Arts and culture is a big business—a $1.02 trillion sector whose 100,000+ organizations serve almost every community in the nation. This podcast is about running that business: how to grow audiences, develop high performing teams and leaders, get younger attendees in the seats and on the donor rolls, apply strategies working in other sectors, and generate millions more dollars in revenue, all in order to serve the mission and flourish in a changing world. Hosted by “the Steve Jobs of classical music” (Observer) and "Sheryl Sandberg of the Symphony" (LA Review of Books), in each episode Aubrey Bergauer discusses the offstage work of arts organizations and the administrators, artists, and board members who make them run. Subscribe, download, and listen right here.
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June 2, 20261 hr 13 min
The Science of Leading Change in the Arts
This episode is all about change management in arts organizations. Aubrey Bergauer breaks down the research behind building a change-ready culture and how to actually shift someone's mind when facts alone aren't enough.In the season six finale of The Offstage Mic, Aubrey closes out the "Changing the Narrative, Ten Years Later" season by going deep on two bodies of research: the i4cp study "Building a Culture of Change" and David McRaney's book How Minds Change. Together, they answer the question arts managers ask her more than any other: how do I get buy-in, bring my board along, and lead change without strong-arming anyone?If this season has been useful, please follow the show and leave a rating or review — it helps more arts administrators find these conversations.Reserve your free seat at my Audience Growth Masterclass right now by going to www.aubreybergauer.com/masterclass.Sources:I4cp: Building a Future-Ready Organization with a Change-Ready Culture https://go.i4cp.com/changereadyDavid McRaney: How Minds Change https://www.davidmcraney.com/howmindschangehomeSponsors:Bolero: https://hellobolero.com/changingthenarrativeEvolvArts: https://evolvarts.com/
May 26, 202647 min
Can Auto-Renewing Subscriptions Work in the Arts?
Auto-renewing subscriptions in the arts: how one organization hit 87% adoption and tripled its season ticket base in two seasons. Justin Morgan, Director of Audience Development at Chamber Music Society of Salt Lake City, joins Aubrey Bergauer to break down how a small presenter of world class chamber music went from selling 90 paper tickets per concert to filling 450 seats — and how their move to an auto-renewing season ticket model helped them get there.Justin walks through the exact playbook: ditching paper tickets and Excel spreadsheets, migrating to a new CRM to support this work, launching a buy-one-get-one season subscription offer to build the base, then converting to opt-out auto renewal with an 87% adoption rate. He also shares how the board navigated the shift from all-volunteer to part-time contractors, why long-tenured board members were actually the hungriest for change, and how generous ticket donations to veterans and students became a feeder for new subscribers and donors.If this episode helps you rethink your subscription model, subscribe to The Offstage Mic and leave a quick rating or review — it makes a real difference.Reserve your free seat at my Audience Growth Masterclass right now by going to www.aubreybergauer.com/masterclass.Learn more about about the Chamber Music Society of Salt Lake City: cmsofslc.orgSponsors:Bolero: https://hellobolero.com/changingthenarrativeEvolvArts: https://evolvarts.com/Morreale Digital: https://morreale.ca/podcast
May 19, 20261 hr 7 min
How to Adopt AI at Your Arts Organization: A Practical Guide
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept, it’s an operational necessity for lean arts organizations. In this episode of The Offstage Mic, Aubrey Bergauer sits down with Ashley Gross, CEO of the AI Workforce Alliance, to demystify how AI can save cultural institutions tens of thousands of dollars and hundreds of staff hours. Whether you’re an AI skeptic or an early adopter, this episode provides a baseline for understanding the current tech landscape and moves quickly into practical application.Ashley shares her "inception story" of building a $115 million revenue pipeline using AI tools before ChatGPT even existed. Together, Aubrey and Ashley walk through live exercises, including drafting an internal AI policy and building an automated "AI agent" for a general inquiry inbox. You’ll learn how to identify "leaks" in your processes, the difference between simple automation and autonomous agents, and how to ensure your technology adoption aligns with core artistic values like inclusivity and accessibility.Subscribe for more case studies and arts management insights. Reserve your free seat for this Audience Growth Masterclass right now by going to www.aubreybergauer.com/masterclass.Sponsors:Bolero: https://hellobolero.com/changingthenarrativeEvolvArts: https://evolvarts.com/Morreale Digital: https://morreale.ca/podcast
May 12, 202647 min
From $1M Deficit to Balanced Budget: A Case Study
