CI to Eye | Monica Holt On Curiosity, Leadership, and Evita

How do you invite new audiences into the symphony in a way that feels fresh, joyful, and unforgettable? Macy Schmidt has been asking that question with every project she takes on. As the founder of The Sinfonietta and CEO of Overture Global Entertainment, she’s not just producing concerts—she’s designing live experiences that feel transformative for new audiences. In this episode, Macy reflects on the early influences that shaped her approach to orchestration, the audience-first philosophy that guides her work, and how she’s scaling women-led orchestras around the world. She also shares how one bold pitch to Mattel grew into Barbie the Movie in Concert, and reveals the creative decisions that made the project a global phenomenon. For arts and culture leaders, Macy’s insights show what’s possible when you shift from guarding traditions to designing moments that stay with people long after the final note. LINKS: Macy Schmidt The Sinfonietta Barbie the Movie in Concert

Few leaders expect their first months on the job to coincide with a fight for the future of the arts in America. For Erin Harkey, that became the reality when she stepped in as CEO of Americans for the Arts earlier this year—just as the federal government proposed eliminating national arts funding. In this episode, Erin reflects on her career journey, from shaping cultural policy in Chicago to stepping into one of the most prominent arts leadership roles in the country. She shares why public funding is uniquely powerful, how communities can mobilize in times of uncertainty, and why joy itself can be a form of resistance. Along the way, she offers practical advice for arts administrators, artists, and advocates alike: from making your voice heard with elected officials to finding ways to sustain yourself in the work. LINKS: National Endowment for the Arts | The Big Picture Americans for the Arts | Americans Speak Out About the Arts Americans for the Arts | Arts Impact Explorer Americans for the Arts | Advocacy Toolkit For Individuals and Organizations

What turns a live event into a cultural moment people never forget? David Jammy has some answers. As Executive Producer at Done+Dusted, he’s helped shape global broadcasts from the Emmys and Kennedy Center Honors to the Global Citizen Festival and the Mark Twain Prize. In this conversation, David traces his path from student activist in apartheid-era South Africa to producing events that capture history as it happens. He shares his storytelling philosophy, the challenge of turning fleeting moments into lasting television, and the behind-the-scenes story of the 2025 Mark Twain Prize honoring Conan O’Brien—a night that doubled as both a tribute and an act of resistance. It’s a reminder that live events aren’t just entertainment. They can be culture’s way of recording history in real time. ----- LINKS: Done+Dusted Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale (2013)   PBS | Jon Stewart Mark Twain Prize Acceptance Speech   Netflix | Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor Variety | How Done+Dusted Found the Right Tone for Conan O’Brien’s Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize, as Both a Celebration and a Wake: ‘It Was So Cathartic’

AI is changing how we work. What does that mean for arts and culture? Jen Taylor, Capacity Interactive’s Director of AI Strategy and Integration, shares what her research with over 100 arts leaders and administrators reveals about where the field really stands with AI: a mix of curiosity, caution, and untapped opportunity. In this episode, Jen and Monica unpack how AI can save time for under-resourced teams, how organizations can build policies that align with their missions, and why the technology should amplify—not replace—human creativity. This episode is your guide to embracing AI without losing sight of what makes the arts human. LINKS: Capacity Interactive | AI Services and The State of the Arts in 2025 Report Nonprofit Quarterly | How Nonprofits Can Create Ethical AI Policies Reuters | ChatGPT sets record for fastest-growing user base The Marketing AI Institute | 2024 State of Marketing AI Report Anthropic | AI Fluency Course Punchdrunk

What happens when a cultural district leads a city’s revival? As President and CEO of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Kendra Whitlock Ingram is leading the cultural district through a new era of civic transformation—building public spaces, breaking down barriers to access, and reimagining what a cultural district can be. In this episode, Kendra and Monica Holt explore what it takes to lead complex institutions, foster inclusive programming, and make the arts central to a city’s future—not just its history. LINKS: Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Pittsburgh Magazine | Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Unveils Plans for the New ‘Arts Landing’ Downtown

Can legacy arts institutions innovate like start-ups? Clive Chang thinks so. As President and CEO of YoungArts, he’s reimagining how a 40-year-old organization can support today’s multi-disciplinary artists—by questioning everything, embracing experimentation, and making space for creative risk. In this conversation, Clive and host Monica Holt unpack how to disrupt old habits, build a culture of curiosity, and keep tradition from becoming inertia. --- LINKS: YoungArts Lincoln Center | The Collider Fellowship The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

