“How democratizing,” say A.I. experts. “How thrifty [cheap],” says my piggy bank. “How could you?” say actual artists. I use A.I. for stupid stuff like the image above, although I’m well aware that creating art in any form is not stupid. Neither a graphic designer, photographer, nor other artist received even a penny for that fake photograph. It should be noted, of … [Read more...] about A.I. and the Arts — I Use It. No one cares. Should You?
Backlash
Born in the DSA*: Remove the Social Security Cap
Did you make more than $176,100 this year? Did you tell your staff that you’re paying a lower Social Security tax than they are? I remember the moment clearly. In Alabama, I found myself in a quandary on a particular payday in late November. All of a sudden, I was receiving a higher take-home salary, even though I had not received a pay bump. I went to our finance office, … [Read more...] about Born in the DSA*: Remove the Social Security Cap
Consequences — If They Cut Funding, You Go Nuclear (or Go Home)
It’s a game of chicken. If your arts organization yields, everyone loses. Gerrymandering has been in the news of late. It’s a word I didn’t know until my eighth-grade history teacher, Mr. Ubick, gave us all a list of dangerous yet goofy-sounding political terms and phrases. “Gerrymandering” was at the top of a list that included “jingoism,” “filibuster,” “pork-barrel,” … [Read more...] about Consequences — If They Cut Funding, You Go Nuclear (or Go Home)
Arts Organizations: Laughing, Yelling, Insanity, and You
Nonprofit arts organizations are dropping like flies. Got a problem with that? You’re 12. You’re at the park, sitting under a tree, drinking cola out of a can. A wasp buzzes toward you. You get a little startled, but you get up and walk over to a nearby bench, swatting at the air to make sure the wasp doesn’t follow you. The wasp seems curious about your sugary drink, … [Read more...] about Arts Organizations: Laughing, Yelling, Insanity, and You
SUMMER RERUN: The Con Is On – Raising Emergency Money at the Expense of Everyone Else Is Not a Heroic Act
Especially when you leave the premises just before the devastation and claim victory I can’t believe that this is not only still happening, but that you’re allowing it to happen. On Thursday, May 8, 2025, Portland Center Stage launched a $9 million emergency fundraising campaign — another company utilizing the corrupt Oral Roberts School of Fundraising concept — … [Read more...] about SUMMER RERUN: The Con Is On – Raising Emergency Money at the Expense of Everyone Else Is Not a Heroic Act