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Mission Grammar for Nonprofit Arts Organizations: Flick the Prepositions and Cut the Nonsense
Mission Grammar for Nonprofit Arts Organizations: Flick the Prepositions and Cut the Nonsense
Your community requires “Why,” not “How” — and the slogans have got to go.
Alan Harrison
May 28
For Live, Functioning Artists, The End Comes Not With a Bang, But an Email
For Live, Functioning Artists, The End Comes Not With a Bang, But an Email
In the never-ending, fruitless search for economy, actors are being replaced by algorithms
Alan Harrison
May 21
Nonprofit Arts Organizations: Water Is Wet.
Nonprofit Arts Organizations: Water Is Wet.
Incidentally, it’s my birthday today. So, hey — I have the perfect gift all figured out. Just click on any image you see…
Alan Harrison
May 14
Nonprofit Arts Success: Out of Hand Theater Shakes the Trees of Social Justice
Nonprofit Arts Success: Out of Hand Theater Shakes the Trees of Social Justice
And they’re changing Atlanta for the better every minute.
Alan Harrison
May 7
Behold LO: The Louisville Orchestra Walks the Walk of a Nonprofit Arts Organization
Behold LO: The Louisville Orchestra Walks the Walk of a Nonprofit Arts Organization
Bourbon, bats, and basketball. Mint juleps, fast horses, and “Keep Louisville Weird.” Muhammad Ali, Jennifer Lawrence, and Mitch McConnell…
Alan Harrison
Apr 30
The Mellon Foundation Did a Nice Thing. Next Time, Look at Where the Action Is.
The Mellon Foundation Did a Nice Thing. Next Time, Look at Where the Action Is.
If the Mellon Foundation would start to look at the next-level budgets, they’ll find transformation is the purview of better-run…
Alan Harrison
Apr 23
Art Doesn’t Need to Be Served. People Do.
Art Doesn’t Need to Be Served. People Do.
The Mellon Foundation ALMOST got it right for nonprofit arts leadership in the 2020s.
Alan Harrison
Apr 16
Useful Idiots, Harmless Kitsch, and Nonprofit Arts Organizations Doing the Right Thing, No Matter…
Useful Idiots, Harmless Kitsch, and Nonprofit Arts Organizations Doing the Right Thing, No Matter…
A two-part column about you, your nonprofit arts company, and the power of your choices
Alan Harrison
Apr 9
Useful Idiots, Harmless Kitsch, and Nonprofit Arts Organizations Doing the Right Thing, No Matter…
Useful Idiots, Harmless Kitsch, and Nonprofit Arts Organizations Doing the Right Thing, No Matter…
A two-part column about you, your nonprofit arts company, and the power of your choices
Alan Harrison
Apr 2
The Con Is On — Raising Emergency Money at the Expense of Everyone Else Is Not a Heroic Act
The Con Is On — Raising Emergency Money at the Expense of Everyone Else Is Not a Heroic Act
Especially when you leave the premises just before the devastation and claim victory
Alan Harrison
Mar 26
Nonprofit Arts Marketing — Drive for Image First; The Road to Revenue Follows
Nonprofit Arts Marketing — Drive for Image First; The Road to Revenue Follows
Or, Drive for Money First; The Road to Oblivion Follows
Alan Harrison
Mar 19
You Cannot Be Serious
You Cannot Be Serious
Sackler Donations Are Back… And No, That’s Not Good News
Alan Harrison
Mar 12
Nonprofit Arts Leaders: One Final Note About the Upcoming War
Nonprofit Arts Leaders: One Final Note About the Upcoming War
…until, of course, the catalyst event happens, at which point you’ll probably think to yourself, “How did Alan know?”
Alan Harrison
Mar 5
War Is Coming. You ready?
War Is Coming. You ready?
This is not a metaphor. Real war. In the nonprofit arts sector, it will force you to act.
Alan Harrison
Feb 27
Nonprofit Arts Organizations: Just Land the M*****F***** Plane!
Nonprofit Arts Organizations: Just Land the M*****F***** Plane!
Changing direction is hard enough. Changing while continuing to not change is ridiculous.
Alan Harrison
Feb 20
Nonprofit Arts Organizations: You Missed the Point. Again.
Nonprofit Arts Organizations: You Missed the Point. Again.
Yes, you’re a nonprofit. Big deal. Like tennis, if you don’t serve well, it’s your fault.
Alan Harrison
Feb 13
Your Addiction to Artistic Vision Means Diddly-Squat to Your Community
Your Addiction to Artistic Vision Means Diddly-Squat to Your Community
But let’s tax poor people anyway and send the money to nonprofit arts organizations instead of direct aid to artists.
Alan Harrison
Feb 6
All This and World War III
All This and World War III
For nonprofit arts organizations (and society at large), it’s all the rage
Alan Harrison
Jan 30
Artists Don’t Need Vanity-Led Arts Organizations to Make Your City Grow
Artists Don’t Need Vanity-Led Arts Organizations to Make Your City Grow
Nonprofit arts organizations that refuse to tend to the un-served among us just bolster the elitism epithets, deservedly so. But artists…
Alan Harrison
Jan 23
Yes, Arts Organizations CAN Show Charitable Impact
Yes, Arts Organizations CAN Show Charitable Impact
If they can do it, your nonprofit arts organization can do it.
Alan Harrison
Jan 16
54 Percent and Nonprofit Arts Organizations
54 Percent and Nonprofit Arts Organizations
Sustainability is boring. It’s risk-averse. It asks you to improve your impact rather than win. It’s a lousy way to run a ballclub. It’s…
Alan Harrison
Jan 9
Nonprofit Arts Organizations: In 2024, There’s Going to Be a Lot of Noise. Take Advantage.
Nonprofit Arts Organizations: In 2024, There’s Going to Be a Lot of Noise. Take Advantage.
Take the time to understand that your art is not your company’s product. Impact is, whether you want it to be or not.
Alan Harrison
Nov 28, 2023
The Cure-All for Nonprofit Arts Organizations Doesn’t Exist
The Cure-All for Nonprofit Arts Organizations Doesn’t Exist
Too many variables cause irrational solutions, especially where impact is involved.
Alan Harrison
Nov 21, 2023
Immediacy: Not One of The Great Attributes of the Nonprofit Arts Community
Immediacy: Not One of The Great Attributes of the Nonprofit Arts Community
What’s more important: putting voice to the works directly affecting your community right now? Or doing that thing you promised you’d do a…
Alan Harrison
Nov 14, 2023
C’mon, Now. It’s Not the End of the World for the Nonprofit Arts Sector.
C’mon, Now. It’s Not the End of the World for the Nonprofit Arts Sector.
Blame arrows are rampant in boardrooms, newsrooms, and rehearsal rooms. Blame is meaningless. The solution is obvious. You just have to…
Alan Harrison
Nov 7, 2023
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