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- Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco seeks Director of Digital Experience
Organization
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF), comprised of the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, is the largest public art museum in San Francisco. FAMSF welcomes more than 1.5 million visitors annually and is among the most visited museums in the United States with the third largest membership base in the country. Highlighting over 5,000 years of global art history, the de Young Museum and Legion of Honor showcase world-class exhibitions across the Bay Area—from ancient masterpieces to modern contemporary works. Together, their collections and programming remain deeply rooted in San Francisco’s rich cultural heritage and civic pride.
FAMSF Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Thomas P. Campbell leads an innovative program and strategic plan centered around art and community. The museums annually host a prolific and comprehensive lineup of exhibitions and educational programs. For the remainder of the 2026-27 season, visitors can experience a variety of exhibitions including Treasures of the Pharaohs which includes 130 works spanning 3,000 years of history; Azzedine Alaïa: Sculpting Fashion, the first US retrospective of one of fashion’s most celebrated couturiers; A Gallery of Their Own which features a variety of photography, print, and drawings from women artists exclusively; the first solo U.S. museum exhibition from painter Nengi Omuku; and Andrew Wyeth: Spectacular Freedom, featuring nearly 80 watercolor works, many of which have never been on view. These exhibitions, in addition to the plethora of art on display, offer visitors the opportunity to experience artistic perspectives, historical periods, and creative practices in many different forms.
The de Young Museum collections include the most comprehensive survey of American art in the American West, international textile arts and costumes, photography, and art of the Americas, Oceania, and Africa. In 2005, the museum’s expansion and new facilities by Herzog & de Meuron reframed the museum by engaging it with the surrounding park and creating a setting that explores the diversity and intersection of different cultures. The Legion of Honor, built in 1924, is situated on the headlands of Lands End overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. Its collections include The Thinker and other masterworks by August Rodin, European decorative arts and paintings, Ancient art, and one of the largest collections of prints and drawings in the country. The Penny and James Coulter Objects Conservation Center, the Sardegna Paintings Center, the George and Marie Hecksher Textiles Conservation Center, and the Paper Conservation Center support and complement the museums’ collections, providing preservation and scientific study that is both culturally sensitive and authentic.
FAMSF provides an expansive variety of community-centered public programs and educational opportunities for visitors, educators, and learners of all ages. FAMSF’s commitments to engage new and diverse audiences include Free Saturdays, a free general admission day for Bay Area residents; the annual de Youngsters Day Out; and concerts featuring the 1924 Legion of Honor Spreckels Organ. FAMSF encourages meaningful artistic experiences, uplifts educators, and collaborates with community groups, schools, and city organizations through a rich array of programs.
The Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums (COFAM) is a private 501(c)3 organization that raises funds for and manages most of the day-to-day operations of the museums. COFAM has a 47-member Board of Trustees led by Board Chair David Spencer, and Thomas P. Campbell serves as Director and CEO. FAMSF has an 11-member Board of Trustees led by President David Spencer.
Community
San Francisco is home to over 825,000 residents and one of the world’s most distinctive and innovative metropolitan cities. The San Francisco Bay Area is a popular destination for those seeking gorgeous landscapes, some of the world’s finest wines, waterfront towns, nightlife, and diverse cuisines, coupled with top-tier educational institutions, distinguished arts and culture organizations, and innovative workforce options. The nine-county Bay Area is home to approximately 7.8 million ethnically diverse residents; approximately three-fifths of the region’s residents are Latinx/Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, and African American. San Francisco is situated on the ancestral lands of the Ramaytush people, Arts and culture are central to the region’s identity. The Bay Area is home to major cultural institutions, internationally recognized festivals, and a strong ecosystem of artists, arts organizations, and music education institutions. Community engagement in the arts is deeply valued, supported by robust K–12 arts education and a thriving adult amateur music-making community.
