Every month, AMTLab publishes a collection of recent news in the field of arts management and technology. After a summer hiatus, we’re back with a selection of articles showcasing some of the trends and highlights of September 2014. We’ve paid special attention to the heated discussion around net neutrality, how museums have integrated technology into their exhibits, and effective use of social media.
Welcome to AMT Lab!
Hello readers!
As the new Chief Editor of AMT Lab, I wanted to take a minute to introduce myself. I’ve long inhabited the role so familiar to readers of our blog – that of the “accidental techie.” Whether in my personal or professional life, my enthusiasm for all things tech has given me ample experience solving both hardware and software issues, as well as a healthy appetite for tech news. Last year, AMT Lab allowed me to feed my dual passions of art and technology, and I’m honored and excited to be taking over as Chief Editor from the incredible Katherine Schouten.
Based on the results of our 2014 reader poll, I have worked with the staff to create our research areas for the year. From these frameworks and our current contributor’s areas of interest, we’ve settled on a diverse set of material to serve your needs. Over the next few months, contributors will research their specific area of interest and share their insights as they progress.
AMTLab Reader Poll: Sound Familiar...or All Wrong?
Three questions, three wishes...and a three-way tie. As AMTLab prepares to close its 2014 Reader Poll at the end of the week, we're in a dead heat for the topics of most interest to our readers.
Frustrated by Managing Multiple Social Media Channels? Buffer It!
The Magic of Three: AMTLab Reader Poll
News Summary 11.2013
News Summary 09.2013
Summer Vacation Brings Back-to-School Changes
Mapping Social Networks -- Present, Past, Future
Mapping and networks feel modern and hip. In today's increasingly connected world, we assume that social networks are real-time, technologically relevant, but networks of influence far precede our internet-focused era. Significantly, mapping networks offers an understanding of how ideas travel. Visual and performing art historians, professional dramaturgs and curators all know that mapping people, objects, or ideas across time and space can broaden an understanding of an art piece or process. Administrators can also benefit from studying networks.
Tweet Seats at the University Musical Society
There's been a lot of chatter lately about Tweet Seats. The NEA hosted a series of blog posts about #2TweetOrNot2Tweet, we brought up possible legal issues last week, and before I leave you all for the weekend, I'd like to point you towards a great post from ArtsFwd. If you, or anyone you know, is considering Tweet Seats, you should really read this post.
The Pew Research Center's Report on Arts and Technology
The Pew Research Center recently did a survey and report about how various arts organizations use technology including the internet, social media, and mobile technology. The report confirms that the arts are adapting to the overwhelming saturation of technology, particularly the internet and social media, and are venturing into deeper levels of engagement such as blogs, podcasts, and educational content.
Last Call! Tech Challenges in the Arts Management World
We'll be closing our audience poll this Monday, January 21. Now is the time for you and all of your arts-oriented colleagues to tell us what tech challenges you face on a regular basis. Then check back for results! [polldaddy poll=6814063]
Time of Transition
Does something seem different? Did we get a haircut? New pair of glasses? Start working out? Can’t quite put your finger on it?
Technology in the Arts recently embarked on the beginning of a yearlong journey to assess our role in the world of arts management and technology. Externally, you may notice changes to the look of our site as we continue to update our WordPress infrastructure. Internally, we are engaging in a strategic planning process to reposition and rebrand Technology in the Arts to better serve our audiences.
Part of that effort is to learn more about YOU. Throughout the coming months we will be polling our users to find out what challenges, triumphs, needs, and desires are lurking in the professional niches you inhabit. We invite you to participate, submit comments, and check back to see what we’re finding. What types of content would be most helpful to you? What questions do you have? What excites you? Where do you see arts management and technology intersecting? Where don’t you?
Transitions are afoot. Let’s begin!
[polldaddy poll=6814063]
Happy New Year from Technology in the Arts!
