Hi all!

It’s your friendly neighborhood Annual Convention programming lead here, with some fresh Friday news!

I wanted to just quickly send out a shout out to the 60+ speakers listed below who are going to be creating session and roundtable content for the 2022 Americans for the Arts Annual Convention. The ideas below (which I’ve popped in here just in case you don’t want to jump over to the full schedule, where you can find session descriptions as well) represent the best in what’s new, next, and pressing for the field as we emerge, converge, and carry forward together. All these beautiful humans are being compensated for their labor with an honorarium and a complimentary registration—we are so grateful to them for their work.

Please scan through below and reach out to any of the folks you know to celebrate them—they’re doing the good work and helping proliferate great ideas across the country!

Some quick reminders:

The Convention will take place May 18-20, 2022 in Washington, D.C. We can accommodate up to 500 attendees to maintain health and safety protocols.
You can register and learn more about all aspects of the Annual Convention at http://convention.artsusa.org.
Registration must close by April 18, 2022—and unlike previous years we will not be able to accommodate any on-site registrations!
You have until April 8 to submit for registration support to attend the in-person Annual Convention, and until May 18 to submit for support in accessing digital on-demand recorded content.

That’s it – thank you so much, take a look below, give these amazing contributors some love, register so we can all see each other IRL, and keep well!

Clay

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Interactive Session: Newcomers and New-At-Heart Meet-and-Greet

Ruby Lopez Harper, Vice President of Equity and Local Arts Engagement, Americans for the Arts
Clay Lord, Vice President of Strategic Impact, Americans for the Arts

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Welcome Reception: Let’s Come Together in the Open Air

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Morning Mainstage: Welcome, State of the Arts, Debut of Arts + Social Impact Explorer 2.0, and Opening Keynote

Nolen V. Bivens, President and CEO, Americans for the Arts
Clay Lord, Vice President of Strategic Impact, Americans for the Arts
And more speakers to be announced!

11:00 AM - 12:15 PM (Breakouts)

Panel: NEA Grants: Overview of Opportunities

Michael Orlove, Director of State, Regional, & Local Partnerships, National Endowment for the Arts
Lara Holman Garritano, State and Regional Specialist, National Endowment for the Arts

Panel: Public Art and its Impact on Community Recovery and Regeneration

Nick Anderson, Senior Associate, Creative Strategies, UAP (Urban Art Projects)
And more speakers to be announced!

Roundtables: Research and Evaluation // Social Impact & Public Value

In each Roundtable session, you can visit 3 of the tables to hear 20-minute capsule presentations.

Art To The People: How to Help Our Communities Heal Via Creative Wellness Practices

Presented by Zoë Lintzeris, Visual Artist, Arts in Health Specialist and Consultant

Arts-Based Social Mobility: Exploring Cultural Capital in Charlotte, NC

Presented by Meg Whalen, Director of Communications & External Relations, UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture

Comparing the Effectiveness of Online vs. In-Person Arts Education

Presented by Andrew R. Olah, Statistician and Research Consultant, The Junkin Group, LLC

Creating Resilient Communities Begins with the Arts

Presented by Janet Newcomb, Executive Director, National Coalition for Arts' Preparedness & Emergency Response (NCAPER)

Cultural Districts: Civic Engagement, Social Infrastructure, and Third Spaces

Presented by Hsin-Ching Wu, Assistant Professor, College of Charleston

Everyone's Welcome: Creating Mission Statements That Reflect Community Values

Presented by Andrew Brown, Admissions Counselor, University of Indianapolis

Failing Forward: Using Visual Art to Promote a Growth Mindset

Presented by Brittany Arnold, Teen & Family Coordinator, Scottsdale Arts

Impacts of Arts Education: How Do We Know It Matters?

Presented by Ruth Mercado-Zizzo, Vice President, Programs and Equity, EdVestors

¡Looking Bilingüe! The Power & Permanence of Storytelling in the Latiné Community

Presented by Jade Cintrón Báez, Founder, Artistic Director & Host, ¡Looking Bilingüe!