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco’s largest public park, anchors the city’s cultural and recreational life, housing major museums, gardens, and gathering spaces. Together, these qualities make San Francisco and the Bay Area an inspiring place to live, work, and lead, particularly for those drawn to creativity, social impact, and community-centered leadership. The Bay Area is a global hub for cutting-edge technology and a major center for Climate Tech and Cleantech, home to hundreds of companies developing sustainable products and environmental solutions. The region features one of the densest concentrations of premier research universities and federal research laboratories in the nation, anchored by Stanford University, UC Berkeley, UCSF, and several national labs. San Francisco remains a global epicenter for AI, software, life sciences, and biotech, while continuing to serve as the financial services capital of the West Coast.
Sources: bayareaequityatlas.org; visitcalifornia.com; goldengatepark.com; census.gov; worldpopulationreview.com; sfchamber.com; culturedata.org
Position Summary
The Director of Digital Experience (DDE), reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer, is responsible for spearheading the development, implementation, and evolution of integrated digital programs that enhance the visitor’s experience of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. The DDE leads an overall team of eleven members and has six direct reports across a comprehensive range of digital initiatives supporting the museum. Through the leadership of all digital platforms, the DDE increases the public’s awareness of, and engagement with the museum’s brand, exhibitions, collection, educational content, and public programs, including support of the Museums’ earned and contributed revenue goals.
This role leads deployment of key initiatives across all digital channels, including website, social media, web apps, film, and exhibition content, aligned with the goals of the Marketing, Communications, Visitor Experience, Curatorial, Public Programs, Collections, Development, and other teams. The DDE is responsible for the strategic evolution of digital content, including digital storytelling, film, the museum visitor journey (Bloomberg Connects), deployment of digital exhibition features, and digital collections access and management. They play a key role in supporting the museum’s financial health by ensuring positive online user experiences, including earned and contributed revenue generated through digital enterprise. The DDE is also a partner in driving change and innovation, driving digital transformation initiatives across the organization, enabling the Museums to be more agile, efficient and financially sustainable.
The DDE is a key partner to museum leaders of the Museums’ digital enterprise systems, digital databases (including the Collection), and digital asset management systems. They work closely with the IT and Data Services team to align project management, data integration, testing, and reporting. The DDE develops and leads budgeting, resource allocation, quality control, and long-range planning for all digital initiatives. They work with Corporate Partners to find digital solutions for collaborations and special initiatives. Near-term large-scale digital initiatives include modernization and accessibility of the digital Collection assets, the modernization of e-mail, and the updating of the website to reflect the contemporary brand of the Museums and an improved visitor journey.
As a broad-thinking leader, the role manages a diverse portfolio of teams without requiring hyper-detailed expertise in every subject matter, focusing instead on integrated digital strategy, product scoping, development, launch, and risk management. The DDE provides supervision, mentorship, and performance management for direct reports, fostering accountability, clarity of roles, and strong leadership across teams. They cultivate and sustain a high-performing, service-oriented departmental culture grounded in collaboration, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.
Role and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Envisions, develops, and implements a comprehensive digital experience roadmap for the Museums that supports key institutional strategic priorities, especially those aimed at raising the institution’s profile and enhancing audience engagement with its collection and programming. Ensures that digital initiatives are fully integrated with the strategic-planning process, including leadership commitment and resource allocation.
- As a member of the leadership team, drives digital innovation, fostering a culture of iteration and experimentation, and championing the use of digital technology across the organization. Builds internal leadership alignment across the museum and attends and presents at Board of Trustee meetings as needed. Collaborates with the Development team to identify funding opportunities to support digital initiatives.
- Leads and coordinates digital product initiatives including website redesigns, the creation of new web features, management of the digital visitor guide platform (Bloomberg Connects), exhibition-enhancing digital experiences and mobile applications, in collaboration with stakeholders from across the institution, with the goal of enhancing overall visitor engagement. Sets digital project priorities and timelines, identifying resources, outlining deliverables, and communicating expectations internally.
- Based on the FAMSF mission, brand identity, audience goals, and overall content strategy, generates and executes a dynamic digital content strategy for the Museums, crafting engaging narratives and digital engagement opportunities around the Museums’ collections, exhibitions, and programs. Oversees the successful execution of FAMSF’s digital content strategy, including web content, social media campaigns, video production, and interactive experiences, with a focus on Museum storytelling for a general audience.