Welcome to the new year! Technology in the Arts had an amazing 2012, and we're looking forward to an even stronger 2013! There's always room for improvement, and the staff was kind enough to share their tech resolutions for the coming year. Check them out on the right!
In 2013 I resolve to...stay off my sisters' Facebook accounts (maybe) and to make my daily photo blog an ACTUAL daily photo blog! - Elizabeth
In 2013, I resolve to use Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram more frequently than Chinese social media.I will develop a good habit to reply every important email within one day.I resolve to regularly read about latest technology.I will convoy my exciting new findings of the world to others via social media.- Vivi
I resolve that my 2 year old son doesn't start figuring out how to use a new tech tool before I do. - Kathryn
Publish an e-book on Gamification in the Arts, learn how to use my new smart phone (my first one oddly), and find an employer that loves technology and the arts as much as I do. - Andre
I will master preziI will be a better Facebook friendI will spread creativity at least once a dayAnd, of course,I will read, like, tweet and follow technology on the arts! - Brett
This year I develop concrete social media campaigns and finally upgrade to a new phone! - Rachael
We had many great articles here on Tech in the Arts in 2012 - here's but a small sampling of our fantastic pieces:
Data vs. Message: Which wins arts patrons?
Pinterest 101 for Arts Organizations
How Google Art Project Benefits the Public
Gaming or Gamification: A Tool for the Arts
Looking at the Land: The Crowdsourced, Digital Exhibition (Part 1) (Part 2)
Take off your fundraiser hat! Kickstarter Tips with Stephanie Pereira
Redefining Participation: Notes from the Newspaper Industry
Telemarketing is Dead - and I killed it
SFMOMA Families App Drives Away Gallery Fatigue
As 2013 begins, we can't help but be excited about the future. What technologies are you excited to learn or master in the coming year?
Wanted: Arts Managers
Those who have been following Technology in the Arts (TiTA) for some time may be aware that in the past TiTA, in collaboration with the CMU Master of Arts Management program, hosted a website devoted to job opportunities in the arts management field: http://artsopportunities.org/. Since its inception, an abundance of free online arts job resources have emerged, and so, this month we say adieu to our companion site. In its place we present here a host of resources that come with high recommendations as you pursue or advance a career in arts management: National Listings
Americans for the Arts Job Bank
Association of Fundraising Professionals
Association of Performing Arts Presenters
National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture
National Guild for Community Arts Education
New York Foundation for the Arts
Regional Listings: East/MidAtlantic
Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance
Massachusetts Cultural Council
Emerging Leaders of New York Arts
Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington (D.C.)
Regional Listings: Midwest
Arts Wave (Cincinnati)
Cultural Alliance of Southeastern Michigan
Springboard for the Arts (Minneapolis/Saint Paul)
Regional Listings: South
Arts and Science Council of Charlotte-Mecklenburg (North Carolina)
Regional Listings: West
Northern California Grantmakers
Oregon Regional Arts & Culture Jobs
International Listings:
International Society for the Performing Arts
Where We Are and Where We've Been - Annual Report
It has been almost a full year since I joined Technology in the Arts, thanks to the Master of Arts Management program at Carnegie Mellon University. As we enter another school year and prepare for a new group of research associates, we’ve got a look back at the past year. Research Associate Terry Boyd prepared this Annual Report with our highlights, summaries, and where we have room to improve.
If you're a fan of metrics, be sure to check out the report. Here are some of my favorites:
Highlights
- Staff size! We added 5 authors last year!
- Page views jumped by 63%
- Visitor total increased by 78%
- Even though our Facebook page is only 2 years old, Facebook is our largest traffic source
- Over 7,000 clicks from Facebook posts led to our blog posts last year.
- Our Twitter account saw an increase of followers by 28%
There's plenty of room for improvement (always!) and we hope readers will join us in the next year! We also have a friendly, non-flash version of the report here.
