Not-for-profit arts organizations struggled to survive the recent economic recession. In this increasingly hardscrabble environment; it is absolutely imperative that the boards of these organizations function as energetically; creatively; and efficiently as possible. Michael M. Kaiserrsquo;s personal history with boards of arts organizations began when he served on the board of the Washington Opera (now the Washington National Opera) in 1983. Today; in his capacity as president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Kaiser recently completed a 50-state; 69-city Arts in Crisis tour. Board issues came up repeatedly as central to the success or failure of the organization. Drawing on these and many other conversations; nationally and internationally; Kaiserrsquo;s book offers members of boards and staffs the information they need to create the healthy atmosphere necessary to thriving arts organizations. Organized in a clear; readable; question-and-answer format; Leading Roles covers every aspect of board participation in the life of the organization; including mission and governance; fundraising and marketing responsibilities; the relationship of the board to the artistic director; executive director; and staff; and its responsibilities for planning and budgeting. Kaiser addresses boards in crisis; international boards; and boards of arts organizations of color. Throughout; he emphasizes the importance of transparency and clarity in the boardrsquo;s dealings with its own members and those of the arts community of which it is a part; showing how anything less results in contentiousness that can immobilize an arts organization; or even tear it apart.
#1135742 in eBooks 2008-08-04 2008-08-04File Name: B004AE34U0
Review
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. good for culture interestedBy katvery interestingly written23 of 24 people found the following review helpful. Gans and SwirskiBy Lam Kam Ying MaryI dont want to belabour here the greatness of Ganss study: its an acknowledged classic and needs no further recommendation. But I would like to draw attention to a slightly less known study by Peter Swirski. called "From Lowbrow to Nobrow" (published about a year ago) which in many ways continues the line of inquiry spearheaded by Gans. As a matter of fact. Chapter 2 in "From Lowbrow to Nobrow" leans on Ganss book when it provides a thorough review (and a wonderful debunking) of a multitude of accusations raised against popular culture and popular fiction over the decades. Swirski tends to be more humorous and colloquial. and focuses mainly on literature and film. whereas Gans takes a more "wholistic" and sociological approach to popular culture. Otherwise. it is hard for me to decide which book I learned more from.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A propos Gans and SwirskiBy T. LaiI just want to say that i agree with the review above. I read both of these books. Gans Popular Culture and High Culture and Swirskis From lowbrow to Nobrow and i think both are great. they explore the same subjects. the are both easy and entertaining to read. and both pay a great deal of attention to sociological issues in contemporary culture. Naturally Swirski is more up to date and his perspective is a little broader. because he deals with aesthetics as well. but these two books are quite related. almost like two chapters of a much bigger book.