- Embrace other Strategic Leadership responsibilities as needed.
Digital Operations & Technical Leadership
- Oversees the management of key digital technology databases, including the collections information database (TMS, The Museum System) and digital asset management system (Media Studio), to ensure data integrity and smooth integration with FAMSF’s website and other digital platforms. Responsible for delivering projects on time and on budget and reporting on necessary grant compliance.
- Acts as the primary point of contact for large-scale web and interactive projects with outside agencies and internal teams. Creates project proposals and timelines, writes RFPs, identifies agencies, vendors, and tech partners for the museums. Oversees production timelines, budgets, creative and technical requirements for projects ranging from special microsites to larger web refreshes and video initiatives.
- Oversees digital user research, A/B testing, and data analysis, providing relevant data-driven recommendations to iterate on digital product and content offering. Supervises processes for SEO/GEO management, Google Analytics, and social media analytics tracking. Reports on key performance indicators for each department. Tracks key metrics and optimizes results throughout the year.
- Consults and collaborates with colleagues on the IT and Data Services teams on hosting services for the Museums’ web applications, and partners across the Marketing division to optimize cross-departmental usage and seamless integration of digital tools and technology: CRM (Salesforce), ticketing systems (Ticketure), Image rights and collection management (TMS, Media Studio).
- Embrace other Digital Operations & Technical Leadership responsibilities as needed.
Departmental Leadership, Financial Management & Digital Innovation
- Ensures all public-facing digital products and platforms adhere to modern web accessibility standards, inclusive design practices, and scalable framework models.
- Directly manages and supervises a team including: Web Product team, Web team, Digital Media Production team, Social Media team, Film team, Collections Information Services team, Digital Asset Management team, and others, as needed. Promotes cross-functional communication, shared problem-solving, and transparency across departments to strengthen institutional effectiveness.
- Manages the cohesive department budget and tracks each subcategory budget to ensure initiatives are delivered on time and within budget. Collaborates with Development and corporate giving on grant reporting and solicitation.
- Keeps abreast of technology trends, early adoption opportunities, and best practices (including pilot use-cases for emerging technologies like AI tools). Identifies tech firms and start-ups for the museums to partner with in order to execute the digital roadmap. On behalf of FAMSF, participates and presents at national and international conferences and coverings around art, tech, digital engagement, and immersive and interactive experiences to build the institution’s reputation as a leader in the field.
- Embrace other Departmental Leadership, Financial Management & Digital Innovation responsibilities as needed.
Soft Skills
- Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
- Ability to communicate complex development or technical issues/needs to leadership and other decision makers.
- Ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects, achieve organizational goals, maintain commitments, and meet strict deadlines in a highly demanding and fast-paced work environment.
- A high level of initiative, problem-solving skills, and project management capabilities.
- Ability to analyze and integrate information from relevant sources, utilize data analytics, and incorporate changes or make appropriate decisions.
- Ability to respond to changing circumstances and priorities in a focused and timely manner, and to proactively address issues as they arise.
- Experience and proven ability to diplomatically build consensus, navigate diverse stakeholder priorities, and work effectively within a cross-departmental team.
- Proven track record of building and managing a large team, highly diverse portfolio of direct reports with a demonstrated ability to coach, inspire, and uplift a multi-disciplinary team without needing to be a niche subject-matter expert in every discipline.
- Strong communicator with proven success advocating for teams and building support across an organization.
Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university or equivalent experience is required, alongside seven years of experience leading digital product and content initiative teams in a mission-driven environment. Experience developing and implementing long-term digital strategies for public-facing brands or institutions, including comprehensive multi-year digital plans aligned with institutional strategic goals, supported by detailed plans to guide cross-departmental coordination, resource allocation, and timely execution, is essential. Demonstrated experience acting as a digital product leader, taking digital tools from concept to launch, which may include: experience with emerging technologies and developing in-person tech activations that enhance a physical space; experience working with teams or developing digital products like websites, mobile apps, or interactive apps or screens (AR/VR, etc.); experience with and focus on storytelling through media for a general audience, whether that is through video, interactive experiences, social campaigns, etc.; experience with social media campaigns and strategy, with a working understanding of how digital platforms layer into traditional marketing media mixes; working understanding of the social media landscape and how different platforms interact/overlap; experience working with agencies to produce digital products and experiences.
