Decoder with Nilay Patel Recode Decode: Deborah Rutter
Dec 2, 2019
Deborah Rutter, the president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, discusses innovative initiatives like The Reach, which promotes immersive learning in the arts. She highlights how technology can enhance audience engagement rather than detract from it. Rutter also explores the potential for art to bridge political divides and shares her vision for the Kennedy Center's future. With insights into audience participation and the evolution of performing arts, this conversation illuminates the challenges and opportunities facing cultural institutions today.
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Family of Arts
- Deborah Rutter's parents met while performing in a show together, fostering a love for the arts.
- This upbringing shaped her career path, despite both parents having traditional legal/financial professions.
Arts and Business
- Early arts management lacked formal training and had limited opportunities for women in leadership.
- Rutter's MBA provided essential business skills and confidence, complementing her arts passion.
Tech as a Tool
- Technology should serve the primary activity, not be the focus.
- Rutter learned this while building Seattle's Benaroya Hall, prioritizing technology's role in education and website development.