Charity Dynamics, a firm that works with non-profit groups, helped the Paramount design the application, where users can see a listing of upcoming shows, buy tickets, get a map and directions, register to become a member, make a donation, or access special offers. The app is free and available through iTunes.
"We make history every night at The Paramount, but we also understand the importance of staying up-to-date and connecting with today's tech-savvy audience," said the Paramount executive director Ken Stein.
From a technical standpoint, the theater's new iPhone application is built in to their online content system. Administrations can make a single show update on the web and have it reflected across multiple communication channels (web, Facebook, iPhone).

SXSW 2010: Austinist's List Of Day Shows, Afterparties, and More



I'd really encourage arts groups to develop mobile web applications that would work on more than one platform, rather than develop these custom programs for the platform dujour.
They're locking out a lot of cell phones with this and they're at the mercy of apple. If apple upgrades their API tomorrow they'll have to go back to their consulting agency to make changes.
A lesson all arts organizations can learn from.
This is one of those unecessary iPhone apps that duplicates a web application. Nothing described here is functionality that requires a standalone application. Had Charity Dynamics simply created a mobile-friendly version of the Paramount website, then as Tim says, it would work on for all cellphone users.
I'm a big fan of my iPhone, but this is one of those instances where some people have tried to jump on a bandwagon with no strong rationale for doing so.
Seth