Podcast, Art Meets Tech, Media
Yao Pei
The Algorithms in Your Ears: Looking Into the ...

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.

The Algorithms in Your Ears: Looking Into the Making Of Your Music Feeds
Podcast, Digital Futures, Art Meets Tech
Yao Pei
Ludus: a Ticket Selling Platform Changing the ...

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.

Ludus: a Ticket Selling Platform Changing the Game
Podcast, Entertainment, Digital Futures, Artificial Intelligence
Yao Pei
Michael Cioni on Ingenuity and the Future of ...

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.

Michael Cioni on Ingenuity and the Future of Entertainment
Podcast, Art Meets Tech, Digital Futures, Creative Coding
Yao Pei
The Art of Language: Daniel Temkin Reveals The ...

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.

The Art of Language: Daniel Temkin Reveals The Inner Workings of Esolangs
Podcast, Artificial Intelligence, Society, Media, Public Policy
Yao Pei
Politics and Portrayal: The Impact of AI and ...

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.

Politics and Portrayal: The Impact of AI and Our Lives
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Podcast Episode #69 - Social Media Spotlight on the Mattress Factory

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JeffInschoIn this episode of Technology in the Arts, Corwin Christie talks with Jeffrey Inscho, Director of Media and Public Relations for the Mattress Factory - a museum of contemporary installation art, about ways in which arts organizations can develop cost effective technology initiatives and partner with technology providers. Related Links Mattress Factory - Friendship v2.0 SCREEENtxt BrightKite MF iConfess Deep Local

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May 11th Webinar - Market Smarter with Google and Facebook!

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Erik Gensler

2:00pm-3:30pm Eastern Presenter: Erik Gensler Registration: $25.00

Google and Facebook offer a suite of free to inexpensive marketing tools that allow you to target and better understand your online audience.   This webinar will  focus on helping arts organizations use Google Analytics, Google AdWords, and Facebook advertising to market smarter.

Over the course of this 90 minute webinar, Capacity Interactive's Erik Gensler will discuss:

  • How arts organizations can optimize Google Analytics understand how users are interacting with your site and which user behaviors are tied to sales. We will discuss basic reporting and set up as well as custom set up and ecommerce tracking.
  • How to use Google AdWords to increase traffic to your site. You will discover how your orgnization can obtain up to $10,000 in free AdWords advertising per month. You will also learn about the Google Content Network where your organization can place banner ads on thousands of sites across the web from one central hub.
  • How to target Facebook users that are interested in the programming your organization offers. You will obtain tips for crafting ads and micro-targeting users to make your Facebook advertising efficient and cost-effective.

Listen to Brad Stephenson's interview with Erik from last summer's Technology in the Arts podcast: [display_podcast] Erik Gensler is the president of Capacity Interactive Inc. - an electronic marketing consulting firm whose client roster includes Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Carnegie Hall, New York City Opera, and Roundabout Theatre Company. Capacity Interactive helps arts organizations strategically employ interactive tools to engage audiences, build community, and market smarter.

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Podcast Episode #68 - Walker Arts Center's Social Media Experiments and Tips for Email Marketing

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JustinAndGeneIn this episode of Technology in the Arts, Amelia Northrup interviews Justin Heideman, New Media Designer at the Walker Art Center, about recent online projects that have propelled the Walker into the forefront of art organizations engaging their audiences through social media. Related websites: West St. Paul video My Yard Our Message

Also in this episode, Corwin Christie catches up with Patron Technology president Gene Carr to talk about e-mail marketing strategies for arts organizations.

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Podcast Episode #67 - Results of the 2009 Ticketing Software Satisfaction Survey

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TicketingSoftwareSurvey-image-200px In this episode of Technology in the Arts, Brad chats with the Center for Arts Management and Technology's executive director David Dombrosky and marketing and research assistant Pat Germann about the results of the 2009 Ticketing Software Satisfaction Survey (PDF).

Cool Sites of the Episode

David: ARTSblog Green Papers Pat: Puppeteers Unite

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Podcast Episode #65 - Discussion of TenduTV with Marc Kirschner

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Flickr, CC by cybaea In this episode of Technology in the Arts, David interviews Marc Kirschner, the founder and General Manager of TenduTV, which delivers high-quality concert dance, documentaries, original programming and screendance to over 20 million US televisions, and to every household with a broadband internet connection.

TenduTV is making a special announcement today at the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference in New York City.

(Photo: Flickr, CC by Grzegorz Chorus)

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Technology in the Arts #64

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Flickr, CC by cybaea In this episode of Technology in the Arts, Brad interviews Matt Lehrman of Alliance for Audience and ShowUp.com. Lehrman and Dwight Gee of ArtsFund and TakePartinArt.org were the leaders of the first stage of Project Audience, a Mellon Foundation funded project focused on envisioning the next generation of audience development.

(Photo: Flickr, CC by cybaea)

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Technology in the Arts #63

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By Scott Kirsner In this episode of the Technology in the Arts podcast, the Center for Arts Management and Technology's executive director David Dombrosky talks with Corwin Christie, a Heinz College Master of Arts Management student. Poor Corwin, a social media assistant for CAMT, was forced to do David's reading, and she provides her thoughts on the book Fans, Friends & Followers by Scott Kirsner.

The episode also features David's interviews with Kirsner, author of the aforementioned book, and Ed Halter, a staff writer for Rhizome.org. Rhizome is a site "dedicated to the creation, presentation, preservation, and critique of emerging artistic practices that engage technology."

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Technology in the Arts #62

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In this episode of Technology in the Arts, Brad interviews Hannah Leatherbury. Picture 6Hannah is the E-Services Manager for Southern Arts Federation (SAF) and the project lead for ArtsReady, is a forthcoming, web-based, continuity planning application for performing arts organizations. The Andrew Mellon Foundation is providing funding and support for this project.

ArtsReady uses the definition of "continuity planning" provided by SAF's project collaborators at the Office of Continuity Planning at the University of California – Berkeley: Putting in place NOW the things that will enable us to continue serving our constituents and maintain our viability following a catastrophic event of any size or type.

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Technology in the Arts #61

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In this episode of Technology in the Arts, Jason takes a break while Brad interviews arts marketing consultant Erik Gensler. ezgErik is the president of Capacity Interactive Inc., a consultancy that specializes in e-marketing for the arts. Current projects include overseeing New York City Opera's electronic marketing strategy, project management and strategy for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Doris Duke Foundation Leading for the Future grant focused on increasing on-line patron engagement, managing web advertising and analytics for Nextbook.org, and implementing and advising on web analytics for Pacific Northwest Ballet as part of their Wallace Foundation grant. Erik was a Senior Marketing Officer at New York City Opera where he oversaw electronic marketing activities including the redesign of nycOpera.com as well as implementing a text message club, a blog, and podcast series.

He served as Director of Sponsorship for TMG-The Marketing Group where he secured over $3 million in corporate sponsorships and strategic marketing partnerships for non-profit arts clients including Roundabout Theatre Company. He spent four years at NBC Universal in various roles in sales, marketing, production, and business development and is a graduate of the NBC Page Program and NBC Sales Associates Program. Erik began his career at Marakon Associates an international strategy consulting firm that works with top executives of Fortune 500 companies to help them maximize shareholder value. Erik holds a dual degree in Economics and Communication Studies from Northwestern University.

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