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If you’ve ever worked in a small arts nonprofit, you already know what it feels like to be Elphaba before she ever touches that broom—doing the impossible with no applause. Balancing rehearsals, fundraising, newsletters, social posts, and board reports feels a lot less like “running a theatre company” and more like trying to keep Oz spinning with bubble gum and borrowed glitter.

In the nonprofit arts world, we love to believe we’re above the fray. We tell ourselves we’re “neutral,” “inclusive,” “about the work.” But in the era of cancel culture, conscientious consumerism, and identity politics, well everything becomes political. Every logo, every color palette, every casting decision, every donor thank-you note says something. Are you saying what you mean to say? Or are you speaking so broadly that you’ve ended up saying nothing at all?

After several seasons observing the human species (and binging Third Rock from the Sun for inspiration), I’ve come to a groundbreaking realization: audience segmentation, as Earthlings practice it, is deeply flawed—but not useless.

As a quintessential GenXer, I’ve grown up immersed in a world of TV shows, iconic movies, and the comforting nostalgia of days gone by. I naturally see things in analogies—whether it’s comparing marketing strategies to “MacGyvering” a solution or drawing wisdom from The Breakfast Club or Ferris Bueller's Day Off . Today, however, the Marvel bug (definitely not Ant-Man!) has bitten me, and I hope you’ll forgive the inevitable puns and playful metaphors. If not—ah, well, such

But what happens when we balance empathy with insight—when we blend heart and head?

This week’s Marketing Moment comes from our friends in the for-profit world via Chief Marketer, and while the piece was written with retailers in mind, the takeaways are very relevant for those of us in nonprofit marketing—especially arts orgs working with small teams and tighter budgets.

If you’ve felt like your content has to be polished and hyper-produced to work… Threads says otherwise. This platform could be your new favorite sandbox to test messaging, repurpose existing content, or simply connect without the pressure of being “Instagram-perfect.”

Real inclusion isn't about throwing every identity into the picture—it’s about intentionally choosing who you are serving and designing experiences for them.

If your arts organization refuses to consider discounting packages, pay-what-you-will nights, or affinity group ticketing strategies, let me say the quiet part out loud: you are upholding exclusionary systems rooted in white supremacist culture. Full stop.

🚨 WARNING: Nostalgia marketing is a delicate art. One wrong move and you end up with a cringe-worthy campaign (looking at you, Burger King’s weird “hot pink 80s” rebrand). If you don’t want your audience hitting you with a hard side-eye like Whitley Gilbert in an argument, avoid these mistakes at all costs.

Don't miss out on the most loyal, event-attending, art-loving generation out there: Generation X.

If there’s one thing Gen X loves, it’s nostalgia. From Lisa Frank trapper keepers to blockbuster Friday nights, this is the generation that grew up watching Ross Geller yell, “PIVOT! PIVOT! PIVOOOT!” And honestly, if you’re not pivoting your marketing strategy toward them in 2025, you’re missing out on an audience with disposable income, a deep love for the arts, and a hunger for connection. So, how do you market to Gen X without making them feel like they’re trapped in a poo

Your arts organization is trying to increase attendance, boost donations, and attract a loyal audience. You’ve tried appealing to Millennials (who, let’s face it, are still drowning in student loans), and you’ve reached out to Boomers (who love the arts but aren’t necessarily engaging with new formats).

If marketing has ever made you whisper, I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Congratulations. You are running a nonprofit.

In the grand desert of nonprofit work, marketing often feels like an unrelenting sandstorm—shifting priorities, endless to-do lists, and the ever-present question: “What are we even posting this week?” A content calendar is your stillsuit, designed to conserve precious energy and keep you alive in the face of chaos.

By following this workflow, you’ve automated outreach, built engagement, and created a sustainable marketing pipeline—all in about 6-8 work hours.

Picture it. It’s 2025, and you’re a performing arts nonprofit with four part-time employees. You’re about to launch a world-premiere musical theater production for children, Papa’s Pagris. You have seven months until opening night, a tiny marketing budget, and about a million things on your plate. How do you get eyes on your pre-production efforts? And, most importantly, how do you get butts in seats?

We discussed how the way you tell a story shapes what people take away from it—and how nonprofits need to craft relatable, audience-centered stories to drive engagement. Now, let’s take it a step further. How do you bring your story to life so that it moves people to action?

Are you telling your story in a way that moves people to action, or are you just listing facts and hoping they resonate?

As an arts nonprofit, you want to increase visibility, attract donors, and engage your community. But with social media constantly evolving, how do you ensure your content gets seen?