Zócalo Public Square

Arts organizations have crunched much data and spent many fortunes in search of new ways to engage younger people and those who previously did not spend much time at concerts or in galleries. Their cutting-edge strategies are about meeting people where they are, and delivering more of the arts they want. But does the public even know what it wants? Have all the investments in outreach, digital displays and technology produced results? Or are we learning that attracting audiences is itself less a science and more an art? These were some questions posed at a panel discussion, “What Does the Public Want From the Arts?” at a Zócalo /Irvine Foundation conference, “What Can the World Teach California About Arts Engagement?” Speakers on the panel included moderator Chris Jones, the chief theater critic for the Chicago Tribune; Randi Korn, founding director of museum planning specialists Randi Korn & Associates, Mexico City-based performing arts curator and consultant Cristina King Miranda, and Japanese American Cult