Leading Roles: 50 Questions Every Arts Board Should Ask

Apology

apology The concepts and ideas in this book have been developed over a twenty-five-year career in arts management. It is clearly not a scholarly work. There are no sources of information identified, no footnotes, and no index. I have stolen ideas liberally throughout my career from the many talented and thoughtful arts managers I have met and observed. I give them no formal credit in this book, but their contributions to this young field of arts management are invaluable. Many talented practitioners disagree with me on many of my answers to the questions included in this book. Any thoughtful board member will want to read other works on similar topics. No one can disagree that a healthy arts organization requires open channels between board, artistic staff, and executive staff. Although this book is primarily intended to help volunteer board members enjoy their governance roles, this necessitates addressing the key responsibilities of artistic leaders and executive directors, as well. Because of the question-and-answer nature of this book, I have repeated some information in several answers, so that the reader of an individual question gets a thorough response. I apologize for this repetition. Finally, it is far easier to communicate the challenges of being a good board member than the joy of participating in a fruitful endeavor that creates great beauty and enriches a community. While the requirements for creating and governing a successful arts organization are easy to delineate , they are not easy to implement. I have failed as often as I have succeeded. This book presents an ideal that is rarely achieved. Despite occasional failures, great art and education are still produced, and board members find great satisfaction in their involvement. I just want to make it easier, more fun, and more consistently rewarding. ...