Ethical lens #12. We need an ethical code for the performing arts. We were always on the precipice, but we've now begun the deep descent on the slippery slope. Last week at Carnegie Hall Keith Jarrett interrupted his performance on three occasions with snide criticism...
The Rutgers Institute for Ethical Leadership and Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation are pleased to announce that a new Rutgers Leadership Program selected six New Jersey arts professionals to be among the first class of a new training program designed to increase the diversity of the leadership...
In my role as a nonprofit compensation consultant and contract negotiator, I am usually retained by CEO's or boards to negotiate multi-year year, complex employment contract. Sometimes, I get a request for advice that, if I have time, I respond to. As you can see...
Ensuring outstanding management leadership is arguably the single most important responsibility of the nonprofit board. The CEO, more than any other person or group, manages the financial affairs and shapes the programmatic vision that keeps the organization solvent, accessible and relevant. Executive Summary Hiring a nonprofit CEO...
Holland Carter in his Museums and Morals essay in the New York Times conflates two important ideas about arts and ethics. However, while I agree with both, by doing so he mitigates the importance of each: His first thesis; there are dangers when corporations sponsor arts organizations or...
Recruiting and retaining a President is the major challenge facing the board of a zoo or aquarium. There are many factors that make the challenge even greater compared to a search for C-level executives in more traditional businesses; the zoo or aquarium board is responsible...
I am personally appealing to and challenging the arts leaders from underrepresented communities (that is, the communities that are not fully represented in the leadership of US arts organizations) to apply or nominate. The Certificate in Cultural and Ethnic Arts Leadership Program deadline is fast approaching and...
The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs has announced a new program to create a pipeline for arts professionals from diverse populations to management positions: the Cultural and Ethnic Arts Leadership Certificate Program. This in response to a study that demonstrates what everyone in the industry recognizes: the...
As we slog through the presidential election season, a familiar plaint is heard: "Where are all the good candidates? There seems to be so few acceptable choices." This is not a post about which party or which candidate is better for the country. It is...
Andy Horwitz, writing in the Atlantic, delivers a compelling argument about how the arts in America are funded and concludes that the federal government, because it has not adequately supported the National Endowment for the Arts, is contributing to the weakness of the culturally diverse and...
Funny and witty, yes; gram of truth, scarily so. US hospitals, universities and arts organizations benefit greatly from the generosity of the ultra wealthy (who are themselves subsidized by substantial tax advantages funded by all taxpayers). The $100 million naming gift was the best deal...
The nonprofit sector benefits from a diligent press. In my experience as a compensation consultant to nonproift organizations, press inquiries are usually thoughtful, fact-based and an important peg in the process of insuring a healthy and ethical sector. While I found this Wounded Warrior Project...
Forget that Bill Cosby is accused of so many egregious, and illegal acts. It's almost beside the point of this story. This is part of the parable about The Smithsonian yet again at sea, lost among the public relations turbulence without an ethical compass to...
Three Nassau Community College trustees who voted for former Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray as the school’s $151,000 a year interim general counsel had donated a total of nearly $10,000 to her previous political campaigns, state campaign finance records show. Trustees Anthony Cornachio, Edward Powers and John...
In my January 2nd post, “New Year’s Resolution” I promised the next post would be about the fourth option, starting your own consultancy, or "hanging out the shingle". As head of an ethics institute, and a man of my word, here goes ...
I am not one for making New Year's resolutions. But for those of you seeking a resolution to make, here it is: "This is the year I get a new job!" There are at least four options for you: A) a new, better job in your...
You've been on three interviews, done your homework on the company, even bought a new suit for the last interview with the search committee. Then you get the call: "we would like to make you an offer." You're elated, relieved, and grateful. But now what? There...
I am always surprised, and frankly disappointed, when I hear about a student who receives a job offer from an on-campus recruiter, accepts it and then decides to take a better offer, turning down the first offer/acceptance. It may seem to be to your advantage to...
There are at least three types of job openings: those that are listed in the "want-ads" of today - the list serves, job banks, idealist.com and the myriad other places; the jobs that have gone unfilled and are no longer listed or those where the...
I know no other entity, for profit, nonprofit, governmental, or religious, that better personifies the combination of great business, great art, sustainability, strong values and good spirit than the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. I was privileged to be part of the team of great dancers,...
The Institute for Ethical Leadership announces today a new certificate program designed to engage, encourage and enable arts professionals from underserved populations to become the leaders of major performing arts, visual arts, collections-based and ethnic arts organizations. According to James Abruzzo, co-director of the Institute and...
The Museum of the City of New York named a new Director and according to Judith Dobrinski, the announcement, (and other recent director announcements), ‘was curious and left people wondering’, because the new Director had no directorial experience. As an executive recruiter of some 30...
I wrote last time that the key to securing a position is the interview - not the resume. So, you spend time securing an informational interview and, once you do, spend a great deal of time preparing! Let's say you get 30 minutes with the person....
In my role as a headhunter I am often asked advice about how to get a new job. My last post suggested that it is not so much “what you know” as “who you know” when seeking a new job. And I recommended that you...
