When to Hold, When to Fold, When to Play a Different Game
Leading an arts organization isn’t about luck—it’s about judgment. Hold when trust matters, fold when the model’s busted, and when the casino’s rigged? Start your own game in the parking lot.
Category: Arts Experiences
You don’t have to take my word for it
You’ve heard me make the arguments, now hear from some other folks. Seema R emphasizes social media’s shortcomings in museums, Andrew Patino offers theater marketing guidance, and two writers advocate for self-promotion in arts criticism, encouraging adaptation to evolving landscapes.
Pittsburgh’s Theater Crisis—and Some Armchair Consulting
Pittsburgh’s theaters face a potential merger as audiences and funding shrink. Here’s what the crisis reveals about nonprofit theater nationwide—and why survival depends on bold changes, right-sizing, and community support.
Beyond Blanket Judgments: Presence Over Prejudice in Experiencing Art
Immersive art isn’t automatically profound — or shallow. Just like AI art, meaning depends on intent. Let’s look past blanket judgments and stay present to the experiences that truly resonate.
AI can only replace boring art
AI can replace background music and stock images—but not human-made art rooted in connection. Keeping it alive means showing up, paying attention, and valuing it before it disappears.
More on IRL Experiences: Memorable Creativity Beats Budget Busters
Continuing my advice on how to ride the cultural swing back to IRL experiences, here are three examples of memorable experiences that just have a good idea going for them.
Arts and Culture IRL: Don’t Wait for the Return—Create the Moment
Culture is swinging back. People – especially young people – crave real-life experiences. But they won’t leave home for just anything. Here’s why arts organizations need more than an IRL strategy to compete—and how to meet the moment.
Bonus Post: Your Branding Is the Foundation. Don’t Build on Mud.
Branding isn’t extra — it’s the foundation for everything else. This post explains why branding matters and links back to my full step-by-step guide on how to build yours.
What Arts Orgs Need Now: #5 You’re misusing your marketing staff time
The biggest excuse I hear about content creation? “We don’t have time.” Here’s why that thinking is outdated — and how arts orgs can start creating meaningful content now.
What Arts Orgs Need Now: #4 Training needs for marketing staffs
Marketing teams are busy — but are they focused on what matters most? This post breaks down why content creation needs to become a core marketing priority, not an afterthought.
Hannah Grannemann 