{"id":1323,"date":"2025-03-18T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/?p=1323"},"modified":"2025-02-18T20:47:37","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T20:47:37","slug":"nonprofit-arts-success-in-a-changing-environment-tip-5-you-cant-do-it-alone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2025\/03\/18\/nonprofit-arts-success-in-a-changing-environment-tip-5-you-cant-do-it-alone\/","title":{"rendered":"Nonprofit Arts Success in a Changing Environment, Tip 5 \u2014 You Can\u2019t Do It Alone"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong>The work to deprogram cultish minds is dangerous. Get help. Lots of it.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/501c3.guru\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"569\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Trumpology-Center.jpg?resize=1024%2C569&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1324\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Trumpology-Center.jpg?resize=1024%2C569&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Trumpology-Center.jpg?resize=300%2C167&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Trumpology-Center.jpg?resize=768%2C427&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Trumpology-Center.jpg?resize=630%2C350&amp;ssl=1 630w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Trumpology-Center.jpg?w=1401&amp;ssl=1 1401w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Image of Scientology Center, East Hollywood, by Matthew Field licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>In the new\/old world order of Trumpian policy, your arts organization faces the real possibility that, in the face of anti-arts, anti-education, and anti-truth political muckraking euphemistically calling itself \u201cpopulism,\u201d it will be shut down. To combat that, we\u2019ve talked about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Utilizing your workforce as a team instead of contestants in <em>The Hunger Games<\/em>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Not arrogantly showing off your intellect in a world that is anti-intellect by pandering or by \u201cdumbing down\u201d your approach;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Eliminating individual displays of symbolism or protest that are only seen or heard by those who already believe the way you believe; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Not calling people rhinoceroses when they do something that they believe is in their best interest, regardless of what it is, how you feel about it, or how gray and wrinkly they may be.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The most intelligent thing your nonprofit arts organization can do right now is concentrate on your community. Act hyper-local. No local nonprofit arts organization can win the day by taking on the national fascist zeitgeist, especially on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You need help, allies, colleagues, and discipline. Currently, the nonprofit arts industry has a lot of out-for-themselves, don\u2019t-tell-us-what-to-do, lone wolves trying to make a name for themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/p\/books\/scene-change-why-today-s-nonprofit-arts-organizations-have-to-stop-producing-art-and-start-producing-impact-alan-harrison\/19872415\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"482\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Photo-by-patrice-schoefolt_-https___www.pexels.com_photo_close-up-shot-of-a-wolf-howling-12000610_.jpg?resize=1024%2C482&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Photo-by-patrice-schoefolt_-https___www.pexels.com_photo_close-up-shot-of-a-wolf-howling-12000610_.jpg?resize=1024%2C482&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Photo-by-patrice-schoefolt_-https___www.pexels.com_photo_close-up-shot-of-a-wolf-howling-12000610_.jpg?resize=300%2C141&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Photo-by-patrice-schoefolt_-https___www.pexels.com_photo_close-up-shot-of-a-wolf-howling-12000610_.jpg?resize=768%2C361&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Photo-by-patrice-schoefolt_-https___www.pexels.com_photo_close-up-shot-of-a-wolf-howling-12000610_.jpg?w=1141&amp;ssl=1 1141w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Even lone wolves howl for a pack they can work with. (Photo by patrice schoefolt from Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The path forward cannot be about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the work of your organization;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the title or subject matter of your plays or concerts or exhibits;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>your \u201cvision,\u201d whatever that is;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>your definition of \u201cexcellence,\u201d whatever that is; and,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You cannot silo yourself off, nor can you let others sit on the sidelines in an escapist mode, waiting for all of this to blow over. It will blow over, or it might blow up. Hard to tell right now, nor do you have the power to change that. What you <em>do<\/em> have the power to do is to recognize the 3-dimensional chess game the other side has been playing while you\u2019ve been playing solitaire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/501c3.guru\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"675\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/3-dimensional-chess.jpg?resize=675%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1326\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/3-dimensional-chess.jpg?resize=675%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 675w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/3-dimensional-chess.jpg?resize=198%2C300&amp;ssl=1 198w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/3-dimensional-chess.jpg?resize=768%2C1165&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/3-dimensional-chess.jpg?w=923&amp;ssl=1 923w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 675px) 100vw, 675px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong>Go ahead and apply for federal grants from the NEA, even if you\u2019re sticking to your DEI guns or producing work that may offend the potentate.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You won\u2019t get the grants. That\u2019s not the point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re the only one applying, then you\u2019ll be dismissed by this administration as irrelevant to the discussion. A single bee, easy to swat away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, when thousands of arts organizations apply, using the same proud language (and showing actual results), the administration may still deny funding, but instead of one bee, you\u2019ll be a swarm. The data coming from that process (assuming everyone makes their grant applications and denial letters public), used hyper-locally, should help build the case that it is the administration doesn\u2019t care about your community (not just your arts organization).