{"id":1517,"date":"2025-10-07T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/?p=1517"},"modified":"2025-09-18T06:01:01","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T06:01:01","slug":"a-punchy-outspoken-argument-for-how-nonprofit-arts-organizations-should-be-run","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2025\/10\/07\/a-punchy-outspoken-argument-for-how-nonprofit-arts-organizations-should-be-run\/","title":{"rendered":"“A PUNCHY, OUTSPOKEN ARGUMENT FOR HOW NONPROFIT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD BE RUN.”"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Pick up a copy of the Scene Change trilogy. Scene Change 3 just received its first review, and it’s a doozy. You’re going to want at least one for you and one for your board chair.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
If you pre-order, this should arrive in your mailbox on December 1. Earlier if you live in the UK. No idea if you live in Australia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

An example-driven new map to success in the realm of nonprofit theater.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat good is a program without results that show impact?\u201d <\/strong>asks theatrical director and producer Harrison, a 30-year industry veteran who\u2019s spent decades thinking about the essential questions people involved in nonprofit theater should be asking, such as, \u201cWhat can my nonprofit theater do today to make my community a measurably, quantifiably, and tangibly better place to live?\u201d In this latest installment of his Scene Change series, the author once again looks at various organizations that are pursuing what he views as the essential mission of community arts, which is to improve the community, using theater and other arts as means to that end. Harrison contrasts this vision of nonprofit arts organizations with the way they\u2019re too often seen by the people who run them as for-profit commercial enterprises in which box office revenue is the most important thing. In these pages, he first breaks down the logistics of how nonprofits work and should work, from the nuances of marketing to the nitty-gritty of IRS filings. The author then examines the working methods and cultural impact of some nonprofits that\u2019ve shaken off what he views as wrong-headed priorities and are both serving and challenging their communities. The Louisville Orchestra receives a good deal of attention, with Harrison noting that \u201cThe music is dynamic, contemporary, and bespeaks the lives of the people of the commonwealth in ways that cannot be adequately described as words on a page.\u201d He also discusses other programs, like Out of Hand Theater (\u201cthere is no better example of using theater as a tool for community impact\u201d) and Out of Hand\u2019s Creative Kids program (\u201cThey\u2019re not bussed to some fancy, frighteningly off-putting monument\u201d), in detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harrison is glowingly enthusiastic about all of this, the perfect ambassador for introducing the world of nonprofit arts to newcomers; he\u2019s also the perfect blend of cheerleader and tough-love coach for those already in the nonprofit world who may not be keeping their priorities straight (or may not quite know what those priorities should be). Harrison\u2019s prose reflects his expertise but is often light and humorous. He can sometimes get hung up on trivialities, as when he notes that, \u201cfor a real debate to happen and to expose local and American issues for what they are, it would have to include the niggling disagreements such as how close the word \u2018niggling\u2019 is to a vulgar one.\u201d But the author is refreshingly willing to ask hard questions about the realities of nonprofit art groups today, reminding readers that, in addition to their missions, nonprofits have their own rules and responsibilities. Harrison\u2019s analysis of the root of nonprofit problems\u2014he believes they too often devolve into entities to please big donors (which \u201cbegets toxicity among donors, executives, and board leadership, and provides an elitist barrier to participants\u201d)\u2014is astute and characteristically pulls no punches. The author is equally frank in addressing the social issues that affect community projects, including the Black Lives Matter movement and the Covid-19 pandemic. Anyone involved in the nonprofit arts world will gain immeasurably from reading this book (and its two enjoyably opinionated predecessors). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A punchy, outspoken argument for how nonprofit arts organizations should be run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 Kirkus Reviews, September 2025<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
\"Scene<\/a>
If you want your nonprofit arts organization to thrive, just pick up this inexpensive trilogy. If not, I can let you know how to throw a “Going Out Of Business” sale.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“An example-driven new map to success in the realm of nonprofit theater.” \u2014 Kirkus Reviews.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1423,"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":[21,20,22,100,40,32,29,25,28,23,19,18,17,27,99],"tags":[85,10,111,109],"class_list":{"0":"post-1517","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-leadership","18":"category-nonprofit","19":"category-nonprofit-arts-organizations","20":"category-philanthropy-and-donors","21":"category-scene-change","22":"tag-community","23":"tag-impact","24":"tag-louisville-orchestra","25":"tag-out-of-hand-theater","26":"entry"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/3-book-titles.jpg?fit=1200%2C606&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"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":1517,"position":0},"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 "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\/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":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":1517,"position":1},"title":"“SCENE CHANGE 3” Just Named to Kirkus Reviews’ “25 Best Indies of 2025!”","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 "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\/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":1048,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2024\/09\/17\/nonprofit-arts-organizations-whats-a-community\/","url_meta":{"origin":1517,"position":2},"title":"Nonprofit Arts Organizations: What\u2019s a \u201cCommunity?\u201d","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"September 17, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Say it, out loud. What is the definition of \u201ccommunity\u201d to your nonprofit arts organization? It may not be the community to which you claim membership.","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\/2024\/09\/inigo-square.jpg?fit=1000%2C864&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/inigo-square.jpg?fit=1000%2C864&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/inigo-square.jpg?fit=1000%2C864&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/inigo-square.jpg?fit=1000%2C864&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1640,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2026\/01\/06\/its-2026-oy-is-the-nonprofit-arts-sector-in-america-any-healthier\/","url_meta":{"origin":1517,"position":3},"title":"It\u2019s 2026. Oy. Is the Nonprofit Arts Sector in America Any Healthier?","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"January 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Now that it\u2019s 2026, the public expects its charities to be charitable \u2014 including your theater, opera, ballet, museum, and symphony.","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\/image-10.jpeg?fit=612%2C377&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-10.jpeg?fit=612%2C377&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-10.jpeg?fit=612%2C377&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":993,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2024\/09\/03\/scene-change-2-now-available-for-preorder\/","url_meta":{"origin":1517,"position":4},"title":"Scene Change 2 Now Available for Preorder","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"September 3, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"As a follow-up and companion to the book SCENE CHANGE, I have just completed SCENE CHANGE 2.","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\/2024\/08\/COVER-Art-Scene-Change-2.jpg?fit=778%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/COVER-Art-Scene-Change-2.jpg?fit=778%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/COVER-Art-Scene-Change-2.jpg?fit=778%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/COVER-Art-Scene-Change-2.jpg?fit=778%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1790,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2026\/04\/09\/traditional-news-and-nonprofit-art-youre-no-longer-in-charge-they-are\/","url_meta":{"origin":1517,"position":5},"title":"Traditional News and Nonprofit Art: You\u2019re No Longer in Charge. They Are.","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"April 9, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Here\u2019s another reason for nonprofit arts organizations to make that scene change toward charitable activities.","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\/2026\/02\/New-article-about-nothing1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/New-article-about-nothing1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/New-article-about-nothing1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/New-article-about-nothing1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/New-article-about-nothing1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1517","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=1517"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1517\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1519,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1517\/revisions\/1519"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1423"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1517"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1517"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1517"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}