Monroe County Bar Association’s Post

We asked this question today in our session “From Welcoming to Cooperation: Creating Spaces of Belonging and Purpose” at the Nonprofit Association of Washington. What becomes possible for you when you feel you belong? For our community? P.S. Music can be a great way to create spaces of belonging.

We share concern about changes to Arts Council England’s policies for regularly-funded organisations – new cautions about activity that is - done by individuals 'in a personal capacity' - 'overtly political or activist' - 'likely to be in breach of your funding agreement' As the Arts Council acknowledges, freedom of expression is essential for a thriving cultural sector in this country. So too is the 'arm's length principle' that ensures public money for the arts is given independently of government, allowing for pluralism and challenge. It has always been part of an artist’s job to question, disturb and be a thorn in the side of established ideas. The UK's tradition of arts funding follows an arms-length principle that is designed to interfere with that vital role as little as possible. The Charity Commission has robustly upheld charities' right to engage in political activity, even where this risks triggering controversy. We hope Arts Council England can do the same for those it funds, and be supported in this by the Government. We all benefit, as do the arts, from a more open and expressive democracy and society.

A current debate - what are your thoughts?

National Hug a Musician Day celebrates musicians and their contributions to art, culture, and emotional well-being. I can get on board with this since my wife is a musician. I hope that there is a National Hug a Singer day down the road. IYKYK. In the context of estate planning, this day underscores the value of supporting the arts and the creators behind it. Musicians often face unique financial and career challenges, making long-term planning and support vital for their stability. Through thoughtful estate planning, individuals can support music and musicians by establishing charitable trusts, donating to music-focused organizations, or even setting up scholarships for young musicians. Additionally, musicians themselves may benefit from estate planning strategies that protect their intellectual property and ensure that royalties and creative works provide for their loved ones and continue to inspire future generations.

Hello! 🎉 We at Benvenuti Arts have been supporting artists and small arts organizations for almost 10 years, focusing on practical, tactical fundraising and administrative services. It’s clear to us, after all of this time, that fewer financial resources does not equate to lesser work; smaller groups are often so focused on their communities that things like grant writing, donor cultivation, or financial planning must be deprioritized. We want to help, even if you don’t have the resources to work with us directly. It’s with that in mind that we are relaunching our communications channels! With a core value to be of service to the small and mighty arts organizations and artists out there, we will continue with our consulting and capacity building services while building out our public channels to also provide some practical tools to anyone who needs them. It is our hope that more groups can benefit, even if they are not our direct client. So if you are looking for: 📍 Industry articles along with our own thoughts, follow us here on LinkedIn. 📚 Practical tools and tips for arts administrators, as well as BA’s take on industry occurrences, check out our Blog.  📥 Monthly lists of upcoming grants, links to resources, and other advice targeted to small arts groups and independent artists, sign up for our monthly newsletter.  ♻ Snippets from our trainings and workshops, and features from our clients, follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Additionally, our Clients and Members receive monthly emails with insights and guidance just for them. 👯♀️ We want to keep this information simple, informative, and, above all, practical. Just like our work with clients, these tools only work if you are able to actually use them! So we hope you’ll engage, provide feedback, and share anything you feel was useful to you. We’ll see you online! 🎭 🔮 #benvenutiarts #fundraising #artsmanagement #IndieSpaceNYC #gallim #choralcameleon #developingartists #sozowithus #AlphabetRockers #BloomingdaleSchoolOfMusic #frigidnyc #kr3ts #forgottenfutures #btfa #concerttheatreworks #braataproductions

🌡 Let's talk VOLUNTEERS 👉 However big your Charity / Museum / Heritage organisation is, have you got the right insurance to deal with volunteer and employee issues that get a bit spicy?! 👍 The case in point in Brixham will no doubt highlight for all charities the need for a discussion on Employment Practices cover (and limits) at the very least. 📞 Talk to PIB Insurance Brokers for great advice and appropriate insurance cover to protect your management team. #charity #charityinsurance #museum #museuminsurance #heritageinsurance #employmentpractices #pib #protectmanagement

