{"id":521,"date":"2023-08-29T00:01:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-29T00:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/?p=521"},"modified":"2023-08-25T19:54:16","modified_gmt":"2023-08-25T19:54:16","slug":"the-arts-nonprofit-and-otherwise-labor-strikes-and-the-real-issue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2023\/08\/29\/the-arts-nonprofit-and-otherwise-labor-strikes-and-the-real-issue\/","title":{"rendered":"The Arts (Nonprofit and Otherwise), Labor, Strikes, and the Real Issue"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Labor Day is not a marker for the end of summer; it\u2019s not about mattress sales; and it wasn\u2019t created as an excuse to break out the barbecue.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
(Public domain photo of 1919 Actors Equity Association Strike, New York, New York)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This will not be a history lesson. You can look up for yourself why Labor Day (or, alternatively, Labour Day) exists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, we won\u2019t talk about nonprofit arts organizations in 2023, except to say that many are signatories to union contracts for their workers. And, in a race to the expense bottom (following the lead of the corporate, profit-seeking members of their respective boards), they would rather cut costs than spend the personal capital it takes to raise funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We won\u2019t talk about the fact that national office of Actors\u2019 Equity Association (AEA) is currently not on strike, nor are the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA), the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), the Stage Directors & Choreographers Society (SDC), or the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). Nor will we mention that many of the members of AEA, AGVA, AGMA, SDC, and IATSE are also members of the Screen Actors Guild\/American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG\/AFTRA) or the Writers\u2019 Guild of America (WGA), the two unions that have caused most film and television production to shut down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
It’s not a bowl of alphabet soup, either. (Photo by Marie Buyens is licensed under CC BY 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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

We won\u2019t even discuss the fact that all of these labor unions are affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), the largest federation of unions in the United States and a supporter of the current work action against the studios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is not just a strike, something happening somewhere else. And most television- and movie-making is either godawful, spectacular, meaningful, boring, or some other adjective. Or all of the above. The shows are not the issue. The movies are not the issue. Even the viewing public is not the issue. Just as in the flailing, flopping, half-the-coffin-nails-hammered-in nonprofit arts sector, the art is not the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The real issue is this: what the hell are we doing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We work for many reasons. I subscribe to the notion that no one will probably ever know why we\u2019re on this particular planet, in this particular galaxy, or even in this particular universe, at least until the sun burns out in 4.5 billion years. I\u2019m Jewish, but not terribly interested in fairy tales that start \u201cIn a beginning\u2026\u201d<\/a> (which, to me, sounds a whole lot like \u201cOnce upon a time\u2026\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of that belief and the fact that I am a privileged American and have more time to engage in wonder than 90% or more of the people on the planet, I have a philosophy about work. Simplicity aside, the philosophy stands that all work is \u201cmake-work.\u201d Ultimately, unimportant but time-consuming tasks for which someone gets paid in order to pay someone else in order to pay someone else, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
(Photo courtesy of the Kheel Center, Cornell University Library, licensed under CC BY 2.0.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The best kind of work causes joy and passionate expression. The worst kind of work involves unfairness, inequity, bloodlessness, and repetition. Exactly the kind of work that best suits robots and other machines. And now, robots do, because it\u2019s cheaper, and that makes stockholders happy and want to buy even more stock and get even more wealthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In days not so far past, among faceless teams in construction, there was a pride attached to the placement and manufacture of each door, window, and wall. People who worked on a particular area of a skyscraper would point to an unseen window ledge 60 floors up and tell their friends that they were a part of that. Studs Terkel\u2019s book, Working,<\/em><\/a> dealt with the stories of just such people. These were workers who were happy and unhappy; crazed and bored; exhausted and hopeful; but most of all, they sought a seminal purpose. They needed something to do that paid the bills, sure, but in each case, their quest was for something to do that had meaning. Even if they had to invent the meaning where others might not have seen it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was a Broadway musical<\/a> created based on that book. Listen to the song \u201cSomething to Point to,\u201d by Craig Carnelia. I\u2019m sure you can find a copy somewhere. And if nothing else, for Labor Day, read the book<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is about a search for daily meaning as well as daily bread, for recognition as well as cash, for astonishment rather than torpor; in short, for a sort of life rather than a Monday through Friday sort of dying.\u201d <\/p>— Studs Terkel<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Two unions are on strike, hampering the studios\u2019 ability to churn out the cheapest versions of entertainment you will abide. The studios seek to lower costs by eliminating huge portions of the workforce and churning out work in less time. They want to increase the use of AI-related technologies, eliminating even more people from the workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