Experience in museums or mission-driven institutions with matrixed leadership is a plus, as well as experience with TMS, Media Studio, Salesforce, Ticketure, enterprise email marketing platforms, and other technology platforms.
Compensation and Benefits
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco provides a competitive and equitable compensation package. The range for the annual salary is estimated between $140,000 and $160,000. Employee benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays; health, long-term disability, and life insurance; a voluntary 401(k) retirement plan; and relocation assistance. The DEE is required to be onsite four days a week.
Applications and Inquiries
To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred), please visit https://artsconsulting.com/opensearches/fine-arts-museums-of-san-francisco-seeks-director-of-digital-experience/
The Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums (COFAM) is the privately funded nonprofit corporation which supports the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, a department of the City and County of San Francisco. COFAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in all phases of employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws.
- Director of Development – Ballet Hispánico via TOC Arts Partners
About the Opportunity
Ballet Hispánico, the nation’s leading American Latino dance company, seeks a new Director of Development. This is an exciting opportunity for a fundraising leader who has an abundant passion for dance and the performing arts, a deep appreciation of Latine culture, and an inherent understanding of philanthropy to inspire a wide range of individuals in their commitment to the organization. While the Director of Development will be a capable team leader and project manager, they will also be adept in communicating the value and impact of an organization as unique as this one.
Based in New York City, Ballet Hispánico maintains a facility on the upper west side of Manhattan that encompasses a School of Dance, offering more than 100 classes each week, and rehearsal studios, utilized by the Company and a wide variety of artists through a rental program. At the same time, the Company captivates audiences across the U.S. and beyond, through its extensive touring calendar, which includes a season at New York’s City Center each spring. Through its Community Arts Partnerships, Ballet Hispánico reaches close to 30,000 community members via 200+ educational programs and offering 1,100 free tickets to New York City performances each year. The incoming Director of Development will have the opportunity to celebrate and harness the power of these accomplishments and Ballet Hispánico’s local and global impact. Gaining a department of three under them, and a strong collaborative partnership with the executive team, this leader will arrive eager and energized to advance institutional and individual philanthropic relationships.
About Ballet Hispánico
Ballet Hispánico is the largest cultural institution of its kind in the United States. For over five decades, it has been a beacon of artistic excellence, celebrated for its bold repertory and exceptional training programs. The Company has commissioned over 100 original works, performed on the world’s most prestigious stages, and inspired generations through performances, education, and community engagement. Recognized as one of America’s Cultural Treasures by the Ford Foundation, Ballet Hispánico continues to redefine what it means to be an American dance company.
At the helm is Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro, a former Ballet Hispánico dancer and acclaimed choreographer who assumed leadership in 2009. Under his dynamic guidance, the Company has entered a new era—broadening its artistic scope, deepening its repertory, and elevating its distinctive movement language. Vilaro carries forward the founding vision of Tina Ramirez, who launched Ballet Hispánico in 1970 to celebrate the beauty of Latino cultures through dance. Today, Ballet Hispánico stands not only as a cultural institution, but as a movement—pushing the boundaries of performance while honoring the traditions that shaped its legacy.
For more information about Ballet Hispánico, please visit http://www.ballethispanico.org.