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You make an easy target. The whole community is a different story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/501c3.guru\/scene-change\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"318\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bees1.jpg?resize=1024%2C318&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bees1.jpg?resize=1024%2C318&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bees1.jpg?resize=300%2C93&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bees1.jpg?resize=768%2C239&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/bees1.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you <em>choose not to apply at all<\/em>, for whatever reason, valid or not, the message sent is harmful on two fronts. First, if no one were to apply for funding, the NEA will certainly disappear with the explanation that the funding is unnecessary. After all, no one applied; therefore, no one needed the money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The second problem with not applying (or changing the fiber of your organization to be anti-DEI or pro-fascist) is that when you do, you act as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.history.com\/news\/chamberlain-declares-peace-for-our-time-75-years-ago\">Chamberlain-esque<\/a> appeaser. In doing so, <em>you\u2019d be proving to your community that your organization is unnecessary.<\/em> In addition, the administration to which you believe you have to be sycophantic will not care one whit. Your organization reverts to being a bee, one that has already lost its stinger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong>Network and strategize.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Running an organization can be lonely. <a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2012\/02\/its-time-to-acknowledge-ceo-lo\">According to studies done at Harvard<\/a>, half of CEOs in America report experienced loneliness in that role. Of this group, 61% believed it hinders their performance. 70% percent of first-time CEOs who reported loneliness conveyed that the feelings negatively affect their performance. Fight that urge to accept the \u201clonely at the top\u201d syndrome. Network without shame or superiority. Share both your failures and your successes. If you try to do it all yourself, you will fail at the pragmatic goal of regaining society through the arts. And if you only produce escapist art to try and stay clear of controversy, you\u2019re burying your head in the sand of the current climate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/stores\/Alan-Harrison\/author\/B0CRX7KK4Y?ref=ap_rdr&amp;isDramIntegrated=true&amp;shoppingPortalEnabled=true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"649\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/concept-fear-businessman-like-ostrich-600nw-1964232201.jpg?resize=1024%2C649&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1328\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/concept-fear-businessman-like-ostrich-600nw-1964232201.jpg?resize=1024%2C649&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/concept-fear-businessman-like-ostrich-600nw-1964232201.jpg?resize=300%2C190&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/concept-fear-businessman-like-ostrich-600nw-1964232201.jpg?resize=768%2C486&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/concept-fear-businessman-like-ostrich-600nw-1964232201.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Even ostriches don\u2019t do this.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Today, the portion of the society that holds sway is the same group that, not all that long ago, had been buried in obscurity. Parsed into small societies of White supremacists, chauvinists, and reactionary evangelical Christians, they had little power. However, beginning with the Reagan administration defanging the FCC\u2019s equal-time rule \u2014 a decision that allowed cynical, obscenely wealthy powermongers to purchase and control almost everything that Americans read, hear, and see \u2014 the weapon of fear successfully clotted and coagulated these folks into legitimate sources of power. Their power as individual groups was limited; together, they\u2019ve insurrected their way into leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ko-fi.com\/alanharrison\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/trump-rally-55-percent.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/trump-rally-55-percent.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/trump-rally-55-percent.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/trump-rally-55-percent.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/trump-rally-55-percent.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ladies and gentlemen, here is the new Thought Police.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Instead of decrying those that disagreed with them on single issues, they gained strength by ceding power to their leaders. In essence, they\u2019ve become the Thought Police of today, merely enforcing atrocities without believing they had any responsibility in creating them. That\u2019s why they have no problem with the presumed Nazi Elon Musk and his information-gathering thuggery. \u201cJews will not replace us\u201d is acceptable, not because most of the people on the right believe it, but because it serves them to stay quiet. As the father of a transgender child, I have my own anger issues regarding a group of people that choose not to understand what they went through, but instead want to force-feed the same kind of quasi-religion followed by the Nazis, by stoning them and those like them in the public square. Some on the right agree with me, but they are more popular when they say nothing, so that\u2019s what they do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cPeople simply disappeared, always during the night. Your name was removed from the registers, every record of everything you had ever done was wiped out, your one-time existence was denied and then forgotten. You were abolished, annihilated: vaporized was the usual word.