Arik Beatty

Consultant

Arik Beatty brings over fifteen years of experience in the arts nonprofit sector, focusing on the intersection of technology and people. Before joining JCA, Arik spent seven years at Writers Theatre, where he held various roles in fundraising and administration, including his most recent role as Associate Director of Technology. During his tenure, Arik managed the Tessitura database and provided essential operational support across the organization. Notably, he spearheaded the transition to a remote workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, successfully launching a new fleet of Macs for the team.

Arik’s contributions extend beyond Writers Theatre. At the Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre, he produced the 2015 Gamm Gala and co-created the Rhode Island Teaching Artists Center. At WaterFire Providence, he provided videography services and digitized the company’s music library. His passion for the arts and technology is complemented by a BA in Theatre Arts from Brown University.

Outside of work, Arik is a foodie and loves exploring the Chicago food scene. He also enjoys swing dancing and immersing himself in movies, television, and live theatre. He lives in Evanston, IL, with his wife, son, and their two Mini Australian Shepherds.

MORE ABOUT ARIK

Where do you work? Where are you from?

I live and work in the Skokie/Evanston area, just north of Chicago. I grew up in the neighboring suburb of Wilmette—it’s been lovely being back in this community since returning to the area in 2016.

What do you do at JCA?

As a consultant on the Arts Marketing team, I work to help arts and cultural organizations optimize revenue, attendance, and audience engagement using data-driven strategies. I play an essential role in client engagements, working independently and as part of a team, ensuring that projects successfully achieve their objectives. Specifically, I work as a Tessitura, ticketing CRM, and data ecosystem expert.

What is your background? What brought you to JCA?

My parents are opera nerds and raised my sister and me with an appreciation for the arts. When I came home for fall break of my sophomore year of college and said that instead of concentrating in neuroscience, I wanted to swap over to Theatre Arts, they were not surprised. The science part of my brain has always enjoyed working with data, so I quickly fell in love with Tessitura when I was introduced in 2017. I’m excited to join JCA to help multiple organizations across the industry further their missions by streamlining and supporting their database needs.

What do you do outside of JCA?

I love taking a trip to the Montrose Dog Beach or to Prairie Wolf (44-acres of fields, trails, and a pond) with the dogs! They may be shepherds, but they love playing fetch. They also enjoy canine agility, which has become one of my favorite hobbies. When we’re not binge-watching streaming shows, my wife and I enjoy swing dancing (Lindy Hop) and trips to the Chicago Botanic Garden.