The Peculiar Position of Donor Advised Funds Giving is changing. Institutional philanthropy is at a global all-time high, and the increased reliance on institutional intermediaries like foundations has led to a global expansion of the sector around the world, with over 260,000 foundations existing across 39 countries as of 2018. This is a relatively recent development, as nearly three-quarters of such foundations came into being within the last 25 years. This rise in institutional philanthropy, often referred to as structured philanthropy, coincides with a reshaping of certain attitudes toward ..read more

INTRODUCTION AND RECAP OF GENERATIVE AI IN MARKETING Marketing managers are tasked with the challenge of remaining relevant in a rapidly changing society. Thanks to advances in technology that help to push the boundaries and the capabilities of our marketing efforts, marketing managers, particularly those in the arts, have a better chance of being able to keep up with the social media giants. The use of generative AI (GenAI) tools is becoming increasingly prevalent in marketing, which can be particularly useful for smaller organizations or nonprofits seeking innovative ways to engage audiences ..read more

This month, music and film are at the forefront as each battles with the future uses for burgeoning tech. While AI-generated film visuals seem to be coming up short, progress toward realistic AI-generated music is starting to send shockwaves. On the consumer side, music streaming tools are being released to allow more listening experience customization. Across the industry, artists are celebrating ways that some these new tools can enhance their work, while speaking out against potential impacts on jobs, compensation, and creative freedom. Artists push back on ai music tools AI music generatio ..read more

INTRODUCTION Generative AI (GenAI) has become increasingly integrated into marketing and communication careers, and even our daily lives, with the rise of various text-to-image (Like DALL-E, Midjourney, or Craiyon), text-to-video (Sora), & text-to-text tools (ChatGPT or Claude). As digital marketers find new and innovative ways to keep up with the trends, particularly those reaching GenZ in a quick-changing popular culture scene, how are they reacting to the rise of GenAI? Image: Human and Artificial Intelligence getting a drink together Image Source: Worklife GENERATIVE AI - PAINS AND GA ..read more

introduction Arts and cultural organizations are becoming increasingly aware of their climate impact, and many are taking action to reduce harm. Tracking, reporting, and offsetting emissions may seem like an overwhelming feat for small or mid-sized organizations, but emerging blockchain technology may help make the process more efficient and reliable.  There has been significant buzz around blockchain in recent years, and with it, much scrutiny about the associated energy consumption and environmental impact. Before using blockchain for sustainability initiatives, it’s important to consid ..read more

By: Samantha Sonnet & Ashley Offman INTRODUCTION As previously foreshadowed by Samantha in an article written in July of 2023, TikTok: Opportunity and Risk, TikTok has been under a microscope from governments across the globe for quite awhile. The analysis provided in her article is still relevant today given the recent vote to ban TikTok, and the United States House moving forward to force Chinese state-owned TikTok company ByteDance to sell their ownership of the U.S. version of TikTok, or lose access to the United States TikTok market. To fully understand the situation, this article wil ..read more

This month, the United States federal government is placing increased scrutiny on big tech regarding privacy, security, and market competition. While the Department of Justice files an antitrust suit against Apple for its hold on the smartphone market, Congress makes a bold statement with legislation potentially banning TikTok in the United States. Meanwhile, Reddit’s initial public offering may signal a move for more tech companies to go public. On a lighter note, the world of entertainment, innovative tech brings scent to the gaming experience, and artists explore blockchain to compete with ..read more

Digital strategy has become a buzzword after the explosion of AI in the last 18 months. Yet, it is not about AI. AI has been the tipping point for organizations and professionals to recognize that they must update or create a digital strategy for success. Digitally-forward arts organizations already have a digital component as part of their strategic plan. The plan is how digital technology plays a role in reaching their goals. But to get to that point, a clear understanding of how to invest in a strong tech stack and then how to leverage those technologies for success. Underpinning it all is ..read more

By: Venetia Liao introduction VR exhibitions have been on the rise for the past decade and are a frequent hot topic headline in the news. Many metrics can be measured and leveraged when evaluating a museum’s exhibition. However, when it comes to leveraging a VR exhibition in a physical museum, what metrics are currently being assessed and valued in the museum field? What are the factors that make or break a VR exhibition? These are the questions that this article aims to address and explore. Image: VR in Museum Exhibit Image Source: Forbes The Experience One main aspect that makes or bre ..read more

The MuseumNEXT Green Museum Summit, held February 26 and 27, hosted a variety of speakers from museums and cultural organizations across the globe, each which shared their unique experiences in conducting sustainability work within their organizations.  In the words of conference speaker Dr. Sarah Younan of the Amgueddfa Cymru Museum in Wales, “Museums are flashpoints of culture.” They are uniquely poised to tell stories or capture a specific moment in time, and climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time.  Younan challenges her museum community - “What kind of ance ..read more