No, it’s not fair. But as everyone, including white male artists, have been told, life isn’t fair. Before the meat of this column: I am, according to a DNA site, 100% Ashkenazi Jewish Diaspora, more specifically Litvak. To white racists, I’m a Jew (and not white), usually pronounced with a long “e” sound right after the “J,” as in “Jē-ü.” To non-whites, I’m a white guy. … [Read more...] about Backlash: White Male Artists Are Losing Their Careers
DEI
The [Insert Letter Here] Word and the Arts
DEI is not a contest between. It’s a contest for. The C word (no, not that one — the 5-letter one that’s not just for Chinese people anymore). The E word (if you want to get abandoned in a snowdrift in Yellowknife, just use this slur). The F word (no, not that one — the 6-letter one). The G word (not just for Koreans anymore). The I word (unless the … [Read more...] about The [Insert Letter Here] Word and the Arts
The Closet(s).
With acts of tolerance and impact, nonprofit arts organizations in America could set the anti-competitive tone for everyone. But, generally, they don’t. There are a lot of closets out there with a lot of people in them. And, unsurprisingly, there are a lot of people who would like those people to stay just where they are, for numerous reasons. LGBT folx have been … [Read more...] about The Closet(s).
“Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics” – Another Bad Research Project About the Arts Leads to Worse Conclusions
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
Arts Boards: What’s Your Fourth Most Important Responsibility?
Now that you know why you’re there, what’s expected of you, and to whom you report, find others — especially if they’re not like you at all. Thankfully, by now, as a board member of a nonprofit arts organization (or one who knows a board member), you’ve read the three most responsibilities of a nonprofit arts board member. You may agree with them. You may be … [Read more...] about Arts Boards: What’s Your Fourth Most Important Responsibility?