The Truths About Starting (& Leaving) An Arts Org

In this insightful episode of diVERSES, poet Geoff Anderson of diVERSES sits down with John Burroughs, the former Vice President of the Ohio Poetry Association (OPA) and a Lifetime Beat Poet Laureate. John shares the raw reality behind leading a major arts organization, the challenges of securing sustainable funding for poets, and the personal transition of stepping back from leadership to focus on his own creative legacy.Whether you're a poet looking to understand the "business" of art, considering a leadership role in your local arts community, or grappling with your own creative burnout, John’s reflections on mortality, "woke" activism in art, and the importance of paying poets what they're worth offer invaluable perspective.Get a free audio/mp3/podcast version at https://open.spotify.com/show/4vAdMbaunOPziRoovm0K5PMore on diVERSES: www.diversespoetry.comIn this video, we discuss:The hidden challenges of managing a statewide poetry organization.The struggle for arts funding in a shifting political climate.Moving from a "one-man show" to working within a team, and back.The importance of accessibility and inclusivity in the poetry community.John’s personal journey toward writing his long-awaited memoir.About John Burroughs: John Burroughs is a renowned poet, publisher of Crisis Chronicles Press, and a dedicated advocate for the Ohio poetry scene. He was recently honored as a Lifetime Beat Poet Laureate by the National Beat Poetry Foundation.Connect with OPA: Visit ohiopoetry.org for upcoming workshops and events.#Poetry s #OhioPoetryAssociation #BeatPoetry #diVERSES00:00 - Introduction: The realities of leading a poetry organization 01:00 - Meeting John Burroughs: Lifetime Beat Poet Laureate 02:03 - Grappling with mortality and refocusing on writing 03:27 - Procrastination vs. intentional creative work 04:47 - Expectations of a leadership role in OPA 06:21 - Vision vs. Reality: Managing grants and organizational funding 07:18 - Inclusivity and the political climate for arts organizations 08:50 - Creating self-reliance in the arts world 10:05 - How OPA handles statewide funding and local support 11:28 - Organizing poetry workshops and the Sun and Moon Festival 12:57 - Paying poets: The struggle for fair compensation 14:40 - The challenge of expanding outreach across Ohio 16:33 - Finding new audiences beyond the poetry community 18:41 - Bridging the gap: Poetry at festivals and public spaces 21:05 - How poetry can save a life and build community 22:35 - Using poetry as a tool for communication and ESL 24:44 - Recognizing the signs of burnout and when to step down 26:34 - Transitioning from a solo creator to a team leader 28:43 - Searching for a deeper purpose through writing 31:16 - The mission of diVERSES: Helping poets "Live on Poetry" 32:32 - Passing the torch: Ensuring a diverse future for OPA 36:28 - What’s next for John: Crisis Chronicles and a new memoir 38:32 - Navigating accolades and the hierarchy of the poetry world 42:15 - Breaking down gatekeeping and competition in poetry 45:18 - Making poetry accessible to everyone 47:50 - 3 Questions to ask before joining an arts leadership role 51:00 - Knowing when to step away to keep growing 51:45 - Upcoming OPA events and closing thoughts