The creative standstill between viewers and streamers has come to a head. As streaming slowly inches its way to overtaking the conventional ways of watching television, the divide between what viewers want and what is being produced grows. Audiences have made it clear that they prefer the formats of the past overcurrent releases, but streaming companies are refusing to make changes to their current format, especially regarding the sitcom.
With little success in larger-scale government oversight so far, it begs the question: how is the marketplace for DAFs changing and innovating in the response to these singularizing criticisms? Is the market listening and self-correcting as a way to preempt such legislation? Given the broad variety of DAF sponsor organizations, it is evident that the field, while large, is not a monolith and deserves to be measured at its innovative margins. Newer sponsors have revealed themselves to be particularly aware of the controversies yet remain focused on the opportunities these accounts provide and are demonstrating new approaches to DAF sponsorship aimed at greater payout rates and democratization of their platforms.
The use of generative AI (GenAI) tools is becoming increasingly prevalent in marketing, particularly for smaller organizations or nonprofits seeking innovative ways to engage audiences and improve workflow efficiency. This article dives into data collected through a survey that was sent out to museum professionals in Pittsburgh and Cleveland to better understand how and if they are utilizing generative AI tools in their marketing strategies.
This month, music and film are at the forefront as each battles with the future uses for burgeoning tech. While AI-generated film visuals seem to be coming up short, progress toward realistic AI-generated music is starting to send shockwaves. On the consumer side, music streaming tools are being released to allow more listening experience customization. Across the industry, artists are celebrating ways that some these new tools can enhance their work, while speaking out against potential impacts on jobs, compensation, and creative freedom.
Technology in the Artsblog and/or podcast subscribers know that I despise the buzzword "Web 2.0." So why this week am I attending the New York edition of the conference that officially launched that term into our tech lexicon?
Because no matter what you call today's interactive, social online experience, the tools and applications that serve as the foundation for the modern Web are incredibly important.
So I just arrived in Manhattan for the 2008 NYC Web 2.0 Expo, where I'll enjoy a full slate of sessions and workshops designed to "immerse" me in the concepts and practices that are shaping the "Internet Revolution." (Note: I forgot to bring my big red flag, so I hope I'm not left behind when we storm the digital Bastille.)
I'll be blogging from the Web 2.0 Expo all week, so be sure to check in every day for my regular updates. Better yet, simply subscribe to our RSS feed (how?) to have my entries delivered to you as soon as I post them.
Believe it or not, the 2008 Technology in the Arts Conference is only a month away. I know how fast the days and weeks have been flying for me, so I wanted to highlight upcoming deadlines for those of you planning to attend (or thinking about attending):
September 10th - Extended Early Bird Registration Deadline
We've heard your requests and will be extending the Early Bird Registration deadline to Wednesday, September 10th. As a reader of this blog, you are eligible to receive 25% off all conference registration fees. When combined with the Early Bird discount rate, your total cost for registering for the 2008 Technology in the Arts Conference is only $187.50.
September 15th - Deadline to PA Residents to Apply for Conference Scholarships
Thanks to the generous support from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, we are offering a limited number of registration and travel scholarships exclusively for artists and arts administrators living and working in Pennsylvania. Click here to learn more and apply online!
September 16th - Hotel Reservation Deadline for Discounted Conference Rate
Call 1-800-445-8667 and give them the group code - CAM - to receive the conference rate of $129/night.
OTHER CONFERENCE INFORMATION:
Conference Schedule - Learn more about this year's conference lineup
Thanks to the generous support from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, we will be offering a limited number of registration and travel scholarships exclusively for artists and arts administrators living and working in Pennsylvania.
Scholarships are available exclusively for artists and arts administrators living and working in Pennsylvania.
Two types of scholarships:
Full registration:
Covers registration expenses for the general conference as well as the hands-on training workshops
Eight of these scholarships will be awarded in 2008
Available to both previous and new conference attendees
Full registration plus travel expenses:
Covers registration expenses for the general conference as well as the hands-on training workshops
Also reimburses travel and lodging expenses up to $700
Allowed expenses include: air or train fare, taxicab, car rental, gas, mileage, and hotel accommodations.
Five of these scholarships will be awarded in 2008
Available ONLY to new conference attendees
Applicants will be evaluated on their ability to articulate how attending the conference will assist them in their work and professional development.
Applications MUST be submitted online.
Applications MUST be submitted byMonday, September 15, 2008.
Applicants will be notified of their status by Friday, September 19th.
Registration for the 2008 Technology in the Arts National Conference is now open.
The Technology in the Arts Conference is a resource for the arts community, sparking dialog around the role of technology in our planning and programming, discussing best practices as well as lessons learned, and providing hands-on, practical skills where possible. Explore the conference schedule for breakout and hands-on session information.
General Registration:
Early Bird Rate - $250 | Standard Rate - $300 | On-Site Rate - $350
General Registration fees cover all conference activities from Thursday evening’s Networking Reception through Saturday night’s Closing Party.
Hands-On Training Workshops:
Either One AM Workshop OR One PM Workshop - $30
Both One AM Workshop AND One PM Workshop - $50
Fees for Thursday’s six Hands-On Training Workshops are separate from the General Registration. Due to their limited capacities, you will be asked to select the hands-on training workshop(s) you would like to attend during the registration process.
Student Discount:
College students with a valid student I.D. will receive an 80% discount on the conference and workshop registration fees.
