Is the Met Opera “Too Big to Fail”?
The Met Opera’s survival strategy raises urgent questions for the arts: what happens when institutions cling to scale at any cost, even if it means sacrificing integrity?
Category: Audience
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.
Reading declines – or just shifts?
Americans are reading less—but is that really a loss of curiosity, or just swapping books for Netflix and TikTok? The real question: why do people read?
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.
We don’t have to cede the culture war
Cultural influence is a means of political power. Grassroots movements shape societal beliefs and policies. We need to actively engage in promoting inclusive art and culture to challenge regressive ideologies.
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.
Broadway Isn’t Overpriced—It’s Undervalued. The Same Might Be True for You.
Young audiences crave meaningful, in-person arts experiences—but they need help seeing the value. What Broadway learned from Gen Z can help all of us reframe, not discount.
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.
Hannah Grannemann 