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Scene Change

Arts are essential. Your nonprofit is not.

Executive Director

Nonprofit Arts Board Members: “Oughta” Just Won’t Cut It

January 31, 2023 by Alan Harrison Leave a Comment

You know what you really oughta do? Stop telling other people what they oughta do. “Oughta.” The “O” word. Board members are not consultants. They advise, to be sure, but a good board member does not see him- or herself as a consultant. Consultants are paid to tell the truth to the organization in order for the organization to thrive (although too many are paid to echo … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Board Members: “Oughta” Just Won’t Cut It

Nonprofit Arts Leaders: Already Practicing Equity? Or Is It Just Equality?

January 17, 2023 by Alan Harrison Leave a Comment

As has been widely discussed, equity is not the same thing as equality. The words are too often used interchangeably, but they are vastly different in impact. Each uses tools, but equity requires a second step. In that way, using the image above as a reference, a movie theatre handing out 3D glasses is a form of equality. They offer the same experience for every audience … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Leaders: Already Practicing Equity? Or Is It Just Equality?

Changing the Way Nonprofit Arts Organizations Do Business is Hard. Aw.

January 10, 2023 by Alan Harrison 2 Comments

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.

Protests, Marches, and the Nonprofit Arts Industry: How Change Happens Is Circumstantial

January 3, 2023 by Alan Harrison Leave a Comment

So, just change the circumstances. In this first article for 2023, let’s discuss how change happens. Real change. Decisive change. Permanent change. For better or worse. Change is essential to the betterment of the planet, continent, country, state, city, neighborhood, community. Without disequilibrium, we have stasis. And stasis is only good for those on the top of the … [Read more...] about Protests, Marches, and the Nonprofit Arts Industry: How Change Happens Is Circumstantial

That Moment When Impolitic Damage Impairs Your Influence

November 22, 2022 by Alan Harrison Leave a Comment

Guilty, as charged. Snark and sarcasm are very powerful, passive-aggressive tools to show how supremely intelligent, talented, and attractive you are. (See what I did there?) It doesn’t translate well to the page, as I am well aware. You have to point out the mockery, else a reader may take it as an actual feeling. I should know, because I’ve done it too many times … [Read more...] about That Moment When Impolitic Damage Impairs Your Influence

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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, “Scene Change 2: The Five REAL Responsibilities of Nonprofit Arts … [MORE] about About Alan Harrison

Recent Posts

  • Dear “The Ground We Stand On,” — A Letter to BIPOC Artists
  • When Doctors Prescribe the Arts as Treatment, Nonprofit Arts Organizations (At Long Last) Prove Their Worth
  • The 2025, Final, Never-To-Be-Repeated, Carol for Nonprofit Arts Organizations
  • A.I. and the Arts — I Use It. No one cares. Should You?
  • Born in the DSA*: It’s Time to Sign a New Declaration of Independence

Recent Comments

  1. HEIDI MUNZINGER on Born in the DSA*: It’s Time to Sign a New Declaration of Independence
  2. Richard Voorhaar (Minnesotan) on Born in the DSA*: It’s Time to Sign a New Declaration of Independence
  3. Alan Harrison on Why Are American Nonprofit Arts Organizations Failing? It’s Not as Complicated as You Think.
  4. Angela Meleca on Why Are American Nonprofit Arts Organizations Failing? It’s Not as Complicated as You Think.
  5. David E. Myers on Why Are American Nonprofit Arts Organizations Failing? It’s Not as Complicated as You Think.

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