Most of my work and writing over the past several years has focused on the failings of Australia’s arts, cultural and non-profit boards and governance models.
In addition to dozens of articles, panels, keynote speeches and vlog episodes on the subject, this has now led to a new book, which I hope to share with the world this year: Beyond ‘best practice’ boards: why (nearly) everything you think you know about governance is wrong.*
With trade publishers amongst those making mainstream news headlines for the fumbles and failures of their governing boards, it looks like self-publishing will be the best way to go. So I have launched an end of financial year fundraising campaign to support the book’s production costs for publication in 2026, including contributions towards editing, graphics, design, printing and/or distribution. You can find all the details on the Australian Cultural Fund website.
The subject of arts, cultural and non-profit governance is unsexy but urgent, niche but global, invisible but everywhere. It is applicable to all art forms, cultural practices and charitable purposes, and affects every single non-profit incorporated association, company, statutory authority or public owned company.
Primarily developed through the lens of Australia’s cultural sector, the book will be of interest to anyone who works with or for arts, cultural and other for-purpose organisations (which employ over 1.47 million Australians and engage hundreds of thousands of volunteer governors on their boards). Intended for general, non-academic readers, it will also be applicable to national and international charity and community sectors more broadly – as well as to many commercial businesses and companies governed by non-executive directors or boards.
We are all living, working or governing organisations through impossible, polycrisis times – which I know makes giving difficult (and asking for money inherently awkward). So I am so grateful to all those in a position to share or support this campaign.
Thanks to the Australian Cultural Fund, all grants, donations or publishing partnerships over $2 are fully tax-deductible.
More than 300 current and former board members, CEOs and cultural workers have contributed to this research to date. I could not have written this book without you all. You have my deepest and most sincere thanks.
AI policy
I am a concerned and conscientious objector to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. You can read more about my many objections in my recent piece on raining on the parade of generative AI in the arts (and everywhere else).
If you consume or use my work or writing, you can be sure that the creativity, labour and language that goes into it are my own. I do not deliberately use Al to research, generate or edit any part of my research, writing or publishing processes.
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I undertake the majority of my research, writing, advocacy and sector development work on a self-funded basis.
If you’d like the full versions, transcripts or archives of these rants, you can join me as an advocate, ally or accomplice for rethinking arts governance on Patreon from just $2.50/month.
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LARSEN | KEYS 