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Scene Change

Arts are essential. Your nonprofit is not.

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Nonprofit Arts Orgs: If Your Only Answer Is ‘Cut,’ You’re Asking the Wrong Question

September 30, 2025 by Alan Harrison 1 Comment

So, what’s the right question? “See what the company looks like with a $6 million budget.” “Okay, but you know the income will take a beating, too.” “See what the company looks like with a $6 million budget.” These were some of the final words spoken to me by a board member at the then-$12 million Alabama Shakespeare Festival. After a whole bunch of years of … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Orgs: If Your Only Answer Is ‘Cut,’ You’re Asking the Wrong Question

Nonprofit Arts Leaders and Funders: What’s It Gonna Be? People or Buildings?

September 23, 2025 by Alan Harrison 2 Comments

With the industry in a nationwide, existential crisis, leaders may have to choose one or the other. If so, the choice is easy. It’s 2025 and the nonprofit arts world is crumbling around us. In Seattle, ACT (A Contemporary Theatre) and Seattle Shakespeare are now part of the same company, a company that celebrates the 461-year-old Englishman performing the most … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Leaders and Funders: What’s It Gonna Be? People or Buildings?

Nonprofit Arts Companies: Beware the Allure of the Headhunter

September 9, 2025 by Alan Harrison 1 Comment

It’s expensive, lazy, and a process rife with community red flags. But at least there are no money-back guarantees. Let me start by saying that I was headhunted several times for jobs and thought it was a dandy idea. I was egotistical, dumb, and thought that nonprofit arts jobs — even leadership positions — had a shelf life of about three years. I was also experienced, … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Companies: Beware the Allure of the Headhunter

A Strategic Plan for Your Flailing Nonprofit Arts Organization Is Just a Waste of Time

August 19, 2025 by Alan Harrison Leave a Comment

As Kate Larsen so brilliantly puts it, a strategic planning session is not the same thing as a strategic plan session. I’ve contributed to them. I’ve written them. I’ve defended them. And more than once, I’ve been burned by them. But still, it’s always the first thing every board chair tells every consultant that their company really needs one. A strategic … [Read more...] about A Strategic Plan for Your Flailing Nonprofit Arts Organization Is Just a Waste of Time

Arts Organizations: Laughing, Yelling, Insanity, and You

August 12, 2025 by Alan Harrison 1 Comment

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

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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

  • Nonprofit Arts Orgs: If Your Only Answer Is ‘Cut,’ You’re Asking the Wrong Question
  • Nonprofit Arts Leaders and Funders: What’s It Gonna Be? People or Buildings?
  • Born in the DSA*: Remove the Social Security Cap
  • Nonprofit Arts Companies: Beware the Allure of the Headhunter
  • Have People and Write Stuff Down

Recent Comments

  1. RICHARD TOSCAN on Nonprofit Arts Leaders and Funders: What’s It Gonna Be? People or Buildings?
  2. Harold N Cropp on Nonprofit Arts Orgs: If Your Only Answer Is ‘Cut,’ You’re Asking the Wrong Question
  3. Coe Tug Morgan on Nonprofit Arts Leaders and Funders: What’s It Gonna Be? People or Buildings?
  4. Larry on Nonprofit Arts Companies: Beware the Allure of the Headhunter
  5. Michael Chang on Arts Organizations: Laughing, Yelling, Insanity, and You

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