Martin Schott, is inspired
to be in-house.

Martin Schott is Creative Director at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, one of 11 resident organizations on Lincoln Center’s 16.3 acre campus. He responsible for developing creative visual strategies to support Lincoln Center’s brand identity, including programming (American Songbook, Great Performers, Lincoln Center Festival, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Midsummer Night Swing, Mostly Mozart Festival, White Light Festival and Live from Lincoln Center), fundraising and education.

Prior to his current role, Martin worked at Christie’s auction house, where he served as Vice President and Creative Director of the Americas, developing marketing initiatives for some of the most expensive fine art, jewelry, furniture and decorative arts ever sold at auction.

Martin grew up in Switzerland and graduated from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.

Martin was one of our featured speakers at the inaugural In-House Perspectives event in 2015, and shares with InSource his insights for being an in-house creative.

1. Your full name

   Martin Roman Schott

2. Where do you work?

   What does your company do? Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. (LCPA). We are one of 11 arts organizations that reside at Lincoln Center, celebrating great art with programs that cross multiple genres for all audiences to enjoy, on and off Lincoln Center’s campus.

3. What types of services does your team specialize in?

   We develop and execute materials for LCPA’s programming, fundraising, educational and new initiatives. This includes identities and seasonal campaigns for all programs, collateral for events and galas, annual reports and proposals.

4. How many people make up your team?

   Creative Services has seven team members including design and production staff.

5. Your title/role within the company

   Creative Director

6. What was your very first job in this field?

   Upon graduating from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA, I came to New York and started as Graphic Designer at a design/advertising studio in Chelsea.

7. Share a best-practice leadership experience

   The advantage of an in-house team is that it knows the brand. Projects that are time sensitive can be turned around incredibly fast that otherwise would require a number of meetings with an agency. Leading my team, I give the project scope, initial ideas and pointers but give space to create, shaping the result in the process. Last fall Lincoln Center launched its inaugural Global Exchange conference, which brought together an international group of leaders and change agents to discuss how art and culture can be even more effective in fostering vibrant cities, healthy citizens, and strong communities worldwide. While we established the conference’s identity in advance, the nature of finalizing the program until the last minute required the team and our colleagues to pull together to produce the materials in time for the event.

8. What are you working on now that you’re excited about?

   As Lincoln Center is constantly evolving, it’s no longer just a physical destination. The visitor’s experience has been expanded to a revitalized digital platform with new and rich historic content accessible anywhere at anytime. We are defining the next phase of our brand. Further we are preparing materials for this summer‘s 50th anniversary of our Mostly Mozart Festival, which features a spectacular program.

9. If you could share one piece of advice for an up-and-coming creative leader what would it be?

   Find an industry, brand or product that you are excited and passionate about and wholeheartedly pursue it. As an in-house professional you are dedicating your time to promoting your company. Make it worthwhile.

10. What inspires you?

    The reflecting pool with the Henry Moore sculpture on Lincoln Center’s campus. I pass it everyday, yet the reflections of light and surroundings are different every time. Well-crafted and designed products. Experiencing interiors and architecture. Taking new routes and travel.

11. What is the first thing you do each day to organize yourself?

    Have breakfast with my daughters. Focus on the week’s priorities.

12. Have you noticed any changes or trends for in-house creatives in the past year?

    There are more platforms available for information and insights thanks to InSource, AIGA and In-House Exchange by Fulcrum who all organize great events, bringing the best leaders in the industry together.

13. What has been your greatest challenge as a creative leader?

    As creative professionals our work is our passion. We are constantly scanning the aesthetics of our environment and want to improve upon every project. We post and consume design on social media. It is hard to unplug at times and not to commit to everything.

14. Describe the career path you have taken and where you see yourself next

     I have been fortunate to work in the arts in both the profit and not for-profit sectors. At Christie’s, I was exposed to some of the greatest works of art up-close and witnessed auction world records set in the sale rooms, basically experiencing an art history education as part of my role of leading the in-house design team. Now, at LCPA I see some of the world’s greatest artists on stage, learning from my passionate colleagues about different music and performance genres, which is very rewarding. I will pursue my development on the cultural path.