CI to Eye Capacity Interactive

What do we do when “the classics”—those canonical treasures that embody the rich traditions of our genres—start to feel outdated for today’s audiences, or even at odds with our missions?
In today’s episode, we take a close look at celebrated works from the classical Western canon that include harmful portrayals of non-Western cultures, and hear how one artist is taking action to prune and preserve the art he loves.
Artist and advocate Phil Chan shares how performing arts organizations can approach works from the classical Western canon with enhanced cultural sensitivity and authenticity. He offers tips and real-world examples for updating outdated representations of non-Western cultures while maintaining the integrity of these works.
LINKS:
Final Bow for Yellowface
Gold Standard Arts Foundation
Boston Lyric Opera | The Butterfly Process
Dance Magazine | Indiana University Removes Offensive Caricatures in New Productions of The Nutcracker and La Bayadère

Holding the artistic reins of an organization is no easy feat—especially when that organization has been around for generations and has a deep-rooted legacy. As a leader, how do you honor the rich history of your institution while effectively steering it into the future? 
As New York City Ballet celebrates its 75th anniversary season, Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford reflects on the Company’s continued evolution, how they’ve adapted to this new digital era, and the unique challenges of leading such a storied cultural entity.

The changing digital landscape might present challenges, but it also presents a great opportunity to reassess and refocus as we head into a new era of digital marketing. 
At CI, we pinpointed five key areas that will set arts and cultural institutions up for success in 2024. Catch up on the first two priorities in Part One, then delve into the final three priorities in today’s episode. You’ll get insights and tips from CI consultants so you can confidently navigate the changing digital landscape, drive results for your organization, and refocus as we head into a new era of digital marketing. 

From the rise of AI-driven advertising to the imminent third-party cookie crunch—which developments deserve your valuable time and attention in 2024?
At CI, we pinpointed five key areas that will set arts and cultural institutions up for success in 2024. Join us over the next two episodes as we delve into each area so you can confidently navigate the changing digital landscape, drive results for your organization, and refocus as we head into a new era of digital marketing. 
Crank the volume on Part One, and be on the lookout for Part Two in the coming weeks. We’ll round out the list of priorities and offer even more tips and insights from CI consultants.
LINKS:
Capacity Interactive | Your 2024 Digital Priorities
Pew Research Center | How Americans Use Social Media

Happy Black History Month, podcast listeners! Our latest episode coincides with the vibrant celebrations of Black history and shines a spotlight on the incredible contributions of Black and Brown composers, whose musical genius continues to enrich the classical repertoire.
Join us as we journey deep into the world of classical music—how we define it, how we enjoy it, and how we ensure everyone feels welcome and represented in our concert halls. This conversation is just the start of breaking down barriers to attendance and ensuring classical arts organizations connect with audiences for generations to come.
LINKS
Loki Karuna (Formerly Known As Garrett McQueen)
Star Tribune | Radio Host Garrett McQueen Agitates for Change While Elevating Black Artistry
New York Times | Pandemic Woes Lead Met Opera to Tap Endowment and Embrace New Work
NPR | Terence Blanchard Makes History At The Metropolitan Opera

CI to Eye is back with a healthy dose of inspiration to help you re-center at the top of the new year.
In 2023, we spoke with remarkable thought leaders both within and beyond the realm of the arts. Guests ranged from executive directors and arts researchers to experts in DEIBA. They all answered the same question: "If you could broadcast one message to executive directors, leadership teams, staff, and boards of thousands of arts organizations, what would it be?"
We call this their “CI to Eye moment,” and in this special episode, Dan revisits these key insights to offer encouragement and perspective for the year ahead.
QUICK LINKS
Capacity Interactive | Boot Camp 2024 Registration