Job Description
The Director of Development will direct and expand all aspects of Ballet Hispánico’s development activities, including donor cultivation and stewardship, annual and special gift campaigns, the annual gala, and institutional giving from foundations, corporations, and government agencies. They will be an organized communicator and manager, comfortable partnering with leadership to move strategies forward, and knowledgeable about working with boards. Individual Giving and major gift solicitations will be central to their responsibilities and skill set. However, overseeing institutional giving processes, furthering event strategy, and building an annual development plan will be integral components of this position. While they will have the chance to honor the historic legacy of this important company, they will also need to be forward-thinking, curious about alternate methods to attract a wider circle of donors and engage the community in meaningful ways. They will oversee an Associate Director of Institutional Advancement, Associate Director of Individual Giving, a Special Events & Development Associate, and part-time major gifts officer.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy and Leadership
- Partner with the Chief Managing Director and the Artistic Director and CEO in their vision for the future of Ballet Hispánico, to be another resonant advocate for the organization’s mission
- Develop a keen understanding of the organization, its programs, priorities, and strategic direction
- Construct a comprehensive and compelling development plan that promotes a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization, engages a variety of team members and stakeholders, and ultimately expands support for the organization
- Participate as an active contributing member of the Senior Management Team and steward of the organization’s resources
- Identify opportunities to leverage Ballet Hispánico’s uniqueness and expand its traditional base of philanthropic support, employing the entire range of development tactics and strategies
- Serve as a visible representative for Ballet Hispánico at performances, showings, industry events, and other gatherings
Fundraising
- Lead strategic planning for the 60th Anniversary Campaign in 2030 and work closely with the Chair of the Board of Directors, Chief Managing Director, and Artistic Director and CEO to cultivate relationships with and secure gifts from prospects and donors
- Develop and implement strategies that maximize productive relationships with current and new donors and grow all sources of funding in support of Ballet Hispánico’s ambitious vision for the future
- Build the individual giving program, cultivating relationships with existing donors as well as identifying, cultivating, and soliciting new individual donors
- Maintain a portfolio of major gift prospects, identifying, managing, cultivating, and soliciting gifts
- Develop strategies to expand the planned giving program
- Elevate institutional funding relationships, overseeing certain funding communications, meeting with funders, and identifying new and prospective private foundations and public funders
- Cultivate and secure corporate sponsorships for the organization’s activities, special events, and program development initiatives
- Oversee the planning and execution of special events, including the annual gala, the New York City performance season, and smaller events throughout the year
- Remain informed about trends in philanthropy and ensure best practices are adopted by the organization
Board Relations
- Partner with the Artistic Director and CEO, Chief Managing Director, and Chair of the Board of Directors on board development, while maintaining positive relationships with the board that further philanthropic partnerships
- Collaborate with Ballet Hispánico’s various board committees to maximize their involvement with the organization and its development programs
Management and Operations
- Assess, support, and motivate the development team, providing inspiration and self-confidence, encouraging professional development, and serving as a mentor
- Create short- and long-range plans and set clear, ambitious, but attainable performance goals for the development team and individual team members
- Develop and oversee the development budget, track revenue, and manage expenses
- Ensure that software systems are in place and optimized for donor and prospect tracking, research, reports, acknowledgement, and stewardship
Qualifications
- Progressively responsible leadership experience in non-profit institutions, preferably in the performing or visual arts
- Confidence in working collaboratively with passionate, driven, and creative senior leaders
- A track record of setting goals and achieving them, while driving philanthropic growth
- Strategic planning experience including an ability to craft, drive, and implement philanthropic strategic plans, while obtaining consensus from multiple stakeholders
- Effective management skills with an ability to lead, motivate, and mentor a team focused on ambitious fundraising goals
- Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to influence, inspire, and build productive relationship with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
- Experience as a successful frontline fundraiser, including comfort and confidence working with major donors and high-net-worth individuals
- Knowledge of working with boards and an ability to leverage the time, talent, and resources of board members
- Strong listening, verbal, written, and public speaking skills and an ability to articulate Ballet Hispánico’s mission across platforms to diverse audiences
- Fluency with technology and an ability to analyze trends and adapt as needed
- Comfortable working within a fast-paced environment, while effectively managing multiple complex projects
- Familiarity with the metropolitan New York City philanthropic and business communities
- An ability to communicate in Spanish is preferred, but not required
Compensation
The salary for this position is $150,000-170,000. Employees have access to generous health insurance plans, a 403b plan with an employer match, a flexible spending account, and substantial paid time off.
This position is in New York City. As a community connector, Ballet Hispánico is an organization built on access to the arts with person-to-person interactions in its facilities at 167 West 89th Street. This Upper West Side location serves as Ballet Hispánico’s cultural, historic, and institutional home. All Ballet Hispánico staff members have roles requiring in-person attendance on Monday through Thursday. Employees may work remotely on Fridays as part of the organization’s hybrid work policy.
