Alan Brown is a principal at the consulting firm of WolfBrown. His focus is on cultural participation, the value system surrounding arts experiences, and how to assess and measure engagement.

In this interview he talks with us about how he came to his profession, his recent work with Jennifer Novak on assessing the impact of art, and the common trends that unite cultural institutions around the world.

This interview is part of an ongoing series with the Association of Performing Arts Presenters.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Marianne Weems is artistic director and co-founder of the performance and media ensemble The Builders Association. She is also on the board of Art Matters, a private arts foundation, and co-edited the book Art Matters: How the Culture Wars Changed America.

In this podcast we talk with her about the subject matter of much of her work: technology, surveillance and globalization.

This interview is part of an ongoing series with the Association of Performing Arts Presenters.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Mario Garcia Durham is the Director of Presenting and Multidisciplinary Programs at the National Endowment for the Arts. Prior to coming to the NEA, he was the founder and executive director of Yerba Buena Arts & Events in San Francisco, California, and Performing Arts Curator for the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

In this podcast he talks with us about his transition from a presenter based in San Francisco to a representative for a federal agency, the differences between the NEA and European ministries of culture, and the democratic process at work.

This interview is part of an ongoing series with the Association of Performing Arts Presenters.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Cynthia Hopkins formed the band Gloria Deluxe in 1999. In March of 2008, the band released their most recent album, a recording of songs from the operetta Must Don’t Whip ‘Um. She has composed and performed for theater and film projects, including Big Dance Theater and Transmission Projects.

In this podcast she talks about the impetus for creating work, the task of funding, and how the stars and planets align in different ways for each performance.

This interview is part of an ongoing series with the Association of Performing Arts Presenters.

Photo by Kirsty Mogensen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Arlynn Fishbaugh is the executive director of the Montana Arts Council, the agency tasked with developing the creative potential of all Montanans. She has also held positions at the Guthrie Theatre, the Texas Opera Theatre and at the Metropolitan Opera.

In this podcast she talks with us about how MAC has put public value at the forefront of its strategy, how the arts are revitalizing communities and why touring and presenting is so vital to arts councils.

This interview is part of an ongoing series with the Association of Performing Arts Presenters.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download