Fundraising, Management
Ian Hawthorne
Crafting Grant Narratives - Approaches to ...

The grant narrative has become one of the most high-stakes tools of communication in the nonprofit fundraising space, driving more than $150 billion in global expenditures. As grant writers adapt their appeals in response to changing funder values, this narrative network gives shape to the nonprofit ecosystem in which many arts organizations operate.

Crafting Grant Narratives - Approaches to Justifying Arts Funding
museums, Extended Reality
Staff Researcher
Psychological Impacts of VR Experiences and ...

Exposure to nature can positively influence one’s mental well-being. As VR technology seeks to recreate elements of life, its developers and prospective adopters must keep asking one very important question: how deeply can VR impact us? And, what might the implications be for museums?

Psychological Impacts of VR Experiences and Their Implications for Museums
Arts & Technology, Digital Futures, Emerging Technology
Brett Ashley Crawford, Ph.D.
Your 2024 Favorite Reads

It is always fun to take a moment as we close out a year to compare our favorite content to the popularity contest of the web. AI, Sustainability, and Preservation with technology led the charge. Keep reading for the most popular articles and podcasts.

Your 2024 Favorite Reads
Artificial Intelligence, creative industries
Staff Researcher
Artificial Intelligence’s Involvement in the ...

As AI continues to integrate into our everyday lives, how does it impact our creativity? Many researchers and scholars agree that the technology may promote significant opportunities in this space. By introducing novel ideas and opportunities to users, it may be most effective as a tool to augment, rather than replace, human creativity.

Artificial Intelligence’s Involvement in the Human Creative Process
museums, Audience Engagement, Emerging Technology
Staff Researcher
Exploring Integration of XR in Museums to ...

Many museums have gravitated towards utilizing XR (VR, AR, or other extended reality modes) in numerous ways to enhance visitor experience. While there are successful ways to support visitor experience, it is possible that XR can have negative impacts. This article explores case studies of two museums who have integrated XR into their exhibitions: the Cleveland Museum of Art and Illinois Holocaust Museum, discusses the positive and negative facets of these technologies on visitor experience, and analyzes implications for the arts field.

Exploring Integration of XR in Museums to Enhance Visitor Experience

Analytics

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Data Cultures Part II: Breaking Free from the Cycle of Disempowerment

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Data Cultures Part II: Breaking Free from the Cycle of Disempowerment

An overemphasis on data-driven work within the nonprofit sector has been shown to result in cycles of disempowerment, driven by third-party data demands of funding bodies. This compounds due to the many market orientations nonprofits need to adopt, particularly prevalent among the arts. A key to navigating these markets and funder requirements lies in identifying a specific data culture best fit for your organization and investing in resources and training in order to achieve that framework sustainably.

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2023 Digital Fundraising Trends in the Performing Arts

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2023 Digital Fundraising Trends in the Performing Arts

Organizations’ marketing strategies and missions themselves may need to be reexamined to determine whether or not they align with the next generation of donors. There are a number of practices that organizations can start to embrace in order to expand their mission to a more diverse population while not running the risk of alienating their current support base.

Business Intelligence & Analytics in the Arts

Business Intelligence & Analytics in the Arts

The idea of collecting data is not new within the nonprofit world. Today, community-facing nonprofits are realizing how critical data collection is in achieving and reporting on their missions. According to the most recent edition of Salesforce’s Nonprofit Trends Report, organizations that ranked higher for digital maturity, or their ability to leverage data to inform decision-making, had a greater likelihood of exceeding goals during (and after) the COVID-19 pandemic. As more user-friendly technology are applied in CRM systems, the obstacles of domain knowledge are diminishing. This results in a positive implication of what these systems can do for nonprofits and how it can transform how these organizations are run. However, the lack of budget and training resources makes the obtention of these systems unlikely for many nonprofit organizations.

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A Simple Guide to Data Analytics for Nonprofits

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A Simple Guide to Data Analytics for Nonprofits

More than a trend or a buzzword, data analytics is here to stay. Newcomers to arts management may find themselves asking, what does data analytics mean for me, and how and why does my organization need to use it? If you are new to arts management, or the data world in general, this two part series is for you!

How to Prepare Your Nonprofit’s Data for Geographic Analysis

How to Prepare Your Nonprofit’s Data for Geographic Analysis

AMT Lab contributors have explored how geographic analysis can help increase programmatic effectiveness, but there are many ways nonprofits may leverage their data with geographic analysis. As with any data-based project, 90% of the work happens before it’s time to analyze. There are important intermediate steps a nonprofit administrator must take in order to leverage the full possibility of their address level data. Outlined below are 5 steps an administrator should take before delving into geographic analysis headfirst.  

