The arts in a time of famine

Almost every large and small arts organization is challenged these days to find a way to remain financially afloat.The old model for non-profit survival is just that---old. The days when a good idea or demonstrated need automatically drew the support of wealthy patrons and foundations, is rapidly eroding in the face of sharp drops in the financial markets. Government grants are being sharply cut as cities, counties and state governments face gigantic deficits, even bankruptcies.Of course, none of this is news, because we have all been living with financial upheaval for months, but the effects of the recession have now begun to reach even the most senior, established, nonprofit organizations.The most familiar song of do-gooders is "Who can I turn to?", when literally everyone seems needy. The answer is simple but difficult to embrace. Now is the time when we must turn to our own creativity and heighten our own passion for the causes to which we have individually committed our support.Let's take the example of the nonprofit arts. These days, it is difficult to reach through the tangled trio of life-or-death necessities: hunger, housing and health care, to fight for dollars to fund arts organizations. Yet I believe we must do so, because life without the arts lacks zest and joy.When we are at the depth of despair, it's often a film, a concert in the park, a family day at the museum or a sax man's performance on a downtown street corner that lifts our spirits, helping us to exhale as we take one more step on the heavy-laden paths of our lives...There is no debate about the priority of basic human services over the arts; in a time of famine, people need to eat. But should people without disposable financial resources be sustained only with food for the body, and never be nourished by food for the soul?That is where our creativity and passion come into play.First, arts organizations need to realize that we have entered a new day and second, they should not feel ashamed about doing whatever it takes (within reasonable ethical boundaries) to help their organizations to survive. What's the best way to raise funds in today's economic environment? Is it raffling a house, auctioning a painting , or hosting a fundraising house party? It's important for large and small arts organizations to stay alive until the advent of better times. Finally, I believe that passion is the magic ingredient that will keep non-profits both vital and dynamic. Even a small group of true believers can help an organization attain sustainability, especially in these difficult times.So, I am convinced that it's time to throw out the old formulas, while maintaining a vigilant lookout for the next hot idea on the horizon, anything that might help to keep our communities rich with goodwill and good works--works of art, that is...