What the upcoming election mean for the arts
What will happen to arts, arts education, and arts agencies after the coming election? If you are registered to vote then you hold part of the answer in how you decide to cast your ballot. The coming election could very well decide whether or not there are numerous municipal, statewide, and national agencies that help support arts infrastructure and education.
Americans for the Arts collects information on elected candidates based on their voting record and stated policies. At the top of the ticket President Barrack Obama has gotten good marks from Americans for the Arts. He has proposed and supported increasing funding to the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities and has come out against cuts to arts education funding and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Mitt Romney on the other hand has pledged to cut funding to the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Support for the arts, arts funding, and arts education doesn't split strictly on party lines though and it is incumbent upon us as voters to understand where our national, statewide, municiple and local elected officials stand on support the arts, education, and the creative economy. Americans for the Arts has a handy tool that you can use to look up the positions of elected officials at all levels.
What’s Trending on Twitter this Week
Take a look at what caught our attention on Twitter this past week:
@MuseumNext A great presentation from @clairey_ross and @chrisspeed on QR codes, Smart Objects, Museums and Public Engagement.
@idealware Great introduction to Google Grants from @MRCampaigns- including the time it generally takes to set up ads & monitor
@sumojim The Digital Engagement in the Arts Framework from Jim Richardson
@sumojim I've been playing with the social media tool SocialBro for a few weeks, and I think it's worth checking out (it's free)
@HuffPostCulture Culture's biggest world record holders
@wikimania2012 Have you taken a look at our awesome schedule of workshops, talks, meetups, and events? Check it out
@youvecottmail When it comes to social media, are you following "the rule of thirds"?
@FracturedAtlas Check out 1.1, creating 1.1 million life-size images of kids, 1 for every child in a NYC public school.
@mashable 12 Essential Social Media Cheat Sheets
@HuffingtonPost FACT: For the first time in history, the US Olympic Team consists of more women than men
@HuffPostCulture Frank Gehry's crumpled opera design
Be sure to share with us what caught your eye by RTing to @TechInTheArts.
Pittsburgh's GoogleServe 2012
Technology solutions can be a challenge to any nonprofit. You're trying to do too many things with too little staff, and the last thing on your mind is how you're going to find room in the budget for an IT guy or gal. Thankfully, if you're based in Pittsburgh, there may be a solution.

GoogleServe 2012 is a full day of local Google employees helping nonprofits maximize their utilization of the products and services Google can provide.The event, now in its 4th year, will feature sessions for both the clueless and those who already have Google products in place at their nonprofits. GoogleServe is hosted by HandsOn Tech, Pittsburgh Cares, and, obviously, Google.
HandsOn Tech is a local nonprofit, seeking to help other Pittsburgh-area nonprofits with technology training and support. I had the opportunity to attend one of their workshops last month, about using Google+ for Nonprofits and really enjoyed the experience. If you have time to volunteer your tech skills, I highly recommend checking out their site.
Pittsburgh GoogleServe 2012 will be held Friday, June 15 at Google Pittsburgh in Bakery Square. For more information and to register, check out their website.
In Case You Missed It - May 2012
Things are slowing down here at Tech in the Arts as we prepare to enter our summer schedule. A decrease in posts does not mean a decrease in quality, however, and this past month we had some great articles.
- Before you utilize social media, Playing by the Rules: Creating a Social Media Plan
- A practical guide of Six Ways Arts Organizations Can Improve Their Facebook Advertising
- Continuing our fascination with 'gaming' in the arts world by Touring the Lourve with a Nintendo 3DS
- Still Up for Debate: What is the Best Way to Fund the Arts in America?
- We always knew, but now it has been Confirmed by Nonprofit Quarterly: Generating online content is NOT optional
- Finally it's Time to Artify It
- Then maybe head over to Artstack: the Social Platform for Discovering Art through People
- Also consider Turning Around Education with the Turnaround Arts Initiative











