AMT Lab's latest publication Opening Doors: Welcoming New Audiences with Sensory-Friendly Performances, is a useful guide for organizations seeking to learn more about the needs and challenges of creating sensory-friendly programming programming. Based on interviews with several sensory-friendly program directors and artists from Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Imagination Stage, The Kennedy Center, and TDF’s Autism Theatre Initiative, this publication discusses best practices and important considerations for program development.
Opening Doors: The People Behind Sensory-Friendly Programs
One of the most important aspects of successful sensory-friendly programming is the proper training and involvement of staff, volunteers, and artists. Despite any initial concerns or nerves about the uncertainties with this programming, staff members at every organization I spoke with were eager to get involved. This is the third post in our series on sensory-friendly programming.
National Ticketing Survey: Sneak Preview!
Opening Doors: Best Practices for Developing Sensory-Friendly Programs
In part 1 of Opening Doors, I reflected on sensory-friendly programming through my personal experience at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. These performances create an incredible opportunity for arts organizations to include individuals and families from around their communities. Yet effective implementation requires time and in-depth planning with staff and community partners. This second post continues the discussion looking at best practices related to sensory-friendly program design.
Opening Doors: Welcoming New Audiences with Sensory-Friendly Performances
For many families and individuals, the experience of attending a performing arts program is hindered by physical or developmental challenges. And with 1 in 68 American children on the autism spectrum, by neglecting this significant population, our institutions are failing to serve a large part of their community. Sensory-friendly programming creates a performance environment where the traditional theater rules are relaxed to better accommodate a variety of audience members. This introduction is the first in a series of posts on sensory-friendly programming.
Research Update: Making Data-Driven Decisions
Once arts organizations have identified data sets available to them internally (e.g., ticket sales, website analytics), it is important to recognize that these channels do not operate alone. How can marketers in arts organizations look at these multiple data sources, including new media channels, to conduct a more meaningful analysis? As a starting point, they can identify connections between their internal data sources and articulate goals for each relationship.
Research Update: Making Data-Driven Decisions
When moving toward making data-driven decisions, arts organizations can begin by recognizing many of the different data sets generated internally that contain valuable information about their audiences. Here is a brief look at four such data sets and the corresponding reports arts organizations can utilize from them.
Research Update: Making Data-Driven Decisions
In 2012, NTEN partnered with Idealware to gauge the use of data by nonprofit organizations. Among arts organizations, only 26% reported that their decision-making processes are generally informed by data. What metrics are relevant for each department to make smart business decisions, whether they be about marketing or ticketing or development? How does an arts organization decide what metrics to use and why?