One such piece of technology is one a viewer might not even notice: the virtual elimination of extras. The studios, by report, want to pay an extra once, for one day of shooting, and then use that image in perpetuity. Maybe it\u2019s for the life of the movie. Maybe it\u2019s for the life of all movies. Literally thousands of people would lose piecework if that were to happen. Thousands of people will have to find something else to do, regardless of whether it has meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And life will become one step drearier and meaningless. And the rich get richer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who knows? I might not have the facts on that. I\u2019m only writing what others have reported. And who knows? Maybe by the time you read this, the strikes will be over. But on this day, Labor Day, let\u2019s remember that laborers should always, always, always<\/em> have the opportunity to point to a window, a taco, a performance \u2014 a something <\/em>\u2014 and feel like they have a purpose on this planet. Because purpose is a finite resource (especially when it comes to work) and there is nothing that can replenish it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n
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\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\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>.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re feeling generous or inspired, just <\/em>click on the coffee cup<\/em><\/a>. 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

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

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. CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER IN THE UNITED STATES<\/a>. If you live in the UK, CLICK HERE<\/a>. In other places, just use the ISBN code and your bookstore may be able to pre-order it for you: 978-1-80341-446-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few more copies may be made available for those booking conferences, reading engagements, and speaking engagements. Recruit your local bookstore, conference panel, or boardroom to get a visit from Alan<\/a>. Get on it!<\/strong> (Please.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let Alan know if you want bulk copies for your board<\/a>! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Labor Day is not about summer, mattress sales, or barbecues. What is it about?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":522,"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":[21,32,23,24,19,18,17],"tags":[72,73,75,76,74],"class_list":{"0":"post-521","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts-and-culture","8":"category-charity","9":"category-executive-director","10":"category-freedom-of-speech","11":"category-leadership","12":"category-nonprofit","13":"category-nonprofit-arts-organizations","14":"tag-labor","15":"tag-labor-day","16":"tag-sagaftra","17":"tag-wga","18":"tag-work","19":"entry"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/1919-Actors-Strike.jpg?fit=960%2C540&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":124,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2022\/12\/13\/a-nonprofit-arts-leaders-christmas-carol\/","url_meta":{"origin":521,"position":0},"title":"A Nonprofit Arts Leader’s Christmas Carol","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"December 13, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"To the tune of \u201cHere We Go A-Wassailing,\u201d to kick off your nonprofit holiday\u00a0season (with apologies to all)...","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\/2022\/10\/GTC-Holiday-letter.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/GTC-Holiday-letter.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/GTC-Holiday-letter.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":420,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2023\/05\/30\/for-nonprofit-arts-organizations-these-are-the-days-it-never-rains-but-it-pours\/","url_meta":{"origin":521,"position":1},"title":"For Nonprofit Arts Organizations, \u201cThese Are the Days It Never Rains But It Pours\u201d","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"May 30, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"In the nonprofit arts world, the bickering has reached a volume and constancy at which the foundation of support has been weakened to its core.","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\/04\/under-pressure.jpg?fit=1200%2C702&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/under-pressure.jpg?fit=1200%2C702&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/under-pressure.jpg?fit=1200%2C702&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/under-pressure.jpg?fit=1200%2C702&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/under-pressure.jpg?fit=1200%2C702&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":757,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2024\/02\/13\/nonprofit-arts-organizations-you-missed-the-point-again\/","url_meta":{"origin":521,"position":2},"title":"Nonprofit Arts Organizations: You Missed the Point. 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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":977,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2024\/07\/23\/last-of-the-summer-whine\/","url_meta":{"origin":521,"position":3},"title":"Last of the Summer Whine","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"July 23, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"If yours is an elitist organization whereby donors donate so that donors may attend, you have already chosen to take the low road, and the hillside rocks are crumbling, falling right on top of you.","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\/06\/421.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\/2024\/06\/421.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/421.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/421.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/421.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&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":521,"position":4},"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":1782,"url":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/2026\/04\/02\/doing-the-right-thing-with-nonprofit-arts-organizations-like-walking-in-high-heels-through-meat\/","url_meta":{"origin":521,"position":5},"title":"Doing the Right Thing With Nonprofit Arts Organizations: \u201cLike Walking in High Heels Through Meat\u201d","author":"Alan Harrison","date":"April 2, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"...while the attention to charity has evolved, the nonprofit arts behemoth class has not.","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\/Three-women-walking-in-high-heels-through-meat.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\/Three-women-walking-in-high-heels-through-meat.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Three-women-walking-in-high-heels-through-meat.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Three-women-walking-in-high-heels-through-meat.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Three-women-walking-in-high-heels-through-meat.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\/521","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=521"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/521\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":605,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/521\/revisions\/605"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/522"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=521"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=521"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.artsjournal.com\/scenechange\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=521"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}