New study shows that art and architechture jobs have the highest unemployment

Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce is reporting that those with degrees in the arts and architecture are reposrting higher rates of unemployment than those in health, education and agricultural fields.

People with arts degrees are unemployed at a rate of 11% while health falls at 5.4%, education 5.4 %, and agriculture and natural resources 7 %.

As an arts administrator, this is hardly unsurprising.  We’ve been hearing for a while how health fields, such as nursing, are desperate to hire qualified people.  With dramatic funding cuts and a tough fundraising climate, many arts organizations are cutting back on their budgets, including staff resources.  Unfortunately, this means that qualified singers, actors, stage hands, lighting designers, and arts administrators are employed at a lower rate than our peers in other fields.

Read the full Washington Post article.

Can you pick out the Stradivarius?

In a recent double-blind test, researchers challenged season violinists to a test:  pick out the classic Stradivarius violin against a newer one, just made.  Shockingly over 60% of the musicians preferred the newer model!

Read the whole article at NPR and even listen to clips of the two violins and see for yourself which sounds better!

What are the 30 social media trends happening right now?

Our friends at the Social Media Examiner bring us the 30 hot social media trends for this year. My favorite is #29: Businesses invest in quality content.

Because what’s it all about if not quality?

To see the full list, click here: http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/30-social-media-predictions-for-2012-from-the-pros/

Gmail Motion is all the rage…not

This morning, Google came out with an April Fool’s joke called Gmail Motion. They touted that “Gmail Motion uses your computer’s built-in webcam and Google’s patented spatial tracking technology to detect your movements and translate them into meaningful characters and commands. Movements are designed to be simple and intuitive for people of all skill levels.”

I’m scared…and intrigued if this is actually possible someday!

Google for non-profits – all the tools in one place

Google recently organized all of their tools in one easy to use location:  Google for Non-profits. Here, you can find access to all of Google’s great free tools such as Analytics and Calendar.  You can also apply for their Google Grants program, which awards eligible non profits up to $10,000 a month in free Google advertising.

I’m personally just learning how to set up a Google Sites account to host documents for Miss Boston so we can use one central upload location.  I’m hoping it will help streamline operations and reduce the amount of duplication and paperwork for the pageant.

Apply for Google for non profits here or check out all of their products.

The 2011 Annual Arts Administration Conference in Boston, April 7-9, 2011

I hope you can make it to the Annual Arts Administration Conference, here in Boston next month! The sessions will cover everything from how to effectively advocate for the arts, how to manage your career in arts administration and a keynote message from Rebecca Blunk, Executive Director, New England Foundation for the Arts.

Welcome New Boston World Partnership Connectors!

Remember the Boston World Partnership Network I mentioned last week?  Now you can see the full list of new Connectors and browse their website to learn more about the organization!

http://www.bostonworldpartnerships.com/2011/03/17/welcome-new-connectors/