Most have heard by now that tomorrow is my last day working at YPC. Many mixed feelings and the type of "change" that breeds trepidation but will likely yield some freedom and new possibilities. I have been to numerous conferences and panels about the downward spiral of the nonprofit world and I have to say I feel the pain of it mightily. All these great arts organizations that planted seeds in the 70s and 80s are now hitting their mid-life crises and the path to success has been far less frequent than hoped.
This excellent article in the Atlantic by Jonathan Timm sums it up far better than I am able. It is called the Plight of the Overworked Nonprofit Employee. Just as in the 1%, there is a huge disparity gap between the arts organizations that have become "institutions" and the other 90% who run on grunt work, will power and a worker bee hive of employees. It also alludes to an ironic gap between the core values of these groups vs. the way their own staffs are treated. It then points to how this leads to bizarre and unproductive decisions. This will be my 2nd job that has left me with mixed feelings. It becomes about treading water than actually moving forward. And it is ALWAYS at the sacrifice of the very manpower that is at the front of said organization. One conference last year called it the Hunger Games of Non Profits.
Atlantic article
Give the article a read if you so desire. For me it is nothing that surprises or enlightens. Just that once you get OFF the merry-go-round and acclimate from the dizziness, your vision becomes a bit clearer with hindsight. I'm going to think very wisely before I jump back on board that ride.
What's next?
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