Running an arts organization is hard, but tackling a $1 million deficit is a different level of challenge. In this episode, Aubrey Bergauer sits down with Vanessa Morosco, Executive Artistic Director of the American Shakespeare Center (ASC), to discuss how they orchestrated a massive financial turnaround. Learn the tactical steps taken to integrate marketing and development departments, the nuances of managing board expectations during a crisis, and the importance of viewing transactions as human behavior. Whether you work for a theater, a symphony, or a museum, this case study offers a roadmap for moving from financial scarcity to a balanced, sustainable future.Subscribe for more case studies and arts management insights.Reserve your free seat for this Audience Growth Masterclass right now by going to www.aubreybergauer.com/masterclass.Sponsors:Bolero: https://hellobolero.com/changingthenarrativeEvolvArts: https://evolvarts.com/Morreale Digital: https://morreale.ca/podcast
May 5, 20261 hr 0 min
7 Performing Arts Predictions for 2026: Your Mid-Year Scorecard
Are your traditional funding sources drying up while your audience development plateaus? In this mid-season reflection, Aubrey Bergauer revisits her seven bold performing arts predictions for 2025 and 2026 to see what’s working and what’s failing in the current landscape. From the global boom of the subscription economy to the bipartisan surprise in government funding, this episode breaks down the data-driven shifts necessary for survival. Aubrey shares why retention must overtake acquisition as your primary growth engine and how AI can reclaim your staff's time for higher-value creative work.This episode is for arts administrators, executive leaders, and board members who are ready to stop the "leaky bucket" of audience churn and start running their organization like a business. You’ll learn: Why opt-out renewals and strong onboarding are the keys to bucking subscription declines. How to move beyond brand-only social media to leverage an "influencer army" of artists and staff. And the tactical ways AI-assisted productivity can solve administrative burnout without cutting jobs.Sponsors:Bolero: https://hellobolero.com/changingthenarrativeEvolvArts: https://evolvarts.com/Morreale Digital: https://morreale.ca/podcastSources:Aubrey Bergauer: 145% Performance Revenue Growth with the Long Haul Model https://www.aubreybergauer.com/long-haul-modelMark Schaefer: Marketing Rebellion https://businessesgrow.com/publication/marketing-rebellion/
April 28, 202648 min
Opera Isn't Dying. The Business Model Is, featuring Caitlin Vincent
Is opera actually dying, or is the business model simply stuck in the digital dark ages? In this episode of The Offstage Mic, Aubrey Bergauer sits down with Dr. Caitlin Vincent, author of 'Opera Wars', to dismantle the narrative that the art form is fading. Instead, they look at the hard data: while public demand for live culture remains high, the structural systems—from hiring practices to financial management—are faltering.This episode is for arts administrators, executive leaders, and creators across all disciplines who are tired of 'gut instinct' management and ready for data-backed change. You’ll learn how gender bias is baked into repertoire selection, why the 'artistic genius' trope protects toxic behavior, and why every artistic decision must be viewed as a commercial one to ensure survival.Sponsors:Bolero: https://hellobolero.com/changingthenarrativeEvolvArts: https://evolvarts.comMorreale Digital: https://morreale.ca/podcastSources:The Conversation: Opera is not dying – but it needs a second act for the streaming era https://theconversation.com/opera-is-not-dying-but-it-needs-a-second-act-for-the-streaming-era-271376Journal of Arts Management, Law, and Society: Financial Headwinds in the Performing Arts: Evidence from United States Opera, 2005–2023 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10632921.2025.2596078Caitlin Vincent: Opera Wars https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Opera-Wars/Caitlin-Vincent/9781668084069
April 21, 202657 min
How to Drive Revenue Through Customer Experience, featuring Mercury Soul
Customer experience is more than a buzzword. It is a critical driver of the bottom line, affecting everything from word-of-mouth marketing to donor retention. In this episode, Aubrey Bergauer dives into the 'Three Fs' of customer experience with a focus on making the venue friendly for newcomers. As traditional subscriber bases shrink, organizations must pivot to engage the 'non-aficionado' majority who value surprise, quality, and unpredictability in live events.Who it's for: Arts leaders, marketers, and executive directors looking to modernize their audience engagement and operational strategies.We’re joined by Toby Suckow and Mason Bates of Mercury Soul, an innovative organization redefining how audiences experience classical music through immersive, nightlife-inspired performances. Toby and Mason share how they’ve built a groundbreaking model that blends electronic music, classical performance, and experiential design to attract new audiences and reimagine concert culture. This episode dives into arts innovation, immersive experiences, audience development, and the future of live performance.Sponsors:Bolero: hellobolero.com/changingthenarrativeEvolvArts: evolvearts.com Morreale Digital: morreale.ca/podcast Sources:McKinsey: A new way to measure word-of-mouth marketing https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/growth-marketing-and-sales/our-insights/a-new-way-to-measure-word-of-mouth-marketing#/ Eventbrite: Social Study Report: How Gen Z and Millennials Are Redefining Live Experiences in 2026 https://investor.eventbrite.com/press-releases/press-releases-details/2026/Eventbrites-Inaugural-Social-Study-Report-Reveals-the-Reset-to-Real-How-Gen-Z-and-Millennials-Are-Redefining-Live-Experiences-in-2026/default.aspx