Measuring The Collective Impact of Community-driven Public Art

Presented by Jing Huang, MS/MPH candidate, Tufts University

Public Art on a Shoestring Budget

Presented by Brendan Smith, Arts and Humanities Coordinator, City of Takoma Park, MD

The Funding Gaps COVID-19 is Exposing

Presented by Gregory Burbidge, Research Manager, Calgary Arts Development

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Midday Mainstage: The Role of Public Art and Civic Design in a Transforming Country

Juanita Hardy, Managing Principal, Tiger Management Consulting Group LLC
Jorge and Darlene Pérez, founders, The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation (pre-recorded remarks)
Patricia Walsh, Director, Creative Community Advancement, Americans for the Arts
2022 Jorge and Darlene Pérez Prize for Public Art and Civic Design winner to be announced!

2:30 PM - 3:45 PM (Breakouts)

Panel: Research Round-Up

Randy Cohen, Vice President of Research, Americans for the Arts
Sunil Iyengar, Director, Office of Research & Analysis, National Endowment for the Arts
Jill Sonke, Director, Center for the Arts in Medicine, University of Florida College of the Arts
Zannie Voss, Director, SMU DataArts
David Andersson, Arts Team, Bloomberg Associates
And more speakers to be announced!

Panel: Transforming Cultural Impact through Social Innovation

Dr. Karisa Antonio, Director of Social Innovation, Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Claudie Mabry, Director of Social Innovation, Kaufman Music Center

Roundtables: Advocacy, Policy, and Civic Engagement // Arts Education & Lifelong Learning

In each Roundtable session, you can visit 3 of the tables to hear 20-minute capsule presentations.

Arts Advocacy for Local Elections

Presented by Daniel Fitzmaurice, Chief of Staff, Americans for the Arts

Case Study in Cultural Asset Mapping: Nos Vemos/We See Us

Presented by Holly Hampton, Senior Manager, Transportation Planning Metro Art, LA Metro

Comparing the Effectiveness of Online vs. In-Person Arts Education

Presented by Andrew R. Olah, Statistician and Research Consultant, The Junkin Group, LLC

Connected Arts Networks: Leveraging Arts Learning Communities

Presented by Amy Appleton, Connected Arts Networks Project Director, National Art Education Association

Impacts of Arts Education: How Do We Know It Matters?

Presented by Ruth Mercado-Zizzo, Vice President, Programs and Equity, EdVestors

Linking Arts and Language Learning for Multilingual Learners

Presented by Erin Loughran, Associate Director of ELL Programs, ArtsConnection

Making Change While Making a Living

Presented by Elizabeth Stookey-Sunde, Co-Founder/Executive Director, Music to Life

Preparing Students to Develop and Manage Educational Programs for Arts Organizations

Presented by Joshua Ritter, Lecturer/Theatre Manager, UNC Greensboro

The Funding Gaps COVID-19 is Exposing

Presented by Gregory Burbidge, Research Manager, Calgary Arts Development

Youth, Adult, & Senior Arts Program Development for Parks and Recreation Departments

Presented by Rebecca Pate, Recreation and Arts Specialist, City of Manchester

4:15 PM - 5:30 PM (Breakouts)

Panel: Disrupting Philanthropy by Watering the Seeds of Creativity

John Davis, Leadership Team, Racing Magpie/Waterers.org
Michelle Dubray, Director, Pinto Horse Woman Consulting

Panel: The Future of For- and Nonprofit Arts Relationships

Frank Cullen, Jr., Vice President, Global Innovation Policy Center, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Jessica Stern, Senior Manager, Local Arts and Business Partnerships, Americans for the Arts
Amy Webb, Senior Director of Business Programs and Partnerships, Americans for the Arts

And more speakers to be announced!

