What do we mean by being data-driven?
In the first of a series of articles exploring what it means to be data-driven, David Reece argues that, while data is a powerful…
Editorial Partner: Baker Richards
Arts Professional is working in partnership with Baker Richards to present a series of articles and case studies exploring ways in which arts and cultural organisations can achieve their commercial potential.
Baker Richards is a leading international provider of consulting services and software for the cultural sector, working in the areas of admissions pricing, segmentation, memberships, subscriptions and donations, sales forecasting and primary research.
from this partner
What the arts can learn from LEGO
We've come a long way from the difficulties of recent years, and some key metrics are starting to show a positive trend. But w…
A brighter future for entrepreneurs and opportunity-seekers
Now more than ever it’s important to focus on the things that really matter, to free ourselves of distractions and to identi…
Programming, price, people and the pendulum of power
If price has lost its power, what does that mean for arts organisations who continue to face financial challenges with increased c…
Councils of despair
As cuts to the arts continue to bite, Robin Cantrill-Fenwick asks why some local authorities feel able to walk away from funding o…
More than music: The power and purpose of orchestras
Rather than berate and fulminate against managers and funders, Robin Cantrill-Fenwick argues we must support orchestras through th…
Audience behaviour: Where do we go from here?
As the Covid aftermath continues to unfold, David Reece explores how audience behaviour has changed and what that means for the wa…
It’s time we moved to Denmark
What can the UK learn about cultural policy from its tiny Nordic neighbour? Robin Cantrill-Fenwick finds out – stopping off…
Three essential trends for theatre managers
With many conflicting demands on theatre managers’ time, Robin Cantrill-Fenwick identifies three key trends to help keep the…
Eurovision has brought me out in a cold sweat
Europe, Eurovision, pressure-selling, ticket queues and… Candide? Robin Cantrill-Fenwick examines what goes wrong whe…
Partner Pod: Surviving permacrisis
Are the arts locked in a permacrisis? How do we survive it if so? How long until we get back to 'normal'? Join Robin Cantr…
The price is wrong
With ticket price differentiation reaching new extremes, David Reece considers the longer-term consequences and asks if we should…
The long read: Arts leaders look ahead to 2023
For this long read marking the turn of the year, Robin Cantrill-Fenwick asked CEOs and Executive Directors of arts organisations a…
Time for a new pricing model? Part 2: Subscriptions
In a time of rising inflation, affordability and accessibility are at the forefront of arts organisations’ minds. David Reec…
Time for a new pricing model?
In the first of two articles on innovative pricing practices, David Reece explores different approaches to price setting and asks…
Weathering the inflationary storm
Faced with inflation and a squeeze on consumer spending, how can arts organisations weather this financial storm? David Reece…
What is market research?
There are many misconceptions about market research and who is or isn’t qualified to undertake it. Robin Cantrill-Fenwick un…
Dynamic pricing on trial: guilty or not guilty?
Thanks to the pandemic and the rising cost of living, a widespread pricing practice is back in the spotlight. Robin Cantrill-Fenwi…
What does your pricing say about you?
Pricing is an overlooked form of communication. As soon as a price is placed on something, it sends out a message about the produc…
Emotional resilience is the key skill for 2022
While many arts and culture organisations are concerned about their financial viability, emotional resilience will also be essenti…
Rishi isn’t coming to the rescue
This week’s budget shows that there’s no easy path to high wages and low ticket prices in theatre. So what’s nex…
How useful are pre-pandemic datasets?
Lockdowns, venue closures, cancelled and postponed events – the era of Coronavirus has created an 18-month crevasse in our d…
Bursting the bubble: where next for socially distanced seating?
Auditorium formats that worked well between lockdowns aren’t the answer to achieving full houses as restrictions are lifted….
Planning in a time of radical uncertainty
In these uncertain times, it’s important to return to our core principles: making the most of the information we have and no…
