Jill S. Robinson presenting to a conference

Leading The Way

With Jill S. Robinson

The Podcast for Arts and Cultural Leaders

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Leading the Way with Jill S. Robinson is a journey through the vibrant world of the arts and cultural sector.

Join Jill as she brings listeners into the center of the most crucial conversations happening in today's arts and cultural world. Daring leaders will frequently join Jill for robust discussions, book reviews, and data analysis from TRG Arts' industry-leading tools to give you an insightful look into the minds of the field's most innovative figures.

Leading the Way will keep your finger on the pulse of the arts and cultural sector.

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What Might Be: Subscription and a Resilient Future for the Arts
What Might Be: Subscription and a Resilient Future for the Arts
A Leading The Way Webinar

Following a three-part blog series , Jill S. Robinson led a webinar to synthesize and expand on her insights. This webinar is for arts executives who are looking for new pathways to build communities, secure recurring revenues, and most crucially, an answer to the punishing inflation that continues to hold back the sector in the years since the pandemic.

Your Host

Jill S. Robinson is a driving force in the arts and culture sector who has inspired leaders and organizations for more than three decades. From early career achievements with regional symphony orchestras to her leadership building TRG Arts into a renowned international, data-driven change agency, Jill’s expertise and counsel are sought out by arts and cultural executives worldwide.

Jill believes in the transformative power of arts and culture experiences, and that positive, profound change in the business model of arts organizations leads to artistic innovation that can inspire entire communities.

Read more of Jill’s bio.
Jill Robinson

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Leading the Way Episodes

New Models for Connection in Classical Music

S1E10 • Tue, Mar 12, 2024
In this bonus episode of "Leading the Way" with Jill S. Robinson speaks with Marna Seltzer and Dasha Koltunyuk from Princeton University Concerts. Explore how they're reshaping the classical music landscape through groundbreaking initiatives designed to connect deeply with audiences in a post-pandemic world. From the serene blend of music with meditation to the powerful Healing with Music series, discover how they're pioneering new pathways to engage, inspire, and heal. With guests: Marna Seltzer, Dasha Koltunyuk Spotify Play Episode • 36 min

Creativity as an Asset

S1E09 • Tue, Mar 12, 2024
In this bonus episode of "Leading the Way" with Jill S. Robinson, the spotlight is on Ariel Fristoe, the Artistic Director of Out of Hand Theater, an Atlanta-based theater company renowned for its innovative integration of art, social justice, and civic engagement. The conversation delves into the origins, evolution, and significant impact of Out of Hand Theater since its inception in 2001. Ariel Fristoe shares insights into how the company has distinguished itself by focusing on social issues and working closely with community groups and experts, leading to a unique business model that monetizes artistic skills while addressing pressing societal challenges like racism, poverty, and violence. With guests: Ariel Fristoe Spotify Play Episode • 31 min

Season 1 Retrospective and Eyeing 2024

S1E08 • Thu, Dec 07, 2023
Jill S. Robinson closes out season 1 of Leading the Way with a retrospective considering the patterns and through lines of her conversations this year. Innovators or disruptors all, the guests of Leading the Way point to not only the key pillars of TRG Arts, but also the direction of necessary attention for arts and cultural leaders heading into 2024 and longer, 2040 and beyond. Spotify Play Episode • 18 min

A Virtuous Cycle of Innovation in Classical Music

S1E7 • Tue, Nov 21, 2023
In this episode, Jill talks with Alicia Lawyer (artistic director and founder of the chamber orchestra, ROCO). Alicia shares how this Houston-based orchestra disrupts and innovates the traditional presentation of classical music. With a revenue model where 95% comes from contributed revenue, ROCO designs audience-first experiences. Alecia is putting the fun, access, and creative license back into the world of classical music through what she calls wildcatting in the arts. With guests: Alecia Lawyer Spotify Play Episode • 54 min

The Overhead Myth: Reconsidering Nonprofit Financial Models

S1E6 • Tue, Nov 07, 2023
In this episode, Jill talks with Andrew Taylor (program director and associate professor of Arts Management at American University), a leading voice in the North American nonprofit arts sector, to discuss the prevalent issue of the "overhead myth." The discussion takes a deep dive into the challenges arts organizations face, the scarcity mindset, and the importance of understanding the values in direct and indirect costs. Andrew also talks about educating future arts leaders about these financial intricacies. With guests: Andrew Taylor Spotify Play Episode • 43 min

Building a Just and Sustainable Arts Organization using “Good Trouble”

S1E5 • Tue, Oct 24, 2023
In this episode, the Boston Children's Chorus (BCC) shares its organizational mission, spotlighting the pivotal role of its new Director of Good Trouble. Guests Andrés Holder and Akiba Abaka offer listeners a deep dive into BCC's community engagement, its programming, performance metrics, and visionary educational initiatives. Andrés and Akiba also share their views on the broader concept of "just cause" within the arts sector and the importance of it to the sustainability of BCC. With guests: Andrés Holder, Akiba Abaka Spotify Play Episode • 1 hr 10 min

Orchestrating the Future of Audience Engagement

S1E4 • Tue, Oct 10, 2023
Ross Binnie of The Cleveland Orchestra joins Jill to discuss the orchestra's decade-old Center for Future Audiences program. The initiative aims to attract younger audiences to classical music concerts. Binnie discusses their digital platform "Adela" and their mission to shift perceptions of classical music to make it more inclusive. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of finding new ways to engage and retain audiences across age groups and shares how The Cleveland Orchestra is doing just that. With guests: Ross Binnie Spotify Play Episode • 1 hr 14 min

Relevance and #LeadingWithYourEars | Part 2

S1E3 • Mon, Sep 18, 2023
Part 2 | In this two-part episode of "Leading the Way", Jill sits down with accomplished UK arts leader Tom Bird, Chief Executive at Sheffield Theatres. Drawing inspiration from Nina Simon's book, "The Art of Relevance" and their own personal leadership experiences, Jill and Tom engage in a rich dialogue about how to keep audiences at the center of every decision and what relevance means in today's arts and cultural sector. With guests: Tom Bird Spotify Play Episode • 52 min

Relevance and #LeadingWithYourEars | Part 1

S1E2 • Mon, Sep 18, 2023
Part 1 | In this two-part episode of "Leading the Way", Jill sits down with accomplished UK arts leader Tom Bird, Chief Executive at Sheffield Theatres. Drawing inspiration from Nina Simon's book, "The Art of Relevance" and their own personal leadership experiences, Jill and Tom engage in a rich dialogue about how to keep audiences at the center of every decision and what relevance means in today's arts and cultural sector. With guests: Tom Bird Spotify Play Episode • 39 min

Bright Spots in American Theatre

S1E1 • Mon, Sep 18, 2023
In this episode of Leading the Way, Jill highlights two theatre leaders and their organizations that are not just surviving but thriving in contrast to overwhelmingly negative narratives presently surrounding American theatre. Jill Anderson, Managing Director of Syracuse Stage and Vincent VanVleet, Executive Director of The Phoenix Theatre Company share how they've managed to keep their theatre organizations robust in financial stability, philanthropic engagement, artistic innovation, and mission fulfillment. With guests: Jill Anderson, Vincent VanVleet Spotify Play Episode • 57 min