This Week’s Highlights

Good morning: Debates about whether art accessed in digital form replaces in-person physical experiences are largely over. There has been a resurgent interest in real-world experiences, and ticket prices for popular experiences have soared. Now there is scientific evidence contrasting how audiences consume art: “Commissioned by the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague, … the independent study used eye-tracking technology and MRI scans to record the brain activity of volunteers looking at genuine artworks and reproductions. The 20 volunteers had a response that was 10 times stronger when looking at the former.” You can read more about the study in the Guardian.

Here are more highlights from the past week:

1. Cincinnati Symphony Concert Series Goes Immersive And Interactive “Still largely experimental, CSO Proof concerts might include elements of dance, lighting, theater, and atmosphere to accompany a short program of classical music. The goal is to engage audiences who might never have considered going to the symphony or even to Music Hall.” – Cincinnati Business Courier
2. Massachusetts Is One Of The Most Art-Vibrant States: Study “A new study finds that Massachusetts stands out as a national leader in arts vibrancy, with every region — from the Berkshires to Cape Cod — consistently performing above the national average. Mapping Massachusetts: Trends and Insights into Arts Vibrancy provides an in-depth look.” – SMU DataArts
3. Why Do Some Arts Organizations Do Better Than Others? “When it comes to finding and delighting audiences, I have found the Trend Busters fall into two participation philosophies: a Go Broad approach and a Go Deep approach.” – NEA
4. New Digital Platforms Are Changing How Art Is Bought And Sold “The rapid rise of blockchain technology is reshaping the traditional art market, enabling digital art sales that include secure, traceable transactions that promise more transparency and accessibility than ever before.” – The Art Newspaper
5. For A While, Podcasting Was the Future “The former host of ‘S-Town’ has a new subject to investigate: journalism. This exploration into the evolution and challenges facing the journalism industry today promises insightful revelations for all media professionals.” – NiemanLab