Ballet Hispánico is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
Application Instructions
The Director of Development search is being conducted on behalf of Ballet Hispánico by TOC Arts Partners, a national consultancy aligning strategies, structures, and leadership toward a thriving cultural sector. The search is being led by Senior Strategist Brenna Thomas, in consultation with and support from the TOC Arts Partners search team.
To apply, visit the online application and submit your materials. Your cover letter should include any training or experience relevant to the job profile that you would like to highlight, why you consider yourself a good fit for this opportunity, and anything else you’d like us to know about your qualifications that may not be present in your resume.
For general questions or nominations of prospective candidates, please contact searchteam@tocartspartners.com. We kindly request no phone calls.
Specific questions about the position may be directed to:
Brenna Thomas
Senior Strategist
brenna@tocartspartners.comApplications will be accepted until this role is filled. We encourage you to apply by August 10, 2026, for priority consideration. Interviews may begin at any time, and we encourage you to apply as early as possible for best consideration. Please note that applying before the priority deadline does not guarantee an interview, and all applicants will receive a response regarding the consideration and status of their candidacy.
Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that cis men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria, while others tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.
We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. So, whether you’re returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.
- Four Supreme Court Justices’ Book Deals Sank a Copyright Case
Good Morning,
Sotomayor, Gorsuch, Barrett and Jackson recused themselves from a Supreme Court case on foreign music copyrights, leaving no quorum. The court gave no reason; the watchdog Fix the Court points out that all four have book deals with Penguin Random House, a party to the case (NPR). Meanwhile a law firm representing more than 2,200 authors, including Jacqueline Winspear, author of the Maisie Dobbs mysteries, is suing Meta one author at a time, seeking up to $150,000 per work where the Anthropic class settlement pays roughly $3,000 (Publishers Weekly).
Boréal, the Canadian publisher of Haitian Canadian novelist Thélyson Orélien, ended its relationship with him after an outside analysis of his drafts found AI tags in the metadata; he denies the book was machine-written (The Guardian). Owl & Co., a consulting firm, counts AI in 3 percent of vertical microdrama releases outside China in the first quarter, 28 percent in the second quarter and two-thirds in the third (The Hollywood Reporter).
Opera Australia’s 15-year partnership with Haruhisa Handa’s foundation, which gave more than $15 million and named its Sydney Harbour productions, ends December 31; Aida returns there in March under HSBC’s name instead (ArtsHub).
Judi Dench, 91, told BBC Radio 4 she can no longer read, perform or recognise faces because of macular degeneration, and that she is still “besotted by” Shakespeare’s sonnets (The Guardian).
All of today’s stories below. See you tomorrow.
- Sacha Baron Cohen Insists That “Ali G: Who Iz I?” Is His Final Guerrilla Comedy
“He’s adamant. No more Borat. No more Bruno. No more Ali G. … He’s tired of hoodwinking people to expose their prejudices, and he’s even more tired of the death threats that periodically follow. … Eventually his luck will run out.” Problem is, he’s said this many times before. – The Hollywood Reporter
- Opera Australia Loses Major Philanthropist Support For Harbor Opera
Japanese billionaire philanthropist Dr Haruhisa Handa is ending his 15-year partnership with Opera Australia, closing a significant chapter in the history of one of the company’s most recognisable flagship events, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour.- ArtsHub
- The International Dance League Is Trying To Make Dance Into A Competitive Sport. Is It Working?
