The Value of Math



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 How many people go into the arts because they like numbers?  All of you!? 

In my high school statistics class there was a chart on the wall of about 50 different professions and the different kinds of math (ie geometry, calculus, statistics, algebra).  At the time I was convinced that I was going to be the U.S. cultural attache to some fabulous exotic country, and guess what, my profession totally wasn't on the list, nor was any other arts profession!

I was pretty convinced that I was off the hook and I was never going to need math.  I know all you arts administrators are laughing your hard working booties off right now, and with good reason.  Tracking numbers is a HUGE part of our job.  From building budgets to tracking your audience demographics to the click through rates on email campaigns, numbers can tell us almost anything.  The thing about numbers, however, is that you have to understand them to do anything with them.  So all youproducers and arts managers who don't love numbers, get yourself into a statistics class that's heavy on the excel and I promise it will change the way you do business for the better!