{"id":1647,"date":"2026-02-26T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/?p=1647"},"modified":"2026-02-26T16:11:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T16:11:36","slug":"short-and-sweet-teachers-that-teach-teachers-that-educate-arts-nonprofits-that-produce-arts-nonprofits-that-are-worth-a-donation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"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\/","title":{"rendered":"Short and Sweet: Teachers : Educators :: Arts Organizations : Nonprofit Arts Organizations That Deserve Donations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Just because someone recites the curriculum doesn\u2019t mean anyone has learned it (Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

If you put a teacher at the front of a second-grade class and they declaim the entirety of the year\u2019s curriculum on the first day in one 7-hour monologue, are they a bad teacher or a bad educator?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or are they bad at all?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you put that same teacher in front of that same class and they teach one concept at a time, testing the students on comprehension of the concepts, but it takes 180 days in which to complete a school year\u2019s curriculum (instead of one), are they a bad teacher or a bad educator?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or are they bad at all?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do bad teachers and bad educators deserve a job? If a school habitually fails testing because of this kind of attitude toward students, does it deserve to be funded? Does its principal, who believes that testing is punitive and just getting the curriculum spoken out loud completes the contract the teachers have with their students, deserve that position?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do I really have to answer that for you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now let\u2019s put your nonprofit performing arts organization to the same test.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Does the mere production of art change its community for the better? Are you sure? (Photo by Valeria Costa from Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you produce a play but you don\u2019t ever find out if anyone got anything out of it that improved the community, are you a bad nonprofit organization that produces art or a bad nonprofit organization that produces community impact?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or are you bad at all?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you produce a play and present it to people in need, after which you not only delve into the issues of the play and how the themes and actions improve your community, but also actively lead a movement to reduce societal stressors, increase educational prowess (and test for success), and use your community connections to increase the power of this one movement, but it takes a year to build the snowball of change you desire and you have to spend resources that prove your worth, are you a bad nonprofit organization that produces art or a bad nonprofit organization that produces community impact?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or are you bad at all?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do bad artistic directors deserve a job? If an artistic director of a nonprofit arts organization habitually fails their community by creating seasons of programming meant to sell tickets but not to improve the community in tangible, charitable ways, does it deserve to be funded? Does its board chair, who believes that art is for those that can afford it, obsesses about the financial bottom line, neglects the community (except for their friends in high places), and believes that art is a product, not a tool, deserve that position?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do I really have to answer that for you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your nonprofit arts organization may be (barely) allowed to receive funding and a tax exemption, but does it deserve<\/em> any of that? Even if you\u2019re the big ol\u2019 flagship company in your town?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy shouldn\u2019t it?\u201d you may ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hold on to your hats: because real charities make communities better by taking on the issues that the taxpayers want them to tackle. <\/strong>Taxpayers love it when their nonprofits can help out the sick, build houses for the unhoused, or simply increase every student\u2019s educational success. Taxpayers hate it when rich people support themselves, which is the paradigm that large arts organizations insist on regurgitating (\u201cDonors donate so that donors may attend\u201d)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And before you roll your eyes into whiteness, remember that all nonprofits are charities.<\/strong> There is no other meaning; it\u2019s just the IRS\u2019s way of coding it. There is no such legal term as \u201cnon-commercial,\u201d \u201cpublic,\u201d or even \u201ccommunity-centered.\u201d That\u2019s all codswallop. There is only \u201cnonprofit,\u201d and that requires \u201ccharity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
This is what a housing nonprofit does. The result is dignity, fewer unhoused people, and a return to society for the underserved (Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The production of art is not charitable by itself.<\/strong> Thus, the production of art, without any charitable action, is not worthy of a donation. Inertia is the only reason most of the larger organizations are still in business \u2014 that and the intentional quashing, bashing, or reticence to empower the real <\/em>nonprofit organizations within their respective arts communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
This is what an arts nonprofit does. The result is a nice time for the folks who shelled out $200\/ticket. (And if you\u2019re charging $200\/ticket, why do you need donations?)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you believe that your art provides education to those who view it, prove it<\/em> like an educational nonprofit (like a university) does. Test, engage, and gather long-term data. If you believe that people receive long-term health benefits by viewing your art, prove it<\/em> like a heath nonprofit does. Test, engage, and gather long-term data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But hey, if you wanna put on plays, symphonies, exhibitions, operas, and ballets because you just wanna, all you have to do is get out of the nonprofit arts business. Go commercial. There you can do anything you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Short and sweet: be a nonprofit or don\u2019t. Pick a lane.<\/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 “Going Out Of Business” sales.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Thank you so much for reading all the way to the bottom. That takes a lot of patience. If you like what you read, would you please consider contributing to the coffee fund by clicking on the cup above these words? Or better, if you’re in Seattle, let’s have a cup together. My treat.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1648,"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":[21,20,22,100,40,32,29,25,28,19,18,17,99],"tags":[85,170,50],"class_list":{"0":"post-1647","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-leadership","17":"category-nonprofit","18":"category-nonprofit-arts-organizations","19":"category-scene-change","20":"tag-community","21":"tag-education","22":"tag-nonprofit-management","23":"entry"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/differential-calculus-2820672_1920.jpg?fit=1920%2C1280&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"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":1647,"position":0},"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":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":1647,"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":1567,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2025\/11\/04\/why-are-american-nonprofit-arts-organizations-failing-its-not-as-complicated-as-you-think\/","url_meta":{"origin":1647,"position":2},"title":"Why Are American Nonprofit Arts Organizations Failing? 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They are: Trust, Altruism, Social, Tax benefits, Egoism\/Narcissism, and Financial Constraints.","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\/09\/Ceci-nest-pas-le-rasoir-dOccam.jpg?fit=1000%2C667&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Ceci-nest-pas-le-rasoir-dOccam.jpg?fit=1000%2C667&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Ceci-nest-pas-le-rasoir-dOccam.jpg?fit=1000%2C667&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Ceci-nest-pas-le-rasoir-dOccam.jpg?fit=1000%2C667&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1352,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2025\/07\/25\/advocacy-for-the-nonprofit-arts-sector-is-currently-meaningless\/","url_meta":{"origin":1647,"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. 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