Evidently so. “Since its official opener in May, the IDL has secured a media rights deal with ESPN and garnered more than 2 billion views on social media. … Almost every stop on the season tour sold out; the Los Angeles finals sold out in 15 minutes.” – Dance Magazine
- Chicago Shakespeare Theatre Leader Moves On
Kimberly Motes, the executive director of Chicago Shakespeare Theater since 2023, is leaving her position in mid-November to become president and CEO of Hennepin Arts in Minneapolis. – Chicago Tribune
- Kennicott: The New LACMA Is A Train Wreck
He has achieved what many curators, scholars and museum professionals dream of: A museum that decontextualizes art, mixes it all up in a giant cauldron of visual distraction and isolates it from history and culture. But why? How could this happen to one of the country’s great art collections? – Washington Post (MSN)
- The Creative Mindset
Actively shaping this perception, rather than only letting it shape you, is a big part of what makes you creative. You need to actively create an attitude that enables you to do work amidst your circumstances, or even transcending it. – 3 Quarks Daily
- How Lance Oppenheim Gets Extraordinary, Un-Documentary-Like Scenes Like The Ones In “You Can See Everything”
“Being vulnerable with his subjects generally inspires them to return the favor. … He’s seen subjects go to trial, face romantic rejection, and lose their jobs on-camera; he’s also been holed up in a dingy motel bathroom while two of them had sex in the other room.” – New York Magazine (MSN)
- Can Opera On The Screen Be Successful?
This is the 75th anniversary of the first opera made for television: Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, broadcast at Yuletide in 1951 and watched by five million people across the US in a production sponsored by Hallmark. – The Guardian
- Two Thirds Of Microdrama Videos Are AI-Created
The prevalence of AI in microdramas is reflected in the top-performing titles that Owl & Co. found for the latest quarter on apps that require viewers to pay for their stories. – The Hollywood Reporter
- Music Copyright Case Fails At Supreme Court As Four Justices Recuse Themselves
No quorum, because four of the nine justices recused themselves. The court did not explain why Sonia Sotomayor, Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett and Ketanji Brown Jackson stepped away from the case. – NPR
- The Scene In “Lincoln In The Bardo” That Told Missy Mazzoli It Could Be An Opera
At one point, those stuck in the bardo see multiple versions of people important to them, urging them to move on. “I just pictured this cascade of people who were entering, and leaving, and singing, and then singing together and then singing by themselves,” Mazzoli says. – The Washington Post (MSN)
- Research: Why AI Won’t Replace Humans At Creativity
While AI can bypass years of artistic training, it cannot replace the transformative experiences that give creativity its deeper meaning. The research suggests that the future of art may lie less in producing impressive works and more in using technology to inspire exploration, meaningful experiences and new ways of seeing the world. – TechExplore
- Spotify Reports Revenue, Subscriber Gains, Says It Will Thrive In The AI World
Co-CEO Gustav Söderström said: “Spotify is in one of the few categories that actually stands to thrive in the agentic age. This is because agents excel at replacing and taking care of things people would rather not do. People love getting rid of chores. But entertainment is the opposite. – The Hollywood Reporter
- Judi Dench Says She Can’t Perform Anymore Because Of Diminished Eyesight
“I can’t be on stage. I can’t do a play any more. I can’t do a film any more. I can’t read any more,” the 91-year-old actor told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Thursday. – The Guardian
- This Year’s Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Booted From The National Mall, Thrived On A Nine-Month U.S. Tour
“Clifford Murphy, the director of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, which runs the festival, called it a ‘democratizing experience’ — one that added up to more than just making lemons into lemonade.” – The New York Times
- Colombia’s National Museum Is The First Casualty In The New President’s Culture War
Last week, Abelardo de la Espriella, a far-right politician sworn in as President in August, declared a “cultural counterrevolution” and had dozens of artworks and historical objects removed from the Museo Nacional in Bogotá. In response, some 62,000 people demonstrated in the capital, arguing that the President’s action violates Colombia’s 1991 Constitution. – Artnet
- California’s Massive Tax Break To Stop Film Production From Leaving The State Isn’t Working (Yet)
“California’s $750 million bet on Hollywood has not reversed the overall decline in production, according to data released Wednesday by FilmLA. Instead, production levels fell 3.7% in the third quarter — even as the share of projects receiving state subsidies continued to rise. Location shoots remain well below the five-year average.” – Variety
- Hundreds Of Authors Skip Class Action Case And Sue Meta/Facebook Individually
“Nearly 300 authors filed (separate) copyright infringement claims against Meta Platforms on October 19 in (Federal court in San Francisco), alleging the company trained its AI models on pirated copies of their books and, more recently, on physical books it bought and scanned without a license.” – Publishers Weekly
- Broadway Contributes $21 Billion To NYC Economy: Study
The latest report from the Broadway League, covering the 2024-25 season, also found that the Broadway theater industry supported 114,600 full-time equivalent jobs and generated $979 million in taxes for the city. – Deadline
- Now Staff At All Four V&A Museums In London Will Strike
“Unionized staff across all four branches of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London announced their intention to strike on October 29 and 30, citing stalled negotiations and allegations of ‘Amazon-style’ working conditions at the newly-opened V&A East Storehouse.” – ARTnews
- Publisher Cuts Ties With Author Thélyson Orélien Over Alleged AI Use In His Hit Novel
“Orélien has denied allegations that he used AI on his breakthrough novel (C’était ça ou mourir) and, last week, Canadian publisher Les Éditions du Boréal said it was standing by the 38-year-old writer. But on Wednesday, Boréal said it had conducted a further investigation” and concluded that Thélyson did use AI. – The Guardian
- A Maverick Pedagogical Proposition
- Is Caryl Churchill’s Latest Play About One Of Trump’s Succession Of Blonde Press Secretaries?