Roundtables: Creative Economy & Creative Workforce // Public Art & Civic Design

In each Roundtable session, you can visit 3 of the tables to hear 20-minute capsule presentations.

Activating Data: Creative Strategies and New Approaches to Digital Public Art Collection Management

Presented by Lori Goldstein, Manager, Public Art Archive, WESTAF

Advancing Indigenous Performance: Native American Performing Artists Making a Difference

Presented by Scott Stoner, Evaluation/Program Consultant, AIP Program, Arts for Now

Case Study in Cultural Asset Mapping: Nos Vemos/We See Us

Presented by Holly Hampton, Senior Manager, Transportation Planning Metro Art, LA Metro

Creating Equity and Access in Cultural Ecosystems through Shared Digital Infrastructure

Presented by Samuel Bowler, Founder, Director, Culturalyst

Creating Tomorrow’s Leaders through Multifaceted Arts Education

Presented by Anna Klimala, President, Miami Music Project

Cultural Districts: Civic Engagement, Social Infrastructure, and Third Spaces

Presented by Hsin-Ching Wu, Assistant Professor, College of Charleston

Engagement and Activation of Public Art Collection

Presented by Deirdre Ehlen MacWilliams, Public Art Project Manager, Arlington Public Art

How Virtual Communities Support Creative Placemaking

Presented by Megan Ihnen, Executive Director, Live Music Projecct

Measuring The Collective Impact of Community-driven Public Art

Presented by Jing Huang, MS/MPH candidate, Tufts University

NoCo Mural Mile: A Community Created Mural Walk

Presented by Emily Dippie, Public Art Administrator, Jeffersonville Public Art Administrator

Public Art on a Shoestring Budget

Presented by Brendan Smith, Arts and Humanities Coordinator, City of Takoma Park, MD

Recognition & Representation: The Power of The Superhero Project

Presented by Lisa Kollins, Founder/Executive Director, The Superhero Project

FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022

9:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Morning Mainstage: Hopes, Dreams, and Goals as Part of the Americans for the Arts Strategic Realignment Process

In this interactive mainstage presentation and conversation with you, Americans for the Arts staff and board members, joined by facilitators from Hope Nation and Arts Consulting Group, will share the steps we are taking to strategically realign the organization and plan for the future. We will then embark on a fun, arts-centric collaborative process with attendees to look toward the future, map the hopes and dreams of the field, and celebrate our shared, ongoing transformation. Using the frames of Appreciative Inquiry, attendees will have the opportunity not only to weigh in on the future form and function of Americans for the Arts, but to share their own hopes, dreams, and goals for their organization and community.

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM (Breakouts)

Panel: Principles and Purpose of Trauma Informed Arts & Organizations

Dr. Kyna Elliott, Ph.D., Executive Director, Global Arts Creative

Panel: We Are Bound: What Is Needed to Improve Treatment of Creative Workers

Lisa Yancey, President, Yancey Consulting
Clay Lord, Vice President of Strategic Impact, Americans for the Arts

Roundtables: The Next Big Things // Workplace Culture

In each Roundtable session, you can visit 3 of the tables to hear 20-minute capsule presentations.

Creating Equity and Access in Cultural Ecosystems through Shared Digital Infrastructure

Presented by Samuel Bowler, Founder, Director, Culturalyst

Creating Tomorrow’s Leaders through Multifaceted Arts Education

Presented by Anna Klimala, President, Miami Music Project

Getting Rid of Gatekeepers: The New Play Exchange

Presented by Gwydion Suilebhan, Project Director, New Play Exchange, National New Play Network

How Virtual Communities Support Creative Placemaking

Presented by Megan Ihnen, Executive Director, Live Music Projecct

Making Change While Making a Living

Presented by Elizabeth Stookey-Sunde, Co-Founder/Executive Director, Music to Life

Relationships, Retention, and Revenue

Presented by Antoinette Kula, Senior Manager, Ticket Sales and Service, Playhouse Square