\u201d\u2014 George Orwell, <strong>1984<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The scales have a giant, money-grubbing, 1% thumb on them. It\u2019s going to take a lot of us to rebalance them. Remember what the goal is and don\u2019t get in the weeds of individual non-support. It doesn\u2019t work and it takes valuable leaders out of play. And the every-five-minute scream isn\u2019t going to get the scales fixed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/stores\/Alan-Harrison\/author\/B0CRX7KK4Y?ref=ap_rdr&amp;isDramIntegrated=true&amp;shoppingPortalEnabled=true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"752\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Thumb-on-the-scale.jpg?resize=1024%2C752&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1330\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Thumb-on-the-scale.jpg?resize=1024%2C752&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Thumb-on-the-scale.jpg?resize=300%2C220&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Thumb-on-the-scale.jpg?resize=768%2C564&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Thumb-on-the-scale.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong>It\u2019s your turn.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Get your allies together to solve big issues. And please, don\u2019t decry any single transgression you believe an ally has committed (unless it\u2019s abuse or a crime, of course). No one is pure. Leadership does not come from unanimity; it comes from rabid consensus. All this is going to take time to succeed, just like the right-wing insurrectionism did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your single act of protest will be dismissed quickly (see Kendrick Lamar). <em>Your continued acts<\/em> showing your commitment to your own community will mean more to local support of your own organization. Find ways to help other companies in your area to do the same; it will cause your art to become a movement instead of a one-off. Network nationally \u2014 not to solve national problems, but to gain support and build numbers on your side. <em>Even if you have to network with an individual you don\u2019t like.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/501c3.guru\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Al-Franken.jpg?resize=1024%2C400&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1331\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Al-Franken.jpg?resize=1024%2C400&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Al-Franken.jpg?resize=300%2C117&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Al-Franken.jpg?resize=768%2C300&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Al-Franken.jpg?resize=1536%2C600&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Al-Franken.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In retrospect, was forcing Senator Al Franken to resign a good idea?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><br><strong>Go public.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, as my algebra teacher forced us to do, <em>show your work<\/em>. You may feel vulnerable when you show your numbers, your data, your charitable impact on the local community, and the results of your grant requests (and their subsequent acceptances or denials), but in order to have a real movement for good, your organization and its allies across the country have to be strategic, forthright, and transparent. Don\u2019t hide your mistakes; highlight them and the goals they were to achieve. Don\u2019t believe your good press; just do the work. Make sure your organization is diverse, equitable, and inclusive; and by inclusive, I mean race, gender, age (old and young), and everything else. Fire leaders guilty of abuse, criminality, or other fireable offenses; make your board deal with it quickly and publicly so as not to slow the pro-arts movement in any way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leadership in a movement is far less lonely than leadership of a single organization. Take advantage of that and create some positive momentum with lots of leaders. It\u2019s worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/501c3.guru\/scene-change\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"722\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kirkus-Review-ad.jpg?resize=722%2C1000&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1121\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kirkus-Review-ad.jpg?w=722&amp;ssl=1 722w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kirkus-Review-ad.jpg?resize=217%2C300&amp;ssl=1 217w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 722px) 100vw, 722px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Make sure you pick up several copies for your board &#8211; they could use the help!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ko-fi.com\/alanharrison\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"744\" height=\"394\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/image.jpeg?resize=744%2C394&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-840\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/image.jpeg?w=744&amp;ssl=1 744w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/image.jpeg?resize=300%2C159&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 744px) 100vw, 744px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Could you find a moment to buy me a cup of coffee? Maybe we can have one together, but first, click the cup.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The work to deprogram cultish minds is dangerous. Get help. Lots of it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1324,"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":[21,20,22,100,40,32,29,25,28,23,24,19,18,17,27,99],"tags":[55,85,10,50,103],"class_list":{"0":"post-1323","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-board-of-trustees","10":"category-book-recommendation","11":"category-change","12":"category-charity","13":"category-dei","14":"category-development-and-fundraising","15":"category-diversity-equity-inclusion","16":"category-executive-director","17":"category-freedom-of-speech","18":"category-leadership","19":"category-nonprofit","20":"category-nonprofit-arts-organizations","21":"category-philanthropy-and-donors","22":"category-scene-change","23":"tag-backlash","24":"tag-community","25":"tag-impact","26":"tag-nonprofit-management","27":"tag-war","28":"entry"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Trumpology-Center.jpg?fit=1401%2C779&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1517,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2025\/10\/07\/a-punchy-outspoken-argument-for-how-nonprofit-arts-organizations-should-be-run\/","url_meta":{"origin":1323,"position":0},"title":"&#8220;A PUNCHY, OUTSPOKEN ARGUMENT FOR HOW NONPROFIT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD BE RUN.&#8221;","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"October 7, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\"An example-driven new map to success in the realm of nonprofit theater.