{"id":115,"date":"2022-11-15T12:01:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T12:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/?p=115"},"modified":"2022-10-25T05:33:20","modified_gmt":"2022-10-25T05:33:20","slug":"why-successful-nonprofit-arts-organizations-are-more-like-restaurants-than-you-think","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2022\/11\/15\/why-successful-nonprofit-arts-organizations-are-more-like-restaurants-than-you-think\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Successful Nonprofit Arts Organizations Are More Like Restaurants Than You Think"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Read the menu. It\u2019s for a restaurant called El Bistr\u00f3 Argentino (The Argentinian Bistro).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you believe that French food is their specialty? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do they <\/em>believe it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peanut butter and banana toast? And with Wonder\u00ae<\/sup> Bread, no less?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And did you notice the prices?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me ask you: if you wanted a French, Italian, or Chinese dinner, or a greasy spoon breakfast, might you instead choose actual French, Italian, Chinese, or American chain diner-style restaurants? Hold that thought for a moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

If you see yourself and your organization as an entity that resides in a small room surrounded by mirrors, then it would make sense that you program for yourself. You are the only audience that you see, which makes you the only audience member about whose life you care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Alternately, if you see yourself as a curator whose job is to present the most \u201cexcellent\u201d visual or performance artwork, then it would make sense that you program for the audience members around you, even if you\u2019re in a commercial venue in London, Sydney, New York, Toronto, or Keokuk, Iowa. The only audience members that you see reacts to the art that particular day or night, which makes them the only audience members about whose life you care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It’s funny, though. Neither of these are your audience. As a nonprofit arts organization, your audience doesn\u2019t even have to step through your door or watch your art. In fact, your audience might never <\/em>consume the art you do. And yet, it is your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your community is your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stop rolling your eyes. Your community is your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not just those who attend. And certainly not the transactional folks you currently call \u201cticket-buyers.\u201d That\u2019s a quid pro quo<\/em> transactional relationship, after all. They buy ticket; they see art; done done done. Even if they are season ticket holders or members,<\/em> they\u2019re still buying a product, consuming it, and in doing so, finish the transaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you believe that you have to placate, appease, satisfy, and pacify certain people, people who purchase either a product or donation, it might become impossible to serve your real audience, your community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you remember them? <\/em>They\u2019re the people who asked you to serve their needs, gaps, and issues that adversely affect them. They asked you to start your charity for a reason, and the reason probably wasn\u2019t the idea of servicing the artistic whims of billionaires, artistes, or other elites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Or you, for that matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is really only one question that a leader of a nonprofit arts organization, whether that\u2019s a board member, an executive director, an artistic head, or any other leader within a company needs to ask at the end of every day:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Anything less is abdication of duty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Rather than looking at this question and taking a defensive stab at an unprovable answer, or worse, paying no attention at all, you could decide to provide a menu of services that, when successful, guarantees to make your community a better place to live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re in the hall of mirrors and believe that your organization has to produce, for lack of a better example, a musical, a drama, a new play, a classic, a comedy, and a Christmas play each year, you\u2019re failing. It\u2019s as ridiculous as an Argentinian restaurant that serves French, Chinese, and Italian food. Oh, and peanut butter and banana toast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be the expert at what you do. Not an<\/em> expert. The <\/em>expert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To wit: if you want French food, you go to a French restaurant. It\u2019s the likeliest place to get good French food, because they purport to be the expert at what they do. And if you like it, you\u2019ll go there every time you want French food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your nonprofit arts organization is like a French restaurant. The theater company around the corner is like an Italian restaurant. And the museum a mile away is the Chinese restaurant. When people want the expert experience that each offers, they\u2019ll support that work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019ll never go to El Bistr\u00f3 Argentino. Don\u2019t be El Bistr\u00f3 Argentino.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Who is in your community (and not just the elites)? What are the demographics within 20 minutes of your front door? Or, better, how would your community react if you brought art to the neediest among you and find a way to get them help along the way?