Robert's Rules of Order? The art? The revenue? The needs of the community? It’s the first Tuesday in February. Welcome to your first board meeting! It’s 7:00pm. You rushed home, had a quick dinner, and drove like a bat out of hell to get there at 6:55. Surprisingly, you’re among the first people there. You were unanimously elected to the board at the January … [Read more...] about What Did You Talk About at Your First Nonprofit Arts Board Meeting Tonight?
Leadership
Nonprofit Arts Board Members: “Oughta” Just Won’t Cut It
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
“Those People” – Does Your Arts Organization Understand Equity? Really?
I’ve never been a big fan of synopses—especially if the synopsis is lengthy and appears in a program for a play in modern English. I, as it happens, understand contemporary English very well as it is the language in which I speak, write, and think. Opera in Italian? Sure, why not. But a play in English for an English-speaking audience? Not a fan. But that doesn’t mean … [Read more...] about “Those People” – Does Your Arts Organization Understand Equity? Really?
Nonprofit Arts Leaders: Already Practicing Equity? Or Is It Just Equality?
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.
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.