SUMMER RERUN: Advocacy for the Nonprofit Arts Sector is Currently Meaningless
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  • SUMMER RERUN: The Con Is On – Raising Emergency Money at the Expense of Everyone Else Is Not a Heroic Act
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Recent Comments

  1. Benjamin Lemon on SUMMER RERUN: What Would a Post-NEA (Arts) America Look Like?
  2. Tom Tresser on No. Just No.
  3. Alan Harrison on Nonprofit Arts Success in a Changing Environment, Tip 6 — Don’t Talk About It; Do It.
  4. Joyce Linehan on Nonprofit Arts Success in a Changing Environment, Tip 6 — Don’t Talk About It; Do It.
  5. Trevor O’Donnell on “Duck and Cover” — Is That Your Motto for the Next 46 Months?

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