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have a discussion about your community\u2019s needs before you begin to program, not after. Don\u2019t presume that your production of Porgy and Bess <\/em>is a work that celebrates the Black experience in your community. It might not be. Especially if you follow it up with The Odd Couple, Hamlet, <\/em>and the world premiere of an avant-garde performance art piece by an artist you like. <\/em>And if you\u2019ve already programmed that season, you\u2019re way too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your nonprofit arts organization is like a French restaurant. The theater company around the corner is like an Italian restaurant. And the museum a mile away is the Chinese restaurant. When people want the expert experience that each offers, they\u2019ll support that work.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re in the lap of the elites and believe that your organization has to produce \u201csafe,\u201d \u201cclean,\u201d \u201capolitical\u201d art or else you\u2019ll lose donor revenue, you\u2019d be dead wrong. Instead, after getting the answers from the other nonprofits in your community about what its biggest needs are, ask your donors (before you program at all) which issue might induce them to contribute to a solution. Engage with them instead of just begging for bucks. Then find the nonprofit in your community that\u2019s working on that particular issue and work out a partnership that lasts longer than the art does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the sake of all that is holy, do not try to be all things to all people. It\u2019s not just a question of branding (although it kinda is) and niche marketing (all arts organizations, no matter the size, serve a niche of the public, not the whole thing). It\u2019s a question of doing the right thing\u2014doing what it says in that big orange hexagon above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Based in Kirkland, Washington, <\/em>Alan Harrison<\/em><\/a> is a writer and speaker specializing in nonprofit organizations, strategy, the arts, and life politics. His columns appear regularly in major publications. Contact him directly at <\/em>alan@501c3.guru.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re feeling generous or inspired, just <\/em>click on the coffee cup<\/em><\/a> above. You don\u2019t have to, of course, but if you can afford it and find some value here, please provide the desperate need for caffeine.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alan is always looking for good opportunities to write and consult for nonprofits that need a hand. And, of course, that elusive <\/em>Perfect Opportunity\u2122.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

BIG NEWS: Alan\u2019s new book, \u201cScene Change: Why Nonprofit Arts Organization Must Stop Producing Art and Start Producing Impact\u201d will be published within the next eleven months by Changemakers Books. Stay tuned for information on how you can buy a copy.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Read the menu. It\u2019s for a restaurant called El Bistr\u00f3 Argentino (The Argentinian Bistro). Do you believe that French food is their specialty? Do they believe it? Peanut butter and banana toast? And with Wonder\u00ae Bread, no less? And did you notice the prices? Let me ask you: if you wanted a French, Italian, or […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":116,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,20,32,28,23,19,18,17,27,1],"tags":[34],"class_list":{"0":"post-115","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts-and-culture","8":"category-board-of-directors","9":"category-charity","10":"category-diversity-equity-inclusion","11":"category-executive-director","12":"category-leadership","13":"category-nonprofit","14":"category-nonprofit-arts-organizations","15":"category-philanthropy-and-donors","16":"category-uncategorized","17":"tag-branding","18":"entry"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Crazy-menu-for-ArtsJournal.png?fit=594%2C275&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":757,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2024\/02\/13\/nonprofit-arts-organizations-you-missed-the-point-again\/","url_meta":{"origin":115,"position":0},"title":"Nonprofit Arts Organizations: You Missed the Point. Again.","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"February 13, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Yes, you're a nonprofit. Big deal. Like tennis, if you don't serve well, it's your fault.","rel":"","context":"In "Arts and Culture"","block_context":{"text":"Arts and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/category\/arts-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Tennis-ball-into-the-net.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Tennis-ball-into-the-net.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Tennis-ball-into-the-net.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Tennis-ball-into-the-net.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Tennis-ball-into-the-net.