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QR Code Generator: The Easy Tool for Audience Engagement and Data Collection

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Arts managers and arts organizations strive to find ways to engage their audiences.  They also benefit greatly from immediate feedback. A simple way to engage audiences and understand their experiences is to implement the use of quick response codes (QR codes).  QR codes are currently used in a variety of ways to assess understanding, interests, and collect suggestions.  For example, at Mie University, QR codes are used for formative assessment during the learning process.  Analysis of the student responses allows the university to adjust curriculum, resources, and instruction to better meet learning needs.  Organizations that wish to engage and educate their audiences often have similar objectives.  Arts managers and arts organizations that implement QR codes will gain the power to adjust to audience needs and interests in order to make the greatest impact. 

Although there are many ways to begin making QR codes, this review focuses on QR Code Generator because it immediately collects user data, is user friendly, provides elevated customization, and is competitively priced. QR Code Generator is a web application software that allows users to create their own QR codes.  

Pros of Using QR Code Generator:

Immediate Data Collection

Every time a QR code is scanned, creators receive an email.  This email will be sent to the account email address.  If a creator’s code involves audience participation or feedback, the email will include the audience responses.  Emails are sent directly after a scan so creators can get immediate feedback.  

 User Friendly

QR Code Generator is easy to navigate throughout the entire creation process.  The software guides users in a straightforward sequence as they create their QR codes.  Users can organize creations in different folders or search for past codes in the search field on the homepage.    

 

Figure 1 QR Code Generator HomepageSource: Author Screen Shot

Figure 1 QR Code Generator Homepage

Source: Author Screen Shot

Elevated Customization

QR code generator offers customization that its competitors currently do not. When creating a dynamic QR code, users can create codes that connect to MP3s, videos, websites, interactive screens, as well as other options seen in Figure 2.  QR Code Generator’s competitors, Unitag and Kaywa offer customization, but when trying to create codes, they were not as easy to use.  In Unitag and Kaywa, there were fewer customization options, and users do not have the opportunity to manipulate the visual presentation of the code as thoroughly as in QR Code Generator.  In QR Code Generator, users simply click on what they want. 

Figure 2 - QR Code Generator Code Creation PageSource: Author Screen Shot

Figure 2 - QR Code Generator Code Creation Page

Source: Author Screen Shot

Figure 3 - QR Code Generator Code Creation PageSource: Author Screen Shot

Figure 3 - QR Code Generator Code Creation Page

Source: Author Screen Shot

Con of Using QR Code Generator 

Printing Challenges

Printing clear and appropriately sized codes is essential to reaping the benefits of your investment in a QR generator.  If audiences cannot scan the code or if the code is unattractive, it will not yield desired results. If it is not getting scanned, it will also hinder data collection. In QR Code Generator, users can download their codes as PNG, JPG, SVG or EPS files.  However, if you choose to brand your code, you must download the code in PNG format.  The web application software does not offer support through the printing process.  It is up to the user to determine how they would like the product to turn out.  However, upon my experimenting, there were no technical printing issues that arose.  All prints were scannable and code size could be manipulated. 

 Purchasing Information

 Pricing and Plans

QR Code Generator has three available plans as seen in Figure 4. Pricing depends on the current Euro to dollar conversion.  Users can upgrade plans at any time and will receive a prorated refund.  If you wish to cancel your plan, be sure to do so before the next year because plans automatically renew.  

 

Figure 4QR Code Plan Comparison

Figure 4

QR Code Plan Comparison

If an arts manager or arts organization is looking for an easy way to increase audience engagement and/or collect information about the audience it serves, QR Code Generator is a tool to consider.  Its simplicity and customization options set it apart from its competitors.  Arts Managers need audience data, and the use of QR codes will enable easy collection and essential audience data analysis. 

 

Resources

“Kaywa QR Managment-Pricing.” Accessed September 17, 2018. http://qrcode.kaywa.com/page/pricing.

“QR Code Generator - New Manage.” Accessed September 17, 2018. https://app.qr-code- generator.com/manage/?login=1.

Susono, Hitoshi, and Tsutomu Shimomura. 1006 Current Developments in Technology-Assisted   Education (2006) Using Mobile Phones and QR Codes for Formative Class Assessment, n.d.

