{"id":362,"date":"2023-04-25T12:01:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-25T12:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/?p=362"},"modified":"2023-04-20T05:32:55","modified_gmt":"2023-04-20T05:32:55","slug":"nonprofit-art-and-the-tyranny-of-happiness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2023\/04\/25\/nonprofit-art-and-the-tyranny-of-happiness\/","title":{"rendered":"Nonprofit Art and The Tyranny of Happiness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong>Do taxpayers pay for your nonprofit arts organization to wrestle with artistic satisfaction or to make their community better?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Nervous-Smile.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-363\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Nervous-Smile.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Nervous-Smile.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Nervous-Smile.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Nervous-Smile.jpg?resize=1536%2C1025&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Nervous-Smile.jpg?w=1601&amp;ssl=1 1601w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In deciphering whether nonprofits, especially nonprofit arts organizations, deserve funding, acclaim, or zealous advocacy, there are a number of factors that we keep forgetting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first thing is that 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If money not earned is the same as money spent (and, in effect, it is), then you and I pay for every nonprofit in the US. (If you\u2019re not in the US, I\u2019m thinking it\u2019s the same, but your results may differ.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nonprofits are, by definition, exempt from paying some taxes. The government and the communities in which nonprofits do their work have made a deal that, according to them, there is a great deal of value created by investing in corporations who do the kind of work that either cannot or do not show a profit. In doing so, the American public has made a decision that the money not collected in taxes from nonprofit corporations\u2014the \u201cmoney not earned\u201d\u2014is worth the \u201cmoney spent.\u201d If they did not deem it worthy of nonprofit status, taxes would be collected from that company and redistributed back to all those things for which taxes pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On top of that, money donated to nonprofits qualifies for a tax write-off for most Americans. The level varies based on each taxpayer\u2019s earnings that year, but that is also money that is not going to the treasury for redistribution. Two buckets of money \u201cnot earned,\u201d and therefore, \u201cspent\u201d by taxpayers for nonprofits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"288\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/charity-flow-chart.png?resize=1024%2C288&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-364\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/charity-flow-chart.png?resize=1024%2C288&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/charity-flow-chart.png?resize=300%2C84&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/charity-flow-chart.png?resize=768%2C216&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/charity-flow-chart.png?w=1477&amp;ssl=1 1477w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t take this the wrong way. It\u2019s worth it. For the most part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All this boring money talk leads to the obvious question: \u201cSpecifically, what is that value being created?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nonprofit arts organizations, as a whole, don\u2019t offer the answer, at least according to the IRS. If the IRS were ever to audit arts organizations as to their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/charities-non-profits\/charitable-organizations\/exemption-requirements-501c3-organizations\">adherence to the code<\/a>, they might rescind the nonprofit status of most, if not all, of the largest institutions. A lot of the medium and small ones, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some arts and foundation leaders might offer this idea: engaging people in the arts makes them happier. Or at least has the power to make people less unhappy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cArt should be a form of therapy, which should be understood broadly as an aid to living and dying.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2014Alain de Botton, Author, Art as Therapy<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Do arts organizations, in fact, make us happy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Come-on-Dear-We-have-tickets-to-Long-Days-Journey.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Come-on-Dear-We-have-tickets-to-Long-Days-Journey.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Come-on-Dear-We-have-tickets-to-Long-Days-Journey.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Come-on-Dear-We-have-tickets-to-Long-Days-Journey.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Come-on-Dear-We-have-tickets-to-Long-Days-Journey.jpg?w=1300&amp;ssl=1 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Happiness is an underrated emotional state, mostly because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/mindfulness-wellbeing\/201603\/why-is-happiness-fleeting\">it is fleeting<\/a>. People generally experience a blissful happiness based on an event and when that event has moved far enough into the past, the bliss wanes. Dopamine is released when a luscious bite of chocolate is plopped into the mouth (if you like chocolate, of course). A few minutes later, that jolt of happiness has disappeared, although the memory of it remains. This is why people take pictures of their dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>But is there a tyranny to happiness? Must we be happy or die trying?