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":543,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2023\/09\/19\/if-your-nonprofit-arts-organizations-audience-is-comprised-solely-of-ticket-buyers-you-missed-the-point-the-boat-and-your-chance\/","url_meta":{"origin":115,"position":1},"title":"If Your Nonprofit Arts Organization\u2019s Audience Is Comprised Solely of Ticket Buyers, You Missed the Point, the Boat, and Your Chance","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"September 19, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Have you stuck by your audience? Are you stuck with your audience? Would you like to get unstuck?","rel":"","context":"In "Arts and Culture"","block_context":{"text":"Arts and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/category\/arts-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/ripped-ticket1.jpg?fit=1100%2C648&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/ripped-ticket1.jpg?fit=1100%2C648&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/ripped-ticket1.jpg?fit=1100%2C648&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/ripped-ticket1.jpg?fit=1100%2C648&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/ripped-ticket1.jpg?fit=1100%2C648&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":457,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2023\/06\/20\/warning-the-following-column-was-completely-written-by-a-i-as-such-it-should-terrify-you\/","url_meta":{"origin":115,"position":2},"title":"Warning: The Following Column Was Completely Written by A.I. As Such, It Should Terrify You.","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"June 20, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"For my nonprofit arts colleagues worldwide who are agonizing over whether they might be replaced, be assured. You likely will.","rel":"","context":"In "Arts and Culture"","block_context":{"text":"Arts and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/category\/arts-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Enhanced-AI-typing.jpg?fit=1200%2C711&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Enhanced-AI-typing.jpg?fit=1200%2C711&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Enhanced-AI-typing.jpg?fit=1200%2C711&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Enhanced-AI-typing.jpg?fit=1200%2C711&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Enhanced-AI-typing.jpg?fit=1200%2C711&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1352,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2025\/07\/25\/advocacy-for-the-nonprofit-arts-sector-is-currently-meaningless\/","url_meta":{"origin":115,"position":3},"title":"SUMMER RERUN: Advocacy for the Nonprofit Arts Sector is Currently Meaningless","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"July 25, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Lost amid a string of inside-baseball phrases and ideologies, officials have little idea as to why they would possibly fund institutions that serve themselves first. It's easy to make the case for art. For artists. For charity. But for humongous nonprofit arts organizations that still can\u2019t figure out why funding\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Arts and Culture"","block_context":{"text":"Arts and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/category\/arts-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/mural-by-beastman-spotlight-sydenham-in-christchurch-canterbury1.jpg?fit=1000%2C467&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/mural-by-beastman-spotlight-sydenham-in-christchurch-canterbury1.jpg?fit=1000%2C467&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/mural-by-beastman-spotlight-sydenham-in-christchurch-canterbury1.jpg?fit=1000%2C467&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/mural-by-beastman-spotlight-sydenham-in-christchurch-canterbury1.jpg?fit=1000%2C467&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":362,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2023\/04\/25\/nonprofit-art-and-the-tyranny-of-happiness\/","url_meta":{"origin":115,"position":4},"title":"Nonprofit Art and The Tyranny of Happiness","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"April 25, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Nonprofits cost you a lot of money. Not \u201cyou,\u201d as in \u201cyou who run or donate to nonprofits.\u201d \u201cYou\u201d as in \u201ceveryone who pays taxes in the United States.\u201d","rel":"","context":"In "Arts and Culture"","block_context":{"text":"Arts and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/category\/arts-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Nervous-Smile.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Nervous-Smile.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Nervous-Smile.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Nervous-Smile.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Nervous-Smile.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1647,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2026\/02\/26\/short-and-sweet-teachers-that-teach-teachers-that-educate-arts-nonprofits-that-produce-arts-nonprofits-that-are-worth-a-donation\/","url_meta":{"origin":115,"position":5},"title":"Short and Sweet: Teachers : Educators :: Arts Organizations : Nonprofit Arts Organizations That Deserve Donations","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"February 26, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Back to the basics, because the message is only going so far. It\u2019s up to you to save the sector from its own worst instincts.","rel":"","context":"In "Arts and Culture"","block_context":{"text":"Arts and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/category\/arts-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/differential-calculus-2820672_1920.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/differential-calculus-2820672_1920.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/differential-calculus-2820672_1920.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/differential-calculus-2820672_1920.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/differential-calculus-2820672_1920.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=115"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":173,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115\/revisions\/173"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/116"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=115"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=115"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=115"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}