\" \u2014 Kirkus Reviews.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Arts and Culture&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Arts and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/category\/arts-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Scene Change, Scene Change 2, and Scene Change 3 - 3 books to improve your arts organization","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/3-book-titles.jpg?fit=1200%2C606&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/3-book-titles.jpg?fit=1200%2C606&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/3-book-titles.jpg?fit=1200%2C606&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/3-book-titles.jpg?fit=1200%2C606&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/3-book-titles.jpg?fit=1200%2C606&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1683,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2025\/12\/30\/scene-change-3-just-named-to-kirkus-reviews-25-best-indies-of-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":1323,"position":1},"title":"&#8220;SCENE CHANGE 3&#8221; Just Named to Kirkus Reviews&#8217; &#8220;25 Best Indies of 2025!&#8221;","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"December 30, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"If you're serious about succeeding as a nonprofit arts organization, you're going to want to pick up the trilogy at your favorite bookstore.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Arts and Culture&quot;","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\/12\/Scene-change-3-with-sky.jpg?fit=1200%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Scene-change-3-with-sky.jpg?fit=1200%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Scene-change-3-with-sky.jpg?fit=1200%2C640&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Scene-change-3-with-sky.jpg?fit=1200%2C640&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Scene-change-3-with-sky.jpg?fit=1200%2C640&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":415,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2023\/05\/23\/framing-art-why-do-nonprofit-arts-organizations-hire-managers-instead-of-leaders\/","url_meta":{"origin":1323,"position":2},"title":"Framing Art: Why Do Nonprofit Arts Organizations Hire Managers Instead of Leaders?","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"May 23, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Leadership is not the same as management. Are we teaching people in the nonprofit arts world how to be leaders or how to get a job as a manager?","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Arts and Culture&quot;","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\/04\/Helicopters-and-buggy-whips.jpg?fit=1200%2C807&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Helicopters-and-buggy-whips.jpg?fit=1200%2C807&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Helicopters-and-buggy-whips.jpg?fit=1200%2C807&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Helicopters-and-buggy-whips.jpg?fit=1200%2C807&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Helicopters-and-buggy-whips.jpg?fit=1200%2C807&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1302,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2025\/03\/05\/nonprofit-arts-success-in-a-changing-environment-tip-3-symbolism-is-cute-and-clever-and-futile\/","url_meta":{"origin":1323,"position":3},"title":"Nonprofit Arts Success in a Changing Environment, Tip 3: Symbolism Is Cute and Clever and Performative and Futile","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"March 5, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"You can change the minds of the armies of pseudo-populists, but only one at a charitable time. Simple satire won\u2019t cut it.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Arts and Culture&quot;","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\/02\/soup-protest1.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/soup-protest1.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/soup-protest1.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/soup-protest1.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":989,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2024\/07\/01\/this-just-in-a-new-and-unedited-review-for-scene-change\/","url_meta":{"origin":1323,"position":4},"title":"This Just In: A New (and Unedited) Review for \u201cSCENE CHANGE\u201d","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"July 1, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"\"It clearly comes from a place of love for the subversive and utopian possibilities of the arts.\"","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Arts and Culture&quot;","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\/2024\/07\/Collective-Ink-Book-Cover.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Collective-Ink-Book-Cover.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Collective-Ink-Book-Cover.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Collective-Ink-Book-Cover.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Collective-Ink-Book-Cover.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":764,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2024\/02\/20\/nonprofit-arts-organizations-just-land-the-mf-plane\/","url_meta":{"origin":1323,"position":5},"title":"Nonprofit Arts Organizations: Just Land the M*****F***** Plane!","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"February 20, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Stop. Land. Let the current passengers deplane. Start the conversations with your community leaders.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Arts and Culture&quot;","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\/fixing-the-plane-while-flying.jpg?fit=1200%2C709&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/fixing-the-plane-while-flying.jpg?fit=1200%2C709&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/fixing-the-plane-while-flying.jpg?fit=1200%2C709&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/fixing-the-plane-while-flying.jpg?fit=1200%2C709&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/fixing-the-plane-while-flying.jpg?fit=1200%2C709&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1323","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=1323"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1323\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1333,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1323\/revisions\/1333"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1324"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1323"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1323"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1323"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}