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What is this Site About?

Eugene Carr

Updated: Jan 15

This website is all about something I’m deeply passionate about: the intersection of arts and technology. 

I’ve been involved in arts and technology for a long time—long enough that sharing this story feels like digging into the dark ages!  My tech journey really began in my very first job as Operations Manager of the American Symphony Orchestra in 1983, where I was fortunate to have a forward-thinking boss who interested in the orchestra using cutting-edge technology to run the organization better.

In my very first week, he bought an Apple III with an 5 MB external hard drive - this was the most cutting edge consumer/business computer on the market -- in an era when few offices had personal computers. Budgeting for arts organizations was still largely done manually, as spreadsheet software was in its infancy. A groundbreaking tool called VisiCalc (a precursor to Excel) had just emerged, and my boss was eager to use it for the orchestra’s budgeting. That computer was a significant investment, but I quickly became adept at using it.  

That experience ignited my fascination with leveraging innovative business practices and technology to support the arts. My professional journey, detailed in the About section, details how I went from working at (and later being the executive director of) and orchestra in New York city, to becoming a serial tech entrepreneur. 

What do I mean by helping the arts exactly?  I think new technology can roughly segregate into two broad categories:

  1. Supporting arts organizations by improving their operations and efficiency. This is no different than any business in any industry. 

  2. Engaging new audiences or fostering interest in the arts.

For as long as I’ve been around the arts industry, people have been concerned about aging audiences and the declining interest of younger generations. However, here we are - and the audiences are still older, and challenges persist. However, the emergence of new technologies, particularly augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), offers exciting opportunities to reignite interest and even transform art forms that have endured for centuries. This prospect is incredibly energizing.

As I get started, I envision this site to have three types of content:

  1. My insights on Entrepreneurship:  Drawing from my experience and guests, I’ll offer advice and strategies for entrepreneurs aiming to build sustainable arts-technology businesses.

  2. Interviews with entrepreneurs who are creating innovative arts-related technologies. These posts will showcase what’s happening in the field now. 

  3. A resource for potential investors interested in supporting the arts in a new way by investing in tech startups.  I hope to connect investors with opportunities that align with their interests. Additionally, this platform will serve as a conduit for my network of investors, allowing me to quickly share compelling stories and businesses with them. 

Over time, I hope this site becomes a valuable resource for industry professionals and carves out a unique niche. There aren’t many voices discussing the critical intersection of arts and technology, and that’s exactly where I want this website to make its mark.

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