An interview with Elizabeth Pope, Director of Research and Operations at Idealware, a nonprofit based in Portland, ME that helps nonprofits make smart technology decisions.

Deb: What are the apps that you use every day and what do you like about them?

Elizabeth: SPOTIFY-for streaming music without words as I work on massive Excel spreadsheets
INSTAGRAM-to see what my friends and the cultural institutions I follow are up to
GOOGLE MAPS-so I'm not perpetually late for every meeting
GMAIL-because that's what Idealware uses for its email!
NYTIMES-to keep in the loop

Deb: Any apps developers should be working on?

Elizabeth: I wish there was a Google Calendar app.

Deb: What is one app that surprised you with its usefulness?

Elizabeth: CAMSCANNER-I downloaded it to scan my driver's license a while ago, and now I use it to scan all sorts of stuff for work and for play. It's free, and does the trick!

Deb: If you could recommend one app to every arts leader, what would it be and why?

Elizabeth: Hmm. I don't have a one-size-fits-all recommendation, so I would say one app that helps remind you of the beauty in the world—whether it connects you with music, photography, words, or something else. There are lots of productivity (and time-wasting) apps out there, but your phone should be a source of pleasure and fun, not just work!