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Certainly, the advertising community believes so. Selling the bliss of that particular brand of chocolate brings money to that chocolatier. Taking it several steps further, the advertisers might have you believe that there can be no happiness <em>without<\/em> that chocolate. This raises three questions for your nonprofit arts organization:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" type=\"1\">\n<li>Does it, in a sense, sell happiness?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does it, in a sense, <em>provide <\/em>happiness?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If happiness is not the goal, what is?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>There are specific things in life that make some people happy, some people anxious, and some people ambivalent. \u201cSchool\u201d is an example, and it tends to engender a pretty sticky emotion. Schools and nonprofit arts organizations have always emphasized the idea that the more you know, the more you\u2019ll be happy. Both institutions contextualize life for the user (the student\/audience).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"820\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Beverly-Vista.jpg?resize=1024%2C820&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Beverly-Vista.jpg?resize=1024%2C820&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Beverly-Vista.jpg?resize=300%2C240&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Beverly-Vista.jpg?resize=768%2C615&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Beverly-Vista.jpg?w=1400&amp;ssl=1 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Does this photo of an elementary school make you happy, anxious, or ambivalent?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>But that notion doesn\u2019t prove out with <a href=\"https:\/\/news.yale.edu\/2020\/01\/30\/national-survey-students-feelings-about-high-school-are-mostly-negative\">the data.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn a nationwide survey of 21,678 U.S. high school students, researchers from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and the Yale Child Study Center found that nearly 75% of the students\u2019 self-reported feelings related to school were negative.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Follow the bouncing yellow school bus:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\ude8c Kids take the bus to school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\ude8c 3 out of 4 don\u2019t like school. They\u2019re not all that keen on the bus, either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\ude8c A bus takes them on a field trip to a concert hall, playhouse, or museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\ude8c Afterwards, they take the bus back to school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\ude8c Later, they take the bus home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arts experiences, to them, are a school activity, not something someone would choose to do on their own, let alone pay for the privilege. It is no wonder, then, that when they become adults, most Americans tend to stay away from live arts performances and exhibits. To most, it\u2019s school. If you\u2019re in the 25% that liked school, you\u2019re likelier to attend. Otherwise, it\u2019s an activity for kids only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To these adults, attending an arts event can feel more like an obligation, rather than a chance to experience cultures, ideas, and points of view. It is neither a path to happiness nor is it a particularly pleasant sense memory. Ultimately, only the most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-4136760\">self-actualized<\/a> choose to attend unless there is a personal connection to the art (have a friend in the cast\/orchestra, they are performers\/artists themselves, etc.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tyranny of happiness makes us believe that when we\u2019re not happy, we\u2019re failing. Where\u2019s that dopamine kick?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just like ads for chocolate, nonprofit arts organizations offer themselves up as products of happiness. The problem is, as we\u2019ve seen from childhood to adulthood, they\u2019re not. 75% of the population fears boredom at an arts event, just as they felt boredom in their version of school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"707\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/woman-eating-chocolate.jpg?resize=1024%2C707&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/woman-eating-chocolate.jpg?resize=1024%2C707&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/woman-eating-chocolate.jpg?resize=300%2C207&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/woman-eating-chocolate.jpg?resize=768%2C530&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/woman-eating-chocolate.jpg?w=1400&amp;ssl=1 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>What would happen if arts organizations stopped selling tickets, instead depending wholly on contributions (like every other nonprofit)? What if they brought in families instead of children? Better yet, what if they brought art to neighborhoods that have been forgotten, free of charge to those communities in their region?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How can your nonprofit arts organization change the conversation away from the insane drive for happiness that, when unreached, devolves into depression? Or worse, dispassionate boredom? What tactics can change the equivalence between \u201cschool\u201d and \u201cart,\u201d so much so that frequency issues\u2014garnering a customer base that seeks multiple experiences from a single organization, or at least from several community organizations? How can we influence decision-makers that nonprofit arts organizations do help the underserved, rather than act as tools of declamatory pontification?