“Unitag - Connect to the World.” Unitag. Accessed September 17, 2018. http://dashboard.unitag.io.

Yarden. “Dynamic Code Vs Static Code.” Visual QR Code Generator Blog | Visualead, April 6,  2014.  http://blog.visualead.com/dynamic-code-vs-static-code/.

 “100 Euro to US Dollar, Convert 100 EUR in USD.” Accessed September 17, 2018.  https://eur.currencyrate.today/usd/100.

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New White Paper: Open Data and Data Visualization in Arts Organizations

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New White Paper: Open Data and Data Visualization in Arts Organizations

Data collection and communication is an essential tool for effectively managing arts organizations. Data visualization techniques can reveal organizational or industry insights in a manner which is easy for managers to understand and communicate to their stakeholders. Explore sources for open source data, and low cost, high impact data visualization tools in this new white paper.

Crowdsourced Digital Art Projects: Centralization and Agency

Crowdsourced Digital Art Projects: Centralization and Agency

As digital crowdsourced art continues as a mode of art making, it is necessary to developed an understanding of which features of digital arts programming are crucial in the engagement of digital audiences. The following analysis of four digital art projects focuses on the participatory, rather than the interactive, specifically projects wherein audiences become artists by participating in the creation of  a piece of art by making one or more creative contributions.  Perhaps not surprising, agency and control were identified as significant to participation. 

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A Look Back: Museum Computer Network Conference 2017

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A Look Back: Museum Computer Network Conference 2017

AMT Lab recently served as a sponsor for the Museum Computer Network Conference hosted in Pittsburgh, PA. Our contributors attended the conference and reported their most interesting findings in the field.

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How To Measure the Effectiveness of an Online Silent Auction System

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How To Measure the Effectiveness of an Online Silent Auction System

AMT Lab contributor Justin Gilmore shares his first hand experience with online silent auction system at Society for Contemporary Craft and gives advice for arts managers who are interested in evaluating the effectiveness of a system.

How Can Google Analytics Solve Operational Challenges?

How Can Google Analytics Solve Operational Challenges?

Though often used to analyze traffic and commerce, Google Analytics is a powerful tool whose applications are near-limitless. In this new handbook, AMT Lab contributor Kathleen Grennan illustrates a number of ways in which arts managers of all types can use Google Analytics to make data-driven decisions in operational settings. From obtaining new audiences to bolstering fundraising efforts, this is a good introduction to this flexible tool. Click here to find the full report.

How Can Google Analytics Help Your Arts Organization Increase Your Audience?

How Can Google Analytics Help Your Arts Organization Increase Your Audience?

Many arts organizations are constantly struggling to both bring in new patrons as well as maintain engagement among their existing base. Unfortunately, research shows that this hurdle is not going to disappear anytime soon due to a number of factors, as arts attendance has been on a steady decline in recent decades. Fortunately, Google Analytics gives arts managers the power to answer questions about their current audience demographics based on website traffic in order to both understand demographic trends and how best to target new audiences.

Utilizing Data Through Search Engine Optimization

Utilizing Data Through Search Engine Optimization

Is your arts organization maximizing it’s potential for earned income?  You may be missing out on a huge opportunity for revenue generated by your website and social media  if you are not closely monitoring your position in online search results.  For arts organizations in the 21st century, maximizing the return on investment of digital campaigns is not a matter of creating the best website, but in mastering the art of search engine optimization (SEO).

Why Your Arts Organization Should Use Google Analytics

Why Your Arts Organization Should Use Google Analytics

Arts organizations today face a host of challenges, ranging from traditional issues like budgetary constraints and limited staff to more recent concerns, such as shifting patron demographics and increased market disruption caused by the social media frenzy. How can Google Analytics solve these problems, and more? Read Kathleen Grennan's guide here.

Operatic Analytics

Operatic Analytics

It is easy to see the ways that the production and consumption of opera have changed to match the needs of the 21st century consumer.  However, it is difficult to identify similar changes reflected in the way that opera is managed. Opera companies have altered the product they are offering, but have they come up with new metrics to measure and manage their success? 

What Leaders Should be Measuring: Six New Metrics from TRG Arts

What Leaders Should be Measuring: Six New Metrics from TRG Arts

Between CRM systems, social media management, and Google Analytics, arts organizations today have access to more data than ever before. Indeed, this unprecedented access has allowed for arts leaders to measure their performance more accurately and holistically than in the past. But in this ever expanding sea of data, how does an arts leader decide what information is the most important to focus on extrapolating trends on?