Hear from Mass Cultural Council Exec. Director in New MET Podcast on Innovation in the Arts
The arts and the economy are inextricably linked. According to Mass Cultural Council Executive Director Michael J. Bobbitt, there are roughly 112,000 people in Massachusetts alone who identify as full-time artists, making more than half of their income through their artistry. This doesn’t account for people working part-time as artists, or in education, or in arts organizations. However, less than half of those full-time artists make even half of a living wage for the state. It is a stirring reminder that, in order to thrive, artists need to invest in business skills—the kind of arts business strategies that are core components to the MS in Arts Administration at Boston University’s Metropolitan College.
A distinguished theater artist, Bobbit is the highest-ranking public official in Massachusetts state government focused on arts and culture, and he joined BU MET Arts Administration Director Douglas DeNatale for the latest episode of the MET Makes Conversation podcast, in which the two share an incisive discussion about the future of the arts, the realities of financial sustainability for nonprofits, and how to ensure resilient arts organizations in an era of rapid transformation.
In the episode “Innovation in the Arts in an Era of Transformation,” Bobbitt and DeNatale survey the modern state of the arts, a sector that has in recent years endured the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of generative AI, and evolving audience behaviors and marketing needs. Yet, they explain, these challenges have also served as a catalyst for much-needed change, exposing stubbornly entrenched practices and unsustainable business models.
To survive, arts organizations must find innovative ways to engage with their audiences, embrace technology and social media, and re-examine the importance of effective arts management and new entrepreneurial initiatives. Watch the discussion below.
Digital Transformation in the Arts
What can the arts world learn from the business model of sports?
Something the pandemic revealed, Bobbitt explained, is that the arts sector has struggled to embrace digital transformation the way other areas have. “One of the things that has impressed me about sports is when sports started streaming into people’s homes, it made it so much more accessible, and the sports industry benefited greatly from being able to come directly into people’s homes,” he says. “Everyone has a front row seat, and we didn’t glom on to that.”
It could be time for a revolution in arts streaming innovations, one that sees the arts capitalizing on the same tech sports entertainment has. “The nonprofit arts world hasn’t really picked up on the digital possibilities of what streaming can do for you, and the innovation that can happen between the live experience and the digital experience,” he added, suggesting that the future of performing arts is online.
From STEM to STEAM
Historically, education in the arts has been held separate from education in science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM. This, Bobbitt says, has done a disservice to the arts, and compounded its financial devaluing. To restore that value, the field should introduce a new paradigm—STEAM, which adds “arts” to the equation.
After all, unlocking creativity is a rare exponential amplifier on growth—across the board.
“The thing about the arts, to me, is there’s only one other sector that touches everything and creates a benefit and external benefit, and that’s technology. You can’t say that about any other sector,” he says. “And so that’s a there’s a huge value to that.”
Forward-thinking arts administrators can lead this charge by advocating for increased investment in creative industries and designing programs that blend artistic vision with business strategy. Whether you want to manage a museum, run a performing arts center, or develop innovative arts policy, a master’s in arts administration equips you with the skills to navigate this shifting landscape.
Your Role in the Future of the Arts
A master’s degree in arts administration isn’t just about learning how to run an organization—it’s about shaping the future of the arts. With expertise in fundraising, strategic planning, and digital engagement, graduates are positioned to secure funding, grow audiences, and advocate for the arts on a national and global scale.
If you’re ready to turn your passion into a profession and make a lasting impact, now is the time to invest in your future—and in the future of the creative industries.
To listen to the latest episode of MET Makes Conversation, “Innovation in the Arts in an Era of Transformation,” visit your preferred podcast platform, like Spotify or Apple Podcasts—where you can subscribe for all future episodes.