“Triumph, which has opened at London’s Almeida Theatre, is Churchill’s latest piece of explosive minimalism. Running at just 20 minutes, it skewers contemporary barbarism (via) historical analogy and is a reminder that Churchill … has in recent years developed a form of elliptical drama for which the apt word might be compressionism.” – The Guardian
- Broadway Has A Strong Week
Hamilton was the top grossing show of the week with $2.8 million, followed by The Lion King with $2 million. MJ was the fourth highest grossing with $1.76 million, followed by the Bowen Yang-led Oh, Mary! with $1.5 million. – The Hollywood Reporter
- Hong Kong Overhauls Its System For Performing Arts Funding, And Groups Are Nervous
Since 2008, the territory’s government has funded nine designated major performing arts groups, including the Hong Kong Ballet, Philharmonic, and Repertory Theatre. The city’s chief executive has announced a planned change to a more flexible, “merit-based” system which would make room for more organizations. – South China Morning Post (Hong Kong)
- Arundhati Roy On The AI End Game
Remember how, in Thailand and Indonesia, the ocean drew back from the coastline? People ran out to marvel at the miles of pristine new beach that suddenly emerged, not realising that, far out at sea, a wall of water was building up and would come crashing over them. – Equator
- Listeners Are Turning Against AI Music
Streaming services, notable musicians and fans are confronting the growing presence of AI-generated music and drawing lines in the sand. On Tuesday, Spotify announced it had removed about 50m songs considered AI slop from its recommendations to users over the past year. – The Guardian
- Did Hollywood Really Need Netflix?
“The movie business needed Netflix to wake up. They needed a real disruptor… Maybe we are now entering a period where the relationship works the other way around, with Netflix being inspired by the movie business. I think the two worlds are additive.” – Deadline
- To Say Goodbye To Her Dance Company, Lucy Guerin Performs Onstage For First Time In 13 Years
“I have found it incredibly confronting, to be honest,” she says, hours before the premiere. “Part of me thought I could still do all those things if I just got back in the studio and trained a bit. But I’m afraid that wasn’t the case.” – The Guardian
- Netflix Is Making Money. That’s Not Enough
For the year, Netflix said, it expects revenue growth to be 13 percent, roughly in line with its previous estimates. Shares dropped more than 5 percent in after-hours trading. The company acknowledged the undercurrent that led to the recent tumult: concern about stagnating attention time on its service. – The New York Times
- The Battles Over Jimmy Buffet’s Estate
Three years after Jimmy’s death, the family is locked in a legal dispute over that Margaritaville fortune. It has upended the fun-loving vibes the musician spent his life cultivating, with the family seeming rudderless without Jimmy as their figurehead, according to court documents and interviews. – The Wall Street Journal
- Remember This When Voting in the Midterms . . .<a href="https://www.artsjournal.com/herman/2026/10/remember-this-when-voting-in-the-midterms.html" title="Remember This When Voting in the Midterms .
