New Ideas
Here you'll find behavior-based strategies, hospitality-driven mindset shifts, and honest reflections from inside the arts sector.
Whether you're leading a department or wearing all the hats, these blogs are designed to give you a fresh perspective on how to connect with your audience and help you feel less overwhelmed.
What a Cuban Dance Company, Mountain Dew, and Hamilton Have Have in Common
Trend Tethering is the practice of identifying where culture is already moving and anchoring your arts marketing and programming to it intentionally. This post breaks down why trends spread, the difference between a trend and a fad, and why most performing arts organizations miss the window. Part 1 of a two-part series for arts marketing leaders.
Roundtable Notes: AI, Marketing, & Websites
How are arts organizations using AI for marketing in 2026? We co-hosted a candid conversation with Dream Warrior Group and arts leaders from Chicago, Vancouver, and Phoenix to answer exactly that — covering AI search optimization, Reddit's surprising rise, and practical tools real teams are using today. Get the notes and watch the presentation.
The AI Search Cheat Sheet for Arts Marketers
What ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Grok, Copilot, and Perplexity actually reward when deciding who gets cited — and what to do about it.
Roundtable Notes: Arts X Sports Mixer
Arts and sports organizations have more in common than you'd think, and more to learn from each other than most realize. This roundtable brought together marketing and audience development leaders from both worlds to compare notes on loyalty, subscriptions, community building, and what it actually takes to turn a first-time visitor into a lifelong supporter.
Behind the Buy: Here’s How Using Concreteness Will Help You Sell More Tickets
Concrete language sells more tickets. Learn how the psychology of specificity helps arts organizations write marketing copy that moves people to act.
Roundtable Notes: What’s Your Game Plan for Smarter Ticket Prices?
If ticket pricing feels like a puzzle — between revenue goals, accessibility, and patron trust — you’re not alone. In this Roundtable Discussion, smart arts leaders shared what’s working: smarter testing (without scaring your audience), messaging that makes pricing feel fair, and small shifts that can move buying behavior in a big way.
Behind the Buy: Your Pricing Psychology Cheat Sheet
Ticket pricing is a puzzle. Some organizations crunch with layers of spreadsheets. Others go with their gut. Nearly everyone brings their own complicated feelings about money to the table.
Add inflation and it can feel impossible to deterimne the right price.
Explore ways to make your prices more appealing to your audience — no matter what the dollar amount is.
Roundtable Notes: How are You Turning Tech Resistance Into Delight?
Change doesn’t have to be an upbattle. Arts leaders shared how they’re helping audiences feel confident and excited about using digital tools — turning frustration into ease and a better audience experience.
Behind the Buy: Why It’s Hard to Change & Adopt New Tech (and What Helps Your Audience Do It)
Habits, stress, and sunk costs—not stubbornness—are what make people resist new technology.
From the psychology of familiarity to the power of a well-timed nudge, here’s how to help your audience say “yes” to change (and actually mean it).
Roundtable Notes: What’s Your 25/26 Loyalty Plan?
Arts leaders at our September 17 Executive Roundtable dug into new research on retention, the power of the second visit, and practical ways to make audiences feel welcome. From automations to alumni ambassadors, the discussion surfaced both data and hands-on tactics for building loyalty that lasts.