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Scene Change

Arts are essential. Your nonprofit is not.

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Why Do Donors Ask for Irrelevant Data?

October 15, 2024 by Alan Harrison Leave a Comment

Could it be that you never talked to them about your nonprofit’s charitable goals and how they mesh with the donor’s? Whose fault is that? A few weeks ago, I participated in a discussion about the arts and measuring impact in the community. As every other author does, I believed that the message that the arts are not a tax-exempt activity had been spread far and wide among … [Read more...] about Why Do Donors Ask for Irrelevant Data?

Nonprofit Arts Organizations: What’s a “Community?”

September 17, 2024 by Alan Harrison 5 Comments

“Community” ≠ “Constituency.” And it’s certainly ≠ “Audience.” IYKYK. It’s not altogether clear that nonprofit arts organizations know what “community” means to their organization. They may have a dictionary definition at the ready, or some parsed-out word salad to describe the community of people they seek, but rarely do they describe the community (or communities) that … [Read more...] about Nonprofit Arts Organizations: What’s a “Community?”

“But That’s Not What We Do.” – Indeed. And That’s Why You’re Closing, Nonprofit Arts Organizations.

October 17, 2023 by Alan Harrison 5 Comments

No one else cares what you do or how well you do it. They care about why your community is made better by you having done it. It’s college football season in the United States. Not the “beautiful game,” but a completely different game in which the foot is used on the ball sparingly. Still warmish in many places, possibly some wildfires and hurricanes still going on, but … [Read more...] about “But That’s Not What We Do.” – Indeed. And That’s Why You’re Closing, Nonprofit Arts Organizations.

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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

  • Story Time — A Fable for the Nonprofit Arts Sector
  • It’s 2026. Oy. Is the Nonprofit Arts Sector in America Any Healthier?
  • “SCENE CHANGE 3” Just Named to Kirkus Reviews’ “25 Best Indies of 2025!”
  • Born in the DSA*: Little Donny Dingdong Be Damned**, Let Everybody Vote
  • Dear “The Ground We Stand On,” — A Letter to BIPOC Artists

Recent Comments

  1. Alan Harrison on Story Time — A Fable for the Nonprofit Arts Sector
  2. antonio c. cuyler on Story Time — A Fable for the Nonprofit Arts Sector
  3. HEIDI MUNZINGER on Born in the DSA*: It’s Time to Sign a New Declaration of Independence
  4. Richard Voorhaar (Minnesotan) on Born in the DSA*: It’s Time to Sign a New Declaration of Independence
  5. Alan Harrison on Why Are American Nonprofit Arts Organizations Failing? It’s Not as Complicated as You Think.

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