Resiliency and the Arts: Lessons Learned from Hurrricane Harvey

Presented by Lauren Hainley, Director, Disaster Services, Houston Arts Alliance

Social Survival: Art, Economy, & Wellbeing in Absence of Third Spaces

Presented by Denese Neu, Consultant, Social Infrastructure Consultancy

The Great Transformation: How COVID-19 is Shifting Our Work Culture

Presented by Nicole Touzien, Executive Director, Dancewave

The New Age of Arts Journalism: Locally-Driven Advocacy for Increased Community Engagement in the Arts

Presented by Carrie Beth Wallace, Founder, Editor-in-chief, The Columbusite

Using Enlightenment in the Arts to Increase Arts Participation

Presented by Sonimar Maldonado-Alvarado, Development and Communications Associate, Ann Arbor Art Center (A2AC)

Virtual & Hybrid Events: They're Important & Here to Stay

Presented by Rowen Haigh, Director of Education and Outreach, National Women's Theatre Festival

12:45 PM - 1:45 PM

Midday Mainstage: The 2022 Johnson Fellows in Dialogue

Charya Burt, master dancer, choreographer, vocalist, and teacher of Classical Cambodian Dance
Christopher “Mad Dog” Thomas, footwork dancer, activist, and youth mentor
Roko Kawai, dancer and choreographer (moderator)

2:15 PM - 3:30 PM (Breakouts)

Panel: Advocacy for What Matters (to You)

Madison Cario, CEO, Minnesota Street Project

Panel: Social Justice as a Foundation for Engaging the Community

Donna Walker-Kuhne, President, Walker Communications Group

Roundtables: Cultural and Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion // Grantmaking and Resource Distribution

In each Roundtable session, you can visit 3 of the tables to hear 20-minute capsule presentations.

Advancing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Arts & Design Higher Education

Presented by Deborah Obalil, President & Executive Director, Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design (AICAD)

Advancing Indigenous Performance: Native American Performing Artists Making a Difference

Presented by Scott Stoner, Evaluation/Program Consultant, AIP Program, Arts for Now

Arts-based social mobility: Exploring cultural capital in Charlotte, NC

Presented by Meg Whalen, Director of Communications & External Relations, UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture

Autistic Student Engagement in Theatre and Dance Classrooms

Presented by Winter Phong, Assistant Professor and Director of Arts Administration, Oklahoma State University

Everyone's Welcome: Creating Mission Statements That Reflect Community Values

Presented by Andrew Brown, Admissions Counselor, University of Indianapolis

Getting Rid of Gatekeepers: The New Play Exchange

Presented by Gwydion Suilebhan, Project Director, New Play Exchange, National New Play Network

¡Looking Bilingüe! The Power & Permanence of Storytelling in the Latiné Community

Presented by Jade Cintrón Báez, Founder, Artistic Director & Host, ¡Looking Bilingüe!

More Than Money: Providing Support Beyond Funding

Presented by Phil Davis, Countywide Arts Coordinator, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

Recognition & Representation: The Power of The Superhero Project

Presented by Lisa Kollins, Founder/Executive Director, The Superhero Project

The Role of Mentorship in Creating a More Equitable Creative Economy

Presented by Mylo Mendez, Muralist, Creative Action

White Supremacy in the American Cultural Sector

Presented by Bejamen Douglas, Fellow & PhD student, Applied Intercultural Arts Research, University of Arizona

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Closing Mainstage: Onward

Close out the 2022 Annual Convention with a keynote speaker offering a vision of a creative future and closing remarks from Americans for the Arts President and CEO Nolen V. Bivens.

___________________________

Clayton Lord (he/him)

Vice President of Strategic Impact
Americans for the Arts

We’ve Moved! Please note our new address:

1275 K Street NW, Suite 1200

Washington, DC 20005-4069

202.371.2830 x2022