Arts Management and Technology Laboratory

How is your data being used? And what policies are in place to protect you? In this Let’s Talk episode of the Tech in the Arts Podcast, AMT Lab’s Executive Director and Publisher, Dr. Brett Ashley Crawford, and Chief Editor of Research, Hannah Brainard, dive into the latest headlines.

In the first episode of the 2024-2025 season of Tech in the Arts, hear from Jessica Bowser Acrie, the director of the Arts Management and Public Management programs at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College. Having recently attended the Christie’s Art + Tech Summit, Bowser Acrie shares her key takeaways for arts managers.

Roopa Gogineni is a photographer, an award-winning filmmaker, and a photojournalist from West Virginia now based between Paris and Atlanta. In this episode Roopa Gogineni talks with AMTLab Podcast Producer, Jabrenee Hussie, about  photojournalism and filmmaking. With a background in Diplomatic History and African Studies Roopa shares their experiences as a freelance filmmaker and photographer working in East Africa. She highlights the importance of mindfulness and responsible storytelling as one documents significant events in lands that aren’t their own. Roopa also discusses one of her notable works, SuddenlyTV that  documents a portion of the Sundanese Revolution that earned the SXSW Special Jury Award and experiences from the creation of that piece as well as being awarded for it.   

In this podcast, artist and land conservationist Haley Mellin talks with the Arts Management and Technology Lab at Carnegie Mellon University about actions artists and arts organizations of all sizes can take to measure their climate impact, reduce emissions, and support biodiversity protection. Mellin is the founder of Art into Acres, a non-profit organization which connects artists and arts institutions with large-scale land conservation projects focused on climate, Indigenous peoples, and beta-diversity. Additionally, Mellin co-founded Conserve.org, the MOCA Environmental Council in Los Angeles, Art and Climate Action, Artists Commit, and Gallery Climate Coalition’s  New York chapter.  She was a member of the Whitney Museum’s Independent Studio Program and holds a PhD in Visual Culture and Education from New York University.

In this episode of the  the Art + Climate series, Contemporary Craft Executive Director Rachel Rearick talks with AMT Lab Lead Researcher Hannah Brainard about their recent exhibition, Climate Awakening: Crafting a Sustainable Future, which explored the human impacts on climate change. They discuss how art can be used as a catalyst for conversation, opening the door for intentional community engagement.     Contemporary Craft is a visual arts organization in Pittsburgh, which fosters the use of traditional craft materials such as ceramic, fiber, glass, metal and wood to make art. Through their exhibitions, studio and store, they honor the history and heritage of craft, while showcasing modern, exploratory work.   

In this episode of the Art + Climate series on the Tech in the Arts podcast, join AMT Lab's Lead Researcher Hannah Brainard and Social Media and Marketing Manager Ashley Offman in conversation with Molly Braverman, Director of the Broadway Green Alliance. Molly has worked as a Stage Manager on Broadway, national tours, and regionally, having spent three years on the road with the National Tour of Wicked and continuing to serve as a substitute Stage Manager on Wicked and Hamilton. Molly shares how her work at the Broadway Green Alliance has allowed each cast and creative team to be an agent of change in a way that fits their show's needs, how sustainability branches out beyond the environment, and the first step that every organization should take in their sustainability journey.

In this episode of the Art + Climate series on the Tech in the Arts podcast, hear from Sandra Goldmark, an Associate Professor in Theatre at Barnard College and the Senior Assistant Dean for Interdisciplinary Engagement at the Columbia Climate School. A professor, designer, and entrepreneur, Sandra’s work focuses on the circular economy and regenerative climate strategy. She is the founder of Fixup, a New York City-based pop-up repair shop, and the co-creator of the Sustainable Production Toolkit for performing arts organizations.    In this conversation with AMT Lab Lead Researcher, Hannah Brainard, Sandra shares how her background in theatrical design has supported her career in “stuff” and offers tips for arts organizations considering reducing their impact.    Additional Links: Sandra Goldmark: https://sandragoldmark.com/ Sustainable Production Toolkit: https://www.sustainableproductiontoolkit.com/  

Can concerts mobilize music fans to climate action? From signing a petition or voting, to participating in a protest - what actions are fans most likely to take when their favorite artists ask them to? Over the last year, Planet Reimagined’s Climate Active Fellows, Caleb Johnson and Li-Ya Mar have been tackling these questions through their project “Amplify: How to Build a Fan-Based Climate Movement.”  Planet Reimagined is a nonprofit organization founded by AJR bassist Adam Met and human rights activist Mila Rosenthal, which focuses on translating climate research into meaningful change. In this podcast, Caleb and Li-Ya talk with AMT Lab Lead Researcher Hannah Brainard about their research process, sharing some key findings and next steps.    What’s next for Amplify? Planet Reimagined will implement the Amplify recommendations during AJR’s 43-city nationwide “The Maybe Man” tour this summer. At arenas across the U.S., they will connect fans with meaningful local action opportunities at each show while REVERB helps to reduce the environmental impact of the tour.  Additional Links: Learn more about the project: Amplify: How to Build a Fan-Based Climate Movement Read the full report.  Watch a CNN segment about the project with co-founder Adam Met.

In the second episode of AMT Lab’s Art + Climate podcast series, the conversation continues with Jennifer Torrance, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ Youth Climate Advocacy Committee (YCAC) Coordinator.    In this episode, she talks about her experience attending the recent United Nations Climate Conference, or COP28, with YCAC leader and University of Pittsburgh senior, Anna Bagwell. Though attending a COP conference may be “like trying to drink from a firehose,” Torrance unpacks what a day might look like - from meeting with your observer constituency group and sitting in on negotiations, to networking and other sessions.. She also shares some of her key takeaways for cultural organizations, including joining a network like the Climate Toolkit for Museums, Gardens, and Zoos presented by Phipps.  For more information about Torrance’s work with YCAC and engaging young people in the climate movement, listen to Part One.

Kicking off AMT Lab’s Art + Climate series, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ Jennifer Torrance discusses her work supporting a space for youth climate engagement.   Phipps’ Youth Climate Advocacy Committee (YCAC)  resources and empowers Pittsburgh’s young people to take action on issues that they care about. Torrance is a science educator and the YCAC Coordinator at Phipps. She holds a bachelor of science in environmental science from Allegheny College. She has been sparking children’s passion for the natural world at Phipps since 2016.   In this unique program, young people take on a variety of projects that unite their skills and interest in the climate movement. From a water bottle photojournalism project, to developing curriculum for elementary students, and even an eco-fashion show.    This interview is in two parts. To hear about Torrance’s experience attending COP28, accompanied by YCAC youth leader and University of Pittsburgh student Anna Bagwell, look out for part two. Phipps YCAC is funded through the generous support of the Heinz Endowments.