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Answer those questions well and there\u2019s not a taxpayer in this country that would begrudge being forced to pay for your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"58\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Line-Flourish-2.png?resize=1024%2C58&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-73\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Line-Flourish-2.png?resize=1024%2C58&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Line-Flourish-2.png?resize=300%2C17&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Line-Flourish-2.png?resize=768%2C44&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Line-Flourish-2.png?w=1174&amp;ssl=1 1174w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ko-fi.com\/alanharrison\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/buy-me-a-coffee-for-bottom-of-articles.jpg?resize=538%2C287&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-60\" width=\"538\" height=\"287\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><p><em>Based in Kirkland, Washington, <\/em><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/501c3.guru\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Alan Harrison<\/em><\/a><em> 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><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"mailto:alan@501c3.guru\" target=\"_blank\"><em>alan@501c3.guru<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p><em>If you\u2019re feeling generous or inspired, just <\/em><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/ko-fi.com\/alanharrison\" target=\"_blank\"><em>click on the coffee cup<\/em><\/a><em>. 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<p><em>Alan is always looking for good opportunities to write and consult for nonprofits that need a hand. And, of course, that elusive <\/em><strong><em>Perfect Opportunity\u2122.<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"58\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Line-Flourish-2.png?resize=1024%2C58&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-73\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Line-Flourish-2.png?resize=1024%2C58&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Line-Flourish-2.png?resize=300%2C17&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Line-Flourish-2.png?resize=768%2C44&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Line-Flourish-2.png?w=1174&amp;ssl=1 1174w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.elliottbaybook.com\/item\/WepMITbQuyd1Ad_8fzXNLQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/COVER-ART-for-ArtsJournal.jpg?resize=370%2C571&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-329\" width=\"370\" height=\"571\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/COVER-ART-for-ArtsJournal.jpg?w=648&amp;ssl=1 648w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/COVER-ART-for-ArtsJournal.jpg?resize=194%2C300&amp;ssl=1 194w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 370px) 100vw, 370px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>BIG NEWS: Alan\u2019s new book, \u201cScene Change: Why Today\u2019s Nonprofit Arts Organizations Have to Stop Producing Art and Start Producing Impact\u201d will be published in January. <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.elliottbaybook.com\/item\/WepMITbQuyd1Ad_8fzXNLQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER IN THE UNITED STATES.<\/strong><\/a><strong> If you live in the UK, <\/strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.johnhuntpublishing.com\/changemakers-books\/our-books\/scene-change-nonprofit-organizations\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>CLICK&nbsp;HERE<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Alan will be speaking on May 19 at the <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/nonprofitwa.org\/washington-state-nonprofit-conference\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Washington State Nonprofit Conference<\/strong><\/a><strong> at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Tacoma, WA. The publisher has pre-printed a LIMITED NUMBER of books so that attendees can purchased a signed copy right there at the event.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A few more copies may be made available for those booking conferences, reading engagements, and speaking engagements. Recruit your local bookstore, conferenc<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":363,"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":[21,40,32,19,18,17],"tags":[53],"class_list":{"0":"post-362","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts-and-culture","8":"category-change","9":"category-charity","10":"category-leadership","11":"category-nonprofit","12":"category-nonprofit-arts-organizations","13":"tag-happiness","14":"entry"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Nervous-Smile.jpg?fit=1601%2C1068&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"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":362,"position":0},"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 &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\/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":[]},{"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":362,"position":1},"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":764,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2024\/02\/20\/nonprofit-arts-organizations-just-land-the-mf-plane\/","url_meta":{"origin":362,"position":2},"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":[]},{"id":1352,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2025\/07\/25\/advocacy-for-the-nonprofit-arts-sector-is-currently-meaningless\/","url_meta":{"origin":362,"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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But for humongous nonprofit arts organizations that still can\u2019t figure out why funding\u2026","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\/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":1079,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2024\/11\/05\/why-does-transforming-a-country-of-donwanus-takes-just-as-much-effort-than-transforming-a-nonprofit-arts-industry-of-donwanus\/","url_meta":{"origin":362,"position":4},"title":"Why Does Transforming a Country of D\u014dnW\u00e4n\u00fcs Take Just as Much Effort Than Transforming a Nonprofit Arts Industry of D\u014dnW\u00e4n\u00fcs?","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"November 5, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Today is election day. 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