The independents are clearly frustrated. They’re developing their work with lean and innovative processes. They’re diving into risk and creative expression. They’re exploring new visions and new voices. But all the while, they’re struggling against a large, established, and out-dated infrastructure that’s resource-hungry, risk-averse, and wielding too much influence over the creation and control of […]

Interesting stuff, as ever, at the Pew Internet & American Life Project web site. This time, on the contrary evidence to our common assumptions about new technologies. While many take it as a given that new technologies distract us from real-world social interaction, and encourage our cocooning into digitally-connected isolation, recent survey data suggests otherwise. […]

Yet more compelling and inspiring words from Ben Cameron of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation during his recent talk at TEDxYCC in Calgary. Well worth a watching.

My conversations at the Salzburg Global Seminar last week reinforced the inherent tensions in the business of arts and culture. Example 1: We build organizations to resolve cost and scale problems. Organizations, by their design, seek to reduce or mitigate risk. Art is risk. Tension ensues. Example 2: We require more capital or cash to […]

Way back in June 2008, I posted an ‘open-source public service announcement‘ concept and media mock-up called ”Art. It’s what’s inside.” Since I didn’t have the means or the channel to produce a professional version of the message I had in mind, I figured I’d release it to the world to see what life it […]

I’ve noticed a general agreement that the arts and culture world needs ‘problem solvers,’ people who can advance creative solutions with limited resources. But from observing countless cultural conversations, I’m emerging into a different view. From my experience, we’ve got PLENTY of problem solvers. We’re swimming in them. Extraordinarily resourceful artists, managers, board members, and […]

My blog entries have been few and far between of late, mostly due to back-to-back travel and project activity. Sorry to those who missed the entries (if any of you there be). I’ll work to get back on track. Last week’s excuse was a four-day Salzburg Global Seminar in Austria, entitled ”The Performing Arts in […]

As I’ve mentioned, I’m in Salzburg, Austria, for a four-day convening on the future of the performing arts. We’ve been discussing broad trends, challenges, and opportunities among a global group to unbundle what we know about the arts ecology, and to consider how that ecology might need to adapt or evolve with all the changes […]

I’ve had this Baltimore Symphony story simmering on the back burner for a few weeks, and continue to come back to it. The symphony hosted a special concert/performance event to allow amateur musicians to sit in with their professional counterparts. Called ”Rusty Musicians With the BSO,” the event was a pet project of conductor Marin […]

An increasing range of entertainment these days is available through a monthly all-access payment rather than a per-use or per-unit cost. Netflix offers unlimited on-line movies and DVDs for one monthly payment. Rhapsody offers access to a jukebox in the clouds for a monthly fee, as well. Now Seattle’s ACT Theater is playing with the […]