A bold new chapter. A brilliant new voice. CI’s President Christopher Williams kicks off a new season of CI to Eye by welcoming Monica Holt, this season's host and Senior Advisor to Capacity Interactive. Monica reflects on her 16-year journey at the Kennedy Center, the passion that’s driven her work, and all things Evita—plus what to expect from upcoming episodes. ---- LINKS: New York Times | ‘Just in Time’ Review: Jonathan Groff Channels Bobby Darin NPR | This summer's most talked-about performance on London's West End isn't onstage Forbes | Trump Takes Over Kennedy Center In War On ‘Woke’ Programming—Here’s What To Know CI to Eye | The New Generation of Arts Leaders

Marketing and development teams in arts and cultural organizations work toward the same goals: generating revenue, deepening relationships, and advancing the mission. But too often, they’re doing that work in silos—on separate timelines, using different tools, and speaking to the same audiences in different ways. The result? Missed opportunities and diminished impact. In this episode, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Director of Marketing, Jeanna Vella, and Director of Development, Sara Clark, share what happens when we break down silos and create true cross-departmental partnerships. They reveal the tools and tactics that keep their teams aligned, the hurdles they’ve worked through, and what any organization can do to build stronger alignment between marketing and development. CI to Eye Interview (time) - Dan sits down with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company to discuss their experience breaking down silos and creating true cross-departmental partnerships. CI-lebrity Sightings (time) - Dan shares his favorite stories of CI clients in the news. This episode spotlights Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Art Museum, and Atlanta Ballet.  LINKS: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company The Violin Channel | Baltimore Symphony Receives $5m Gift Towards Family and Educational Programming WLWT News | Cincinnati Art Museum planning expansion to make Art Climb more accessible TODAY | 100-year-old ballet instructor shares his 3 simple tips for a long, healthy life

Recent political developments in the U.S.—from executive orders to proposed agency closures and evolving federal funding guidelines—have placed cultural organizations at the center of a national conversation about how institutions uphold their values and navigate their role in a rapidly changing America.  In this episode, Brett Egan of the DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management breaks down what’s happening now, what’s at stake, and where cultural organizations might find unexpected opportunity in the turbulence.  CI to Eye with Brett Egan (1:30) -- CI’s President (Interim) Christopher Williams sits down with Brett Egan, President of the DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management. They discuss how to prepare for threats to the arts and cultural industry, and rethink what resilience means moving forward. CI-lebrity Sightings (31:55) -- Dan Titmuss shares his favorite stories about CI clients in the news. This month’s episode spotlights The Juilliard School, Louisville Orchestra, and San Diego Theatres.  LINKS: DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management Capacity Interactive | The Arts and Culture Sector is Facing a Funding Squeeze in 2025 New York Times | Juilliard Plans $550 Million Drive to Go Tuition Free Sentinel News | Louisville Orchestra bring classical music to all corners of Kentucky Broadway World | San Diego Civic Theatre Will Get $7.5 Million Renovation  

Great experiences don’t happen by accident—they’re designed with intention. From the first click on a website to the moment a visitor steps through your door to engagement after they leave, every interaction shapes how people feel about an organization. So what does it take to create a truly exceptional guest experience? Emily O’Hara, Senior Director of Guest Experience at the Detroit Zoological Society, thinks about this every day. In this episode, she shares how the Detroit Zoo fosters personal connections and creates a welcoming, engaging environment for every guest. We explore practical strategies for delivering wildly good experiences that turn visitors into raving (and returning) fans. CI to Eye with Emily O'Hara (1:30) – Dan and Emily discuss the growing importance of hospitality in arts and culture, making our venues more accessible with thoughtful accommodations, and the magic of penguin exhibits.  CI-lebrity Sightings (41:00) – Dan shares his favorite stories of CI clients in the news. This episode’s roundup includes ArtsEmerson, Boston Ballet, The Children’s Theater of Cincinnati, The Huntington Theatre, and San Francisco Symphony. ---- LINKS: WBUR | Free tickets drop for Boston kids as performance arts venues join city program Broadway World | The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati Receives $2 Million Anonymous Challenge Gift San Francisco Chronicle | S.F. Symphony and Conservatory of Music announce benefit concert for Los Angeles fire relief