April 14, 202646 min
Episode 50: The Data Defining the Future of the Arts
Welcome to Season 6 of The Offstage Mic! We are kicking things off with a massive milestone: our 50th episode. In this season premiere, host Aubrey Bergauer dives deep into the latest national data from SMU DataArts, JCA, and Advisory Board for the Arts to reveal the truth about the 'cutting death spiral' currently facing cultural institutions. This episode is for arts administrators, executive directors, and board members who are tired of short-term budget fixes and are looking for a sustainable path to growth. You’ll learn how the ‘minimum viable product’ model applies to arts innovation, why cutting performances is actually hurting your bottom line, and the surprising reason your first-year subscribers are the key to unlocking long-term donor loyalty. Plus, Aubrey announces a major giveaway to celebrate 50 episodes, including gift cards, t-shirts, and a free Audience Development Bootcamp.Subscribe to the show for more data-backed strategies to help your arts organization thrive. Whether you are listening or watching our new video format, we appreciate your support in changing the narrative for the arts.Sponsors:Bolero: hellobolero.com/changingthenarrativeEvolvArts: evolvearts.com Morreale Digital: morreale.ca/podcast Sources:Edison Research: Podcast Listening Hits Record High https://www.edisonresearch.com/podcast-listening-hits-record-highs/#:~:text=The%20percentage%20of%20people%20age,100%20million%20weekly%20listeners%20milestone.Riverside: Podcast Statistics and Trends for 2026https://riverside.com/blog/podcast-statistics#:~:text=In%202023%2C%20podcasts%20were%20most,68%25%20listen%20to%20whole%20episodes Podcast Hawk: 70% of the Audience Listen to a Full Podcast Episodes https://podcasthawk.com/70-of-the-audience-listen-to-a-full-podcast-episodes-the-key-to-targeting/#:~:text=The%20answer%20might%20surprise%20you,is%20the%20key%20to%20success Signal Hill: YouTube’s Growth As a Podcast Power Player https://www.westwoodone.com/blog/2024/07/08/youtubes-growth-as-a-podcast-power-player-revealed-in-cumulus-media-and-signal-hill-insights-podcast-download-spring-2024-report/ SMU DataArts: National Trends 2025 https://culturaldata.org/national-trends/national-trends-2025/ Aubrey Bergauer: Scarcity Mindset is Killing Your Arts Organization https://aubreybergauer.medium.com/scarcity-mindset-is-killing-your-arts-organization-f4c023f1c844 JCA: Trends in Performing Arts Audience Behavior: 4 Key Takeaways for 2026 https://www.jcainc.com/trends-in-performing-arts-audience-behavior-4-key-takeaways-for-2026/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=sharpspring&sslid=M7e0MDAyMjMyNjI2AQA&sseid=MzEAAUMDS0tLMwNjEwA&jobid=3d003ea7-7129-4e80-9ea1-ece89d2b0133 Advisory Board for the Arts: 2025 Ticket and Subscriptions Sales and 2026 Forecasts https://www.advisoryboardarts.com/research-collector/2025salesrevenues2026projections
April 7, 20261 min
Introducing Season Six of The Offstage Mic
What does Changing the Narrative mean ten years later? That is what this season of The Offstage Mic with Aubrey Bergauer is all about. How can we continue to change the narrative for our cultural institutions today? How can we reverse the negative trends so pervasive these days?This podcast is about running our business: how to grow audiences, develop high performing teams and leaders, get younger attendees in the seats and on the donor rolls, apply strategies working in other sectors, and generate more revenue, all in order to serve the mission and flourish in a changing world.We are talking all things the business side of the arts, and it is not business as usual.Season Six of The Offstage Mic launches April 14. Watch, listen and follow along wherever you get your podcasts.
April 15, 202537 min
The Time Management Lie Holding Back Arts Executives
If your days as an arts leader are consumed by never-ending to-do lists, last-minute fires, and reactive work—this episode is your call to break the cycle. In this Season 5 finale, we dig into a leadership struggle that nearly every arts executive, administrator, and manager faces: the battle between the urgent and the important. Through honest reflection, personal experience, and practical tools, we unpack why time management in arts leadership isn’t just about productivity—it’s about reclaiming your role as a strategic visionary. You’ll learn how to identify the 20% of your work that drives real impact, why busyness can be a form of avoidance, and how to shift your focus toward building a thriving future for your organization. If you're ready to trade burnout for clarity and momentum, this episode offers both the mindset shift and tactical tools to help you get there.The Offstage Mic is made possible by Artelize: their Audience Retention Dashboard is the one-stop place to access your audience data across every important metric. And also by Annual Fund Toolkit: they’ve built a support system to help grow your donor community and major gift pipeline.
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