In our previous discussion, we tackled The Volunteer Trap—that all-too-common scenario where competent artists find their studio time cannibalized by administrative duties for local arts organizations. We explored the costs of being the “reliable one” and the necessity of prioritizing your own creative output.
But identifying the problem is the easy part. The hard part is the actual extrication.
Once you have decided that you need to step away for the sake of your art career, how do you actually do it? How do you resign from a board that relies on you without feeling like you are betraying your friends or dooming the organization to failure?
Leaving a leadership role requires as much grace and strategy as entering one. Here is how to execute an elegant exit that protects your relationships while reclaiming your time.
The Fear of “Blowback”
The primary reason artists stay in volunteer roles long past their expiration date is the fear of social penalty. We worry that our peers will be angry, that we will be viewed as “quitters,” or that we will lose standing in our local art community.
However, experience shows that this fear is largely imagined. When artists finally rip the band-aid off, the reaction is rarely one of anger. Instead, it is often one of envy.
When you announce you are stepping back to focus on your studio practice, you aren’t rejecting the group; you are affirming your identity as an artist. Far from generating blowback, your decision often serves as a wake-up call for others who are secretly feeling the same burnout. You might be surprised to find that your resignation inspires a wave of healthy boundary-setting among your peers.
Crafting the Narrative: “It’s Not You, It’s My Season”
The key to a bridge-building exit is in how you frame the “why.” You want to avoid listing grievances about the organization’s inefficiency or politics (even if they are valid), as this invites debate and defensiveness.
Instead, make the reason entirely personal and unarguable. No one can argue with your life goals.
The “Simplification” Script: One of the most effective ways to resign is to cite a desire for simplicity.
“I have realized that at this stage in my life, I need to simplify my commitments. I have loved helping this organization, but I need to clear my plate to focus entirely on my painting and personal well-being. I want to get back to the joy of creating.”
The “Bandwidth” Script:
“I have a rule that I can only commit to things I can give 100% to. Right now, my professional workload is such that I can’t give this role the attention it deserves, and that isn’t fair to the group. I need to step down so someone with more bandwidth can take the reins.”
Making Peace with the Vacuum
The hardest emotional hurdle is the “Savior Complex”—the belief that without you, the program will collapse.
You might be right. If you leave, the exhibition quality might dip. The newsletter might go out late. The spring show might even be canceled.
This is the “Rollercoaster Reality” of volunteer organizations. They historically go through cycles of high activity and low activity depending on who is at the helm. This ebb and flow is natural.
If an organization creates a vacuum when you leave, let it happen. If the group cannot survive without the heroic over-effort of a single volunteer, that is a structural signal that the organization needs to change, downsize, or pivot. It is not your responsibility to artificially prop it up at the expense of your own livelihood.
The Finality of the Decision
Once you have sent the email or made the announcement, be firm. It is common for boards to ask, “Can you just stay on for six more months?” or “Can you just consult on this one project?”
If you are not careful, you will end up “quiet quitting” where you still do the work but without the title. Be kind, be grateful for the opportunity you had, but be absolute in your boundary. Your studio is waiting, and it is the one place where you are truly indispensable.
Share Your “Exit” Strategy
For those who have successfully transitioned out of a heavy volunteer role: What was the deciding factor that finally made you send that resignation letter? Did you find that the organization struggled after you left, or did new leadership emerge to fill the gap?
Tell us your story in the comments.