I just tripped over this blog by Alan Harrison, that is hosted on the artsjournal website. I found his provocative writing interesting because he shares a perspective with me –that within the not for profit theatre sector, many companies put a priority on their own growth, over serving the needs of their Community.
"The difference between artists and arts organizations, as discussed in the books Scene Change and Scene Change 2, is that artists make magic and arts organizations make money. Nonprofit arts organizations, which are supposed to be different in nature than commercial art (but, so often, choose to believe that the presentation of art is somehow a charitable activity – it is not), have made the error in judgment to produce as their commercial counterparts would.
They measure their success not by how much better the community is — in either social service, community activism, social justice initiatives, or just helping out poor people — but by reviews from the press, ticket sales, and all the wealthy donors’ names on the walls. Vainglory doesn’t come close to describing the idea that an “artistic vision” somehow is a charitable goal, but pulling people out of despair is not. And, as we’ve stated on numerous occasions, that’s why the money is drying up.
To nonprofit arts organization leaders: stop blaming the pandemic. Stop blaming the audiences. Stop blaming everyone else. Look straight in the mirror, even if you inherited the dysfunction.
...artists: try to understand that you are more important to your community than the organization that may or may not hire you for a job. You have more leverage than you think. When other companies have chosen the path of community-centrism, they have provided more artists jobs than ever. Nonprofit arts organizations that do work that improves the community generally are happier and more fulfilling places to work than a simple gig could offer. And the need is constant for creative ways to solve your community’s biggest problems.
To put it another way: if all the nonprofit arts organizations were to close in your community, who would suffer? In the short term, a lot of people, including artists. In the long term, artists would find ways to team up, collaborate, and use their skill sets to create art in response to the community, not in spite of it.
If all the artists in a community were to suddenly leave, who would suffer? Everyone. There is no community without creativity. There is no business without creativity. And, of course, there is no art without creativity. Take advantage of that. As an artist, you deserve to be heard."
Co-founder - BVO / Founder - Champion the Cause / Podcaster - Champions of the Lost Causes / Advocate - Mid-South Coliseum
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