Scene Change : Why Today’s Nonprofit Arts Organizations Have to Stop Producing Art and Start Producing Impact Paperback / softback

Nonprofit arts organizations have to place nonprofit ahead of arts in order to thrive in these pre-post-pandemic days.

Most currently don’t. Scene change is a phrase tied to the arts when discussing a literal change from one scene in a play to another, eliciting a new time, place, and situation.

Here, however, it refers to actions made at this pivotal moment within the entire sector, where the rules that went into play over half a century ago can no longer apply for the arts to serve their nonprofit purpose.

That charitable purpose -- to help those who need the help -- cannot exist in an environment of privilege, exclusivity, and the subjective concept of excellence.

Excellence does not put food on a hungry person’s table, if they even have a table.

In his brilliantly unpretentious, snarky, and hilarious style, Alan Harrison pulls no punches.

He identifies and addresses elitism, defines and defuses toxicity, and provides outlines for success, including a hopeful prediction for the future.

This book also provides context for the pinball journeys of a 30-year adventure, leading nonprofit arts organizations in America -- warts and all.