Have you ever wondered about how arts managers harness the power of data on a day-to-day basis? To put your questions to rest, AMT Lab Chief Editor Katie Grennan sat down with two MAM alums, Christine Sajewski and Katie Schouten, to hear about their experiences with analytics in the workplace, what kinds of tools are on their data "wish lists", and some relevant recommendations for arts managers.

Meet the interviewees:

Christine Sajewski (MAM '15) began working as the External Affairs Analyst at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) after graduating from the MAM program in 2015. PBT created her role to cross marketing and development with the goal of understanding and connecting with its patrons more holistically. She had previously interned with PBT while studying Marketing and Entrepreneurship at Duquesne University and in her first year as a MAM. Christine discovered her passion for data and the arts as an intern working on PBT’s Google Analytics and through many courses at Heinz. She also held internships with the Kate Prescott & Associates, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, Pittsburgh CLO and Strathmore in Bethesda, MD.

Katie Schouten (MAM '14) collaborates with communities across the United States to design, operate, and advance after school arts education programs for high school youth. She specializes in leading NCAT’s organizational development efforts for New Centers for Arts & Technology, including feasibility study analysis, business planning, and nonprofit board development. She also assesses program outcomes of existing centers and facilitates professional development opportunities for arts managers across the NCAT network. Katie’s 20+ years in the arts include experience as performer, music educator, administrator, and analyst. She holds a Master of Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Arts in cultural anthropology from Saint Olaf College.

You can listen to the conversation above, or follow our bi-weekly podcast series via Google Play, iTunes, or Stitcher.