A New Publication from KerrSmith
The Digital Stage
TECHNOLOGY & THE FUTURE OF PERFORMING ARTS
The context within which artists and arts organizations operate has changed. The broad adoption of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, high-speed internet, and mobile connectivity has served to blur the boundaries between individual arts disciplines and practices, the arts and cultural sector and other sectors, and how the arts sector conceives of and interacts with audiences and the public.
Digital technologies have long had an impact on the creation and production of artworks, whether in the form of software for scriptwriting, video editing, photo-manipulation, and programmable lighting arrays for the stage. But it was not until the advent of a globally distributed high-speed internet that the transformative power of digital technology became clear. Mobile connectivity and the internet as a platform for creation, production, presentation and distribution have radically changed the way the arts, and specifically the performing arts, are experienced in the world. The introduction of AI is already pushing those transformations even further.
Available Now on Routledge or Amazon
PART 1: TECHNOLOGY NEXT
A World of Drastic Change
Chapter 1.1: Creating Future Performing Arts
Chapter 1.2: Presenting Future Performing Arts
Chapter 1.3: Receiving Future Performing Arts
Chapter 1.4: Empowering Future Performing Arts
Part 1 Summary: Widespread and Relentless
Part 1: Technology Next considers the larger contextual driving forces that are pushing the performing arts in new directions. This exploration of the impact of technology includes discussion of sixteen specific directional shifts that may impact the future of the performing arts for Creators, Presenters, Audiences and those that Empower the sector as a whole.
PART 2: TECHNOLOGY NOW
Understanding the Current Context
Chapter 2.1: Creating Performing Arts Now
Chapter 2.2: Presenting Performing Arts Now
Chapter 2.3: Receiving Performing Arts Now
Chapter 2.4: Empowering Performing Arts Now
Chapter 2.5: Technologies Today
Part 2 Summary: Change and Disruption
Part 2: Technology Now is a survey of emerging and established technologies currently being applied in the performing arts that are changing the landscape of how creators, presenters, audiences and the sector as a whole are functioning today. This section includes a reference table of thirteen digital tools along with their Technology Attributes.
PART 3: TECHNOLOGY NEXUS
Powerful Influences Everywhere
Chapter 3.1: Economic Shifts
Chapter 3.2: Demographic Shifts
Chapter 3.3: Social Shifts
Chapter 3.4: Behavioural Shifts
Chapter 3.5: Eco-Climate Shifts
Part 3 Summary: Fragility and Transformation
Part 3: Technology Nexus positions the risks and opportunities of technology for the performing arts through the lens of five major challenge domains (economic, demographic, social, behavioural, and environmental) and their influence on different stakeholders within the system. This final section identifies specific impacts and implications that these challenges and opportunities present, especially for leaders in the sector. Recommendations for transforming the performing arts are included.
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