To receive this registration discount code, send an e-mail request with the subject line “Student Discount” to David Dombrosky.
You will receive a reply message containing the discount code to use during the registration process.
When you arrive at registration, you MUST present a valid student I.D.
I attended an arts consultant round table at the National Performing Arts Convention last month, and I wanted to provide contact information for a couple of my fellow attendees:
Lisa Mount - Lisa led the session, and her firm's Web site is www.ArtisticLogistics.org. Lisa offers a broad array of strategic management services.
Jane Hill (artSMART) - Jane brings more than thirty years experience as a professional arts manager to provide practical and successful approaches to the challenges faced by small and mid-sized arts organizations today. Contact Jane at hill.jane1913@sbcglobal.net.
A reminder... the Center for Arts Management and Technology provides technology consulting for nonprofit arts organizations. Read more about our services.
Note: CAMT does not endorse either of these consultants. All consultants in the session were given the opportunity to be listed here.
I will be visiting New York City later this week for the American Association of Community Theatre Conference.
If you plan to attend, please visit me in exhibit hall room C. I'd be happy to spend some time chatting about your technology needs and providing a bit of free consulting.
Nothing ever happens in Blaine.
By the way, the image above is NOT meant to be offensive. I have acted in many a community theatre production, and I love every minute of it.
If you're involved in theatre and you don't love Waiting for Guffman, then shame on you!
The 2008 Technology in the Arts Conference convenes representatives from the full spectrum of arts community, from the local to national levels, to explore the intersection of the arts and technology.
In honor of this exploration, the ArtsTech Awards recognize three categories of leaders in the arts and technology: artists, arts organizations and funding organizations. For the 2008 ArtsTech Awards criteria, guidelines and nomination forms, visit the following category-specific links:
Nominations must be submitted through our online nomination forms. Nominations must be received by 11:59PM EST on August 8, 2008.
The recipients of the 2008 ArtsTech Awards will be honored at the Technology in the Arts Conference during the Keynote and Awards Luncheon on October 10, 2008.
If you have questions about the ArtsTech Awards or the nomination process, please contact David Dombrosky.
Remember those essays you had to write in elementary school - e.g. "What I did for summer vacation"? That's sort of what this post feels like since Brad chastised me for being remiss in my blogging duties. Of course, I fired him - again. I do that a lot. It just never seems to stick.
AFTA held this year's convention in Philadelphia - the city of brotherly love (and sisterly affection). The hotel sold out long before I climbed out of my procrastination long enough to book a room. Thankfully, I found a room at a nearby hotel - directly across the street from where they were filming Transformers 2. If only I hadn't gotten bored and walked out of Transformers, then I might have been more starry eyed.
After three days in Philly with Americans for the Arts, I return to the Burgh with three essential take-aways:
1. Affirmation -- In a recent (soon to be published) environmental scan of the arts community conducted by Americans for the Arts, it has been determined that, "The influence of technology, unconstrained access, and the new immediacy of communication on traditional and new and evolving production/delivery mechanisms is not yet entirely understood." While the influence of technology on production/delivery may not be fully understood, the impact of technology on the arts community has been seismic. Between AFTA and the NPAC conventions this month, I come back to the Burgh knowing that our Technology in the Arts conference, blog, podcast, and site resources are truly useful tools for the field to assist them in navigating unfamiliar terrain.
2. Futurists Rock - The Keynote Address was given by futurist Andrew Zolli, founder of Z+ Partners and organizer of the PopTech conference, in the manner that I've yearned for at all of the conferences I have attended throughout my professional life: highly engaging, provocative and witty. He touched on a multitude of issues - from innovation and "the tyranny of choice" to experiential economics, "the Long Tail" and "Citizen Brand." I think it was the first time that I went to a conference where the keynote speaker talked for 45 minutes, and I wanted to hear more! For those of you who were not able to attend AFTA this year (or for those of you who just want to hear more of what Andrew has to say), check out these video clips on YouTube.
Pop Arts Marketing held their own iPod giveaway last week for the National Performing Arts Convention in Denver. But their contest required a bit more skill than ours, as they set up an online game called Harpsichord Hero, which riffed on the popular Guitar Hero.
For most of the Convention, I held the high score, but someone finally bested me on the last day of the event. On Friday, I got what I thought was a perfect score and celebrated a bit more than any reasonable adult should. Then when I looked at the leaderboard, I realized that my adversary was still slightly higher than me in the rankings.
This is a photo of me in mid-celebration, before I was crushed by the realization of defeat:
Congratulations to the four winners of the Institue for the Management of Creative Enterprises iPod Nano giveaway. We collected business cards during the National Performing Arts Convention in Denver, CO, last week, and our winners were picked on Friday.
The lucky quartet:
Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, Managing Director, Westport Country Playhouse
Julie Hawkins, Vice President of Public Policy, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance
Conrad Kehn, Composer/Vocalist
Trevor Hunter, Technical Producer, Counterstream Radio
To all of those who entered but did not win, please remember this quote from William Shakespeare: "Having nothing, nothing can he lose."
So I just arrived in Manhattan for the 2008 NYC Web 2.0 Expo, where I'll enjoy a full slate of sessions and workshops designed to "immerse" me in the concepts and practices that are shaping the "Internet Revolution." (Note: I forgot to bring my big red flag, so I hope I'm not left behind when we storm the digital Bastille.)
