Evergreen lessons for troubling times
On this Election Day 2025, as we reflect on what the second Trump term has already done to our country, I’m also reflecting on my master’s thesis—the final step in pursuing an MA in Arts Management.
I recently re-read what I wrote and was surprised by how applicable it was to the work I do today across the nonprofit sector.
In the paper, I examined three local productions of the play “Angels in America” by Tony Kushner. Back in the late ’90s, “Angels” was a target of suppression for its gay themes and depictions.
In each production I examined, members of the respective local community had punished the producing organization in some way — protests, funding cuts, personal attacks on staff, you name it. It was bad.
My task was to glean from these cases how theaters and other arts organizations might prevent controversy from showing up at their doors, and how to manage it when it does.
Of the eight lessons I presented in the final chapter of my thesis twenty-five years ago, here are three that resonate today, in light of the attacks on colleges, universities, and other nonprofits across the country:
1. Full disclosure about the nature of a controversial play not only informs potential audiences, it also alerts potential protesters.
The way I think about this now is, in a word, values.
When you inform the public about your institution’s values, not everyone will appreciate them.
And that’s the point.
Detractors will get upset and might even attack your organization in some way. But, you’ll also deepen your bench of like-minded supporters.
2. It is important for arts presenters to unite and advocate for each other.
Still true, no matter what nonprofit industry you’re in.
No organization needs to go it alone in the face of the funding cuts, policy changes, or even just blatant lies that the federal government is currently doling out.
Team up or participate in the work of a larger organization, like the National Council for Nonprofits.
Also, don’t forget about the power of activating your supporters—not just as donors, but as advocates.
3. Arts organizations must make advocacy as important as fundraising or marketing.
If I knew then what I know now, much farther into my career, I would have written it this way:
Make it a priority to understand and clearly convey your organization’s impact.
When you can communicate clearly and compellingly about transformational change, you create the foundation for advocacy.
It’s not that your organization fed 100 people.
It’s that those people didn’t have to worry about where their next meal was coming from, so they were able to go to the job interview, get back on their feet, support themselves and their families, and contribute to the economic vitality of their community.
In this era of attacks on nonprofits of every stripe, it is vital to know your organization’s values; advocate for them through meaningful stories of impact and transformation; and team up with others to create strength in numbers.
The sector depends on you.