*** Announcement from The Rev *** Save the date, 20 November from 7 pm. After nearly a decade, I have made the heartfelt decision to close The Haven + London. Building this organization from the ground up has been a profound honour, and I cherish the relationships I've formed with trustees, PR, media, academics, mental health experts, and friends. Together, we transformed a vision into a mission, successfully pioneering support for creatives facing mental health challenges when few were addressing these issues. We have positively impacted hundreds of artists, conducted vital research, and established a 'Safe Space to Talk' with trained listeners for dialogue and prevention. Despite numerous challenges, including fundraising during tough times like the pandemic, our commitment never wavered. Even when I was faced with racial discrimination and bullying, my drive stemmed not from resilience alone but from love. While there have been tears, the joy we've experienced far outweighs them. Now, it's time for The Haven + to find a new spiritual home at St Martins in the Fields. Let me explain. Ten years ago, I met the Rev Dr Sam Wells, vicar at St Martin’s and we realised we share a very specific vision about what a church community is. It’s a place where everyone is welcome. It means opening the doors to all who need a place of safety, where we bring our whole selves; our creative imagination, our many voices, our strengths and frailties. As this chapter in our story has now come to an end, the essence of all that connects us remains intact. So now, I’m excited to explore together what the definitive ‘church of the open door’ looks like. The great doors of St Martin-in-the-Fields beckon us. Over the last ten years, The Haven + London has supported hundreds of artists, with their mental health, spiritual journey and pastorally. It has been heartbreaking to see the current changes in our country, have impacted the livelihood of many of those individuals. Forcing them out of work, and in some cases, into homelessness. The St Martin-in-the-Fields Trusts' 'Yes' Campaign, works for exactly those individuals. The campaign encompasses all areas of the work of St Martins, and a large area of this is homelessness. Another area is for emerging artists and musicians. With programmes set up for those immediately out of education, and with growing connections being created between London, Manchester and now the US, the importance of creating opportunities for the next generation of creatives, is at the centre of their mission. I look forward to seeing you, for an evening full of wonderful music and with dinner included! As for me, I am looking forward to seeing what the next chapter of my life looks like. As ever, 'The Rev.' https://lnkd.in/eRKAZyYF St Martin-in-the-Fields, London

I am challenged by the continuing assault on artists for the views they express in their work. In the case of comedians, such as Rob Schneider, the art is comedy and its performance. I understand that some people are offended, but as Rowan Atkinson of "Mr. Bean" fame said, "free speech without the right to offend is not free speech at all." People have the right to not like an artist's work. They have the right, as people did in this case, walk out of the performance. But forcing the hospital to apologize for booking the artist is a step too far - in my opinion. Instead, performances such as these are best used - if you are offended - as stages for public debate, not a demand for apologies or cancellations. We will be all better for it. Let's not focus on wars of culture, but rather identify problems and discuss solutions. Good art raises these questions - which is what Mr. Schneider did. https://lnkd.in/dKKUxebr

Check this out....and pleasssssssssssse don’t forget this is National Affordable Housing month…..as an Ambassador for PATH in support of homeless population, I am focused on sharing the facts about homelessness – “Most groups of color have higher rates of homelessness than their White counterparts—and, in some cases, far higher. Within the White group, 11 out of every 10,000 people experience homelessness. For Black people, that number is more than four times as large—48 out of every 10,000 people. Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders particularly stand out as having the highest rates, with 121 out of every 10,000 people experiencing homelessness. The racial and ethnic groups with the highest incidences of homelessness have extensive histories of experiencing oppression, including displacements from land and property and exclusions from housing opportunities. Effectively addressing homelessness will likely require invested partners to account for America’s history, and that history’s influence on current culture, policy, and practice.”…. I ask you to donate to our local nonprofit PATH, who is committed to offering support to the homeless population that face challenges of housing insecurity. Homelessness can and does impact everyone....….Here is the link to donate to PATH Giving Day on or before May 15th. Any and all donations are accepted, because together we can make a difference for the greater good of our community -- https://lnkd.in/gEHmtbkQ

Next month I am honored to be presenting to museum directors from the Oklahoma Museums Association. I have at least one other large state museums association also interested, so there seems to be a common thread here. I absolutely *LOVE* working with the association world! Reason being, I often have to speak in generalities as most in a general audience will have a wide range of interests related to risk, but when you speak to a specific industry or profession with very niche specific risks, it just allows for much greater focus and strategies to be offered. If you represent #associationmanagement for a professional #nonprofitorganization I'd love to have a conversation with you as there are many points of potential customization, not only for the obvious need, but for potential ongoing customization and even association branding. Certainly, it's worth a conversation. I know someone who can help. #defensebydesign #associations #nonprofitmanagement #conferencespeaker