In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Lab, Samantha Childers explores why so many songs recommended by streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music sound strikingly similar. She breaks down the inner workings of music streaming algorithms—how metadata, collaborative filtering, content-based filtering, and continuous feedback loops collectively shape the “perfect playlist.” Childers also examines Spotify features such as Discover Weekly and Discovery Mode, uncovering how these tools influence music discovery, artist visibility, and even compositional trends as musicians increasingly write with algorithms in mind. Alongside these technical insights, she raises critical ethical questions about data privacy, algorithmic bias, pay-to-play practices, and the shrinking role of human curation. Ultimately, the episode invites listeners to rethink how algorithm-driven platforms shape not only what we hear but also how we discover, value, and experience music.
In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Lab, Andrew Wolverton and Zachary Collins explore how arts-focused technology can transform nonprofit ticketing and operations, tracing Ludus’s journey from a side project for a single high school musical to a nationwide platform serving more than 4,000 organizations. Collins explains how Ludus was built from the ground up around the real needs of drama teachers and community theaters, growing into an end-to-end system for ticketing, fundraising, marketing, volunteers, and concessions—while staying anchored in a people-first culture summed up by the company’s core value, “Give a Shit.” He reflects on navigating the COVID-19 shutdown through livestreaming and social-distancing tools, choosing the right growth equity partner, and why he believes AI shouldn’t replace arts workers but instead act as a “superpower” that frees them to focus on human-centered work and shared live experiences.
In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Lab, Alexann Sharp and Cara Flannery sit down with four-time Emmy-winning innovator Michael Cioni to unpack how technology and creativity converge in modern media workflows. Cioni introduces Strada, a peer-to-peer platform designed to enable remote collaboration without cloud storage, and shares career lessons on building networks through industry events (NAB, Cine Gear, IBC) and assembling complementary teams (“Swiss-cheese” collaboration). He distinguishes generative vs. utilitarian AI, predicts a shakeout and rebound for GenAI, and outlines his Skills Gap Principle and “Technative” mindset for balancing creative and technical strengths. The conversation closes with candid advice on taking smarter risks and betting on yourself.
In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Lab, Daniel Temkin and Luna Lu discussed the artistic possibilities of code, focusing on esoteric programming languages (esolangs) and how they can function as a medium for art and human expression. Temkin explained that his interest began with experimenting in existing esolangs (like Brainfuck) around 2007-2008, leading him to create his own and document them conceptually, moving away from overly technical documentation. The conversation highlighted how giving up on the idea that programming must be practical allows for artistic exploration, connecting esolangs to idea art, constraint-based work (such as the Oulipo Group), and performance art. Temkin detailed the structure of his book, which presents programming languages as idea-based art, containing both realized works and conceptual prompts inspired by artists like Yoko Ono, and described how his languages — such as Fat Finger, which inspired code poetry, and Folders, which manipulates file system hierarchy — explore themes of collaboration, human irrationality, and the extreme constraints of logical systems. Listeners were also encouraged to explore existing esolangs on the Esolang Wiki before trying to design their own.
In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Lab, Melida Hernandez and Christine Rivera dive into the intersections of technology, identity, and representation in digital spaces and media. Melida explores how AI-based recognition systems, often trained on biased datasets, misclassify transgender and non-binary individuals, which impacts their self-presentation, psychological well-being, and digital agency. Melida also discusses how these technologies replicate real-world prejudices, limiting the fluidity of gender expression online, and highlights the lack of diversity in AI research teams, where women make up only 10–15% of staff. Christine’s research, on the other hand, focuses on how scripted and streaming television depicts motherhood and women’s reproductive choices, connecting these portrayals to broader issues such as policy, workplace inequality, and the “motherhood penalty.” Together, they unpack how media archetypes, algorithmic bias, and social platforms shape public perception and reinforce gender roles, calling for more inclusive storytelling, equitable AI design, and better systemic support for women and marginalized communities.
Ann Markusen, the Director of the Arts Economy Initiative and the Project on Regional and Industrial Economics at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, sits down with AMT Lab contributor Katie Grennan to talk about her work on creative placemaking, and how it is informed by technology.
Michael Edson, Associate Director and Head of Digital for the United Nations Live—Museum for Humanity, recently sat down with AMT-Lab Chief Editor Patrick Zakem to talk about his work. Listen here to to hear Michael's views on organizational change, the digital commons, and how new ways of work are influencing the museum space.
Nora Fleury graduated from Carnegie Mellon University’s Masters of Arts Management Program in 2015 and is currently the Program and Development Associate at the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA). AMT Lab contributor Katie Grennan recently caught up with Nora about what her favorite apps are.
Dana Casto is the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Carnegie Mellon University School of Music. Dana is primarily responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of a comprehensive program in public relations for the School of Music, which presents more than 300 concerts, recitals, special events and programs annually with numerous collaborations and partnerships in the Pittsburgh arts community. He recently talked to AMT Lab Contributor Sophia Hubeny about his favorite apps.
Sophia Hubeny: What are the apps do you use everyday and why do you like them?
Dana Casto: Beyond the usual Mail, iMessage, and Phone apps on iOS, I would be completely lost in my professional life without Asana for task management, 1Password for password management, and Evernote for note taking and brain-dumping ideas. I also rely heavily on Hootsuite for big-picture social media management for the School and Eventbrite Neon for checking in on ticket sales for our events. In my personal life, I love Flipboard, Feedly, and Pocket for keeping up with news, Google Maps for getting where I need to go, and Sunrise for my calendars (Sunrise was recently purchased by Microsoft and is being absorbed in to their Outlook iOS app - its great as Sunrise lets you share times on your calendar for easy scheduling with someone).
SH: Is there an app that has surprised you with its usefulness?
DC: I manage a team of five grad students in the School of Music who are all responsible for various day-to-day marketing activities. Asana has been a game-changer for us in that we all know what we are all working on at any given time and can get status updates. No more emails back and forth or folks not being in the loop. It’s all managed within Asana.
SH: Is there an app you think developers should be working on?
DC: I think it would be cool to have an augmented reality app for live music performances. Something that would show info about the ensemble, music being performed, or other fun facts. Kinda like a live version of VH1’s Popup Video but in real time.
SH: If you could recommend one app to arts managers, what would it be?
DC: So much of my work is done via email and online. Once I made the switch from not using email as a task manager and back to a communication device, my productivity went way up. For me and my team, Asana met my needs in making sure nothing was missed and we stayed on task. If you’re an arts manager that collaborates on projects with your colleagues, Asana is worth checking out.
Chad Phillips is the Creative Director of Kwambio, an on-demand e-commerce platform that features customizable designs created with heirloom quality 3D printing technology. Before Kwambio, Chad was the Director of Retail at Cooper-Hewitt, the National Design Museum. AMT Lab Contributor Stephanie Sun recently talked to Chad about his favorite apps.
