In this episode of the Arts Management and Technology Lab, host Luna Lu speaks with Bad Press co-directors Rebecca Lansberry-Baker and Joe Peeler, alongside journalist and film subject Angel Ellis, about the making of their Sundance 2023 award-winning documentary. The conversation explores how the team came together, the ethical and creative challenges of documenting press censorship within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and the tension between tribal sovereignty and press freedom. Through Angel Ellis’s experience as a journalist turned whistleblower, the episode highlights the vital role of independent Indigenous media, transparency, and civic participation, while also reflecting on trust, community-based storytelling, and the power of individuals to effect democratic change.
Eric Theise is a geospatial engineer, filmmaker, and performance artist. On September 5, 2025, he shared “A Synesthete’s Atlas” Performing Cartography, in an artist talk at the Frank-Ratchye Studio for Creative Inquiry at the College of Fine Arts. The following is a joint effort by Nate Xiang, who attended the artist talk, and an interview with Eric afterwards.
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.
AMT Lab Contributor Anne Marie Padelford recently caught up with Jon Zifkin, the head of Customer Success at Intellitix, an RFID company that provides access control and cashless payment systems for live events. Read on to learn more about his favorite apps!
AMT Lab Contributor Vicky Peng interviewed David Boyle, the Executive Vice President of Insight at BBC Worldwide. His job is to bring consumer insight into decision-making by using data. Before joining BBC, he worked as SVP Insight at HarperCollins Publishers and EMI Music.
AMT Lab Contributor Kate Grennan caught up with Natalie Howard, the Director of the Trinity Irish Dancers, a world renowned dance program based in Chicago, Illinois with additional locations throughout Wisconsin. She currently manages the Academy’s office and is passionate about working in the non-profit performing arts space. Click here to learn more about her favorite apps!
AMT Lab Contributor Kate Grennan caught up with Natalie Howard, the Director of the Trinity Irish Dancers, a world renowned dance program based in Chicago, Illinois with additional locations throughout Wisconsin. She currently manages the Academy’s office and is passionate about working in the non-profit performing arts space.
AMT Lab Contributor Kate Martin interviewed Jeffrey Inscho, a digital strategist based in Pittsburgh, PA who leads the Innovation Studio, the research, design and development laboratory at Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.
This year’s AMT-Lab contributors are hard at work conducting interviews with leaders in the field in order to bring you the latest insights and opinions from the intersection of arts management and technology. While these dialogues are in process, we thought we would look back at one of AMT-Lab’s most popular series: What’s On Your Phone? Here is a collection of What’s On Your Phone? interviews from the last two years.
AMT Lab Contributor Jackie Shimshoni recently interviewed Russell Granet, Executive Director of Lincoln Center Education. In the interview, Granet discussed arts and technology at the Lincoln Center and the role technology has played in educating audiences about their wide array of programming. He also offered valuable insight for arts managers in both performing and visual organizations who may wish to enhance their own educational offerings. Listen to the whole interview here.
On April 24, 2015, AMT Lab Contributor Jackie Shimshoni interviewed Russell Granet, Executive Director of Lincoln Center Education. In the interview, Granet discussed arts and technology at the Lincoln Center, and the role technology has played in educating audiences about their wide array of programing. He also offered valuable insight for arts managers in both performing and visual organizations who may wish to enhance their own educational offerings.
AMT Lab Chief Editor Patrick Zakem recently interviewed Elizabeth Merritt, Vice President for Strategic Foresight at the American Alliance of Museums and founding director of the Center for the Future of Museums – a think-tank and research & development lab for the museum. Elizabeth Merritt is the author of the Alliance’s annual TrendsWatch report, and writes and speaks prolifically on the trends shaping the future of nonprofit organizations. Read the interview here!
