For those of you who know me, and for those of you who do not (yet), it is not a secret how passionate and determined I have been throughout my professional career in the arts to help artists not only survive but make a difference with the talents they have. And yet, I cannot say often enough, it is...

There’s a fascinating article up over at the Atlantic today on how the Grateful Dead were utilizing many more contemporary business tactics before they even existed.  Things like allowing their fans to tape and share live shows, social networking and more.  For independent producers, freelancers...

OK… so I changed my mind. I am allowed to right?  I spent almost a year with interns  building The ETA Resource Center for you. I thought given how much time and money it cost me to build — almost $4000.00, a true labor of love– that it was worth the price of admission. Admission...

If you crave celebrity, this post is for you. It is no surprise when I say that our country is obsessed with celebrity. Celebrity sells and celebrity images are pumped out to the point of exhaustion. I think that most young artists, if honest with themselves, would admit to having celebrity lust. They,...

I have read and re-read these two blog posts- one by ultra conservative art critic, Roger Kimball, and the other written by film maker, Patrick Courrielche, about The NEA working closely with the White House. I simply don’t understand what the hoopla is all about? What? Our government IS NOT ALLOWED...

First, a big thanks to fellow ETA blogger David Cutler for featuring Fifth House Ensemble in his new book, the Savvy Musician, advance copies of which are available on his website prior to the full release in November. If you’ve been reading his posts, you know that David brings an incredible energy...

Fast Company just released their 100 most creative people in business list. What can we learn about the arts and creativity in business from this list? Here are a few things I learned: Out of 100 individuals selected 22 artists ( or those from what is considered classic artistic disciplines) made the...

Although a friend of mine, former Dean of The Eastman School of Music, Robert Freeman, was under consideration to run the NEA, I think this could be a very interesting and productive appointment. Let’s pray it is.. we need someone to be outspoken and determined to shake things up for the benefit...

Susan Boyle and this article below touched a raw nerve for me. What is wrong with our world to judge ones artistic capacity by ones style (or lack there of), or body shape or weight? Many have said about Susan Boyle ” Oh an ugly woman who can sing!” Does this kind of statement not speak...

The following updates appeared on Judith H. Dobrzynski’s blog, Real Clear Arts I know we all want to believe that the Obama Administration will do wonders for the arts and humanities. But so far, the news is not so good. Yes, the $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts in the stimulus...

So is there anyone in the arts who isn’t in need of reinventing their profession? Certainly filmmakers, too, have their set of challenges in this changing world, not unlike authors, actors and musicians. This article, written by Sharon Waxman, offers some insights and perhaps some interesting new...

ETA Blog reader Donna Kemmetmueller, sent us this delightful article today and with it a note that read: “I am more attentive these days to the ways that artists can be incorporated into bigger business. I was delighted, then, to find this site.”: http://www.canoeing.com/canoes/feature/novacraftcomp.htm I...

This article was written by Lee Rosenbaum. It appeared in ArtsJournal on 3/10/09. Is anyone else tired of nothing but bad news? ********************************************************************************************************* The National Endowment for the Art’s recently unveiled report...

This article was written by Robert McCrum and appeared in The Observer, Sunday 8 March 2009 ************************************************************************************************************** After the fear, the grip of this recession on our collective imagination is all to do with its cliffhanger...

I received this email today from my friend at University of Texas- Austin, Rick Cherewitz. Rick and I met when I spoke to UT students about a year ago about arts entrepreneurship. Rick and I immediately connected around his concepts of Ie- Intellectual Entrepreneurship. Ie offers higher education an...

Written by SIMON HOUPT From Monday’s Globe and Mail on February 22, 09 NEW YORK — Thank heaven for the recession. Haven’t you heard? It’s going to do wonders for New York, not to mention cities whose prosperity is fuelled by creativity such as Toronto, Chicago and San Francisco. People...

The title of this post, “I’m not an entertainer; I’m a lot closer to a paramedic, a firefighter, a rescue worker,“ was the name of the welcome speech address given to freshman at Boston Conservatory, given by Karl Paulnack, pianist and director of music division at Boston Conservatory....

Thanks, Eva Niewiadomski from Catalyst Ranch for passing this article along! In Chicago, researchers hold finale to ‘Dance Your PhD’ Scholars put their papers into choreographed motion By Robert Mitchum | Tribune reporter February 16, 2009 The lights came up on five dancers wearing plastic...

Written by Andrew Taylor from the Artful Manager Oh My God does this article hit home. How can this question even be asked? And yet, the concern over our identity– both to ourselves and to the public– with regards to our economic ability as earners, providers for our families, is at this...

But Having Lots of Friends Won’t–Unless They Are All Happy Written by DAVID CAMERON, HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL If you’re happy and you know it, thank your friends — and their friends. And while you’re at it, their friends’ friends. But if you’re sad, hold the blame. Researchers from...