October 13, 2005 | Read Time: 1 minute
The Art of Governance: Boards in the Performing Arts
edited by Nancy Roche and Jaan Whitehead
This book is written to help trustees of performing-arts organizations understand not only the practical responsibilities of their jobs, but also the artistic framework in which they work.
A collection of essays by scholars, artists, and nonprofit board and staff members, the book explores some of the issues that arts groups face, including the often-competing desires to encourage artistic creativity and financial security, and the need for artistic directors to work closely with executive directors. It discusses the performing-arts movement in the United States, and compares U.S. government support for the arts with government support for arts organizations in other countries.
Authors of the essays argue that advocacy is becoming an essential responsibility of trustees in the arts, and that board members have an obligation to understand the changing legal climate affecting nonprofit groups. The book also delves into the practice of board governance, covering board development, strategic planning, fund raising, and leadership transitions.
Publisher: Theatre Communications Group, 520 Eighth Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10018-4156; (212) 609-5900; tcg@tcg.org; http://www.tcg.org; 320 pages; $24.95; ISBN 1-55936-259-6.
