Arts professionals are using survey software to traverse distances and harvest data to validate the work of art in our left-brain society. As a result, we are now able to make a few claims about what the arts provide, what the arts need, and what the arts can do next.
I am looking for answers and connections when I come to a conference, and this year I am heading into the Americans for the Arts Arts Education sessions with some very specific questions based on a bundle of surveys that have been completed this past year about teaching artistry.
A comprehensive table of these surveys will be shared in the next few days, so we will circulate it after the conference. But, a sneak preview of the questions that are bubbling up is offered here. I reference ideas from Judith Tannenbaum in 2007 when she left the Anericans for the Arts conference and wrote “What Have We Got to Lose? Preserving the Important Qualities of the Teaching Artist Profession, While Still Moving Ahead with Its Professionalism.”
How will we preserve vision and cultural democracy as we urge leaders to centralize and institute regular support for our work? The surveys do share a vision for pooling resources and distributing power.
What will we do to prevent social justice from fading into service for the underprivileged? Many artists are being employed to tackle No Child Left Behind mandates instead of addressing causes and issues that generated the justification for NCLB.
Who will champion community arts work that is done in places other than formal institutions? Most of the surveys have a significant participation from organization administration.
What will happen to individual values and style? The surveys that address individuality require long narrative responses, and are more time-consuming to analyze.
How will we preserve the kind of learning that can only happen through trial and error? Most surveys reveal an abundance of methods embracing trial and error, yet a desire to move forward more effectively.
How will we be able to nurture and capture opportunities? Perhaps this conference will be one way.
Who will champion the understanding that teaching artists are artists? If this is a conference of arts-centered vision, we hope to find these answers in the outcomes.
Tagged with: Arts-EducationConventionEvents
June 18th, 2008 at 11:17am
Laura Reeder
I’ve just spent a few minutes recalling the NALAA/Americans for the Arts conferences I have attended, and I think the grand total is—good heavens—15! I’m having a bit of trouble with putting together the correct places and dates, though—I’ll have to check around the website and see if there’s a list so I can refresh my memory.
You’d think that after all these conferences, I might be less than enthusiastic about attending yet another one, but that’s not at all true. The convention is one of the highlights of my professional year. I reconnect with the friends I have made over my 20+ year career in community arts, I absorb great information and ideas from other places, and I get to be right in the thick of the national “conversation” about the essential importance of the arts in our society. Those contacts, that information, and that participation are invaluable tools for me to use every day in my work. I look forward to the annual convention with great anticipation and gusto, and always want to stay just a little longer so I can soak it all in.
I recently talked with a colleague here in Madison who is new to the community arts world and about to attend her first convention. She wanted to get some idea about how to get the most out of the convention—who the leaders were, what aspects of the conference were most important, what kinds of sessions to attend. Talking with her, I remembered my excitement and nervousness when I arrived at my first NALAA conference (Washington, 1986), and the thrill I felt as I began to realize that here were people I could talk to and learn from.
I still feel that thrill, and it’s why I’m so looking forward to Philadelphia. See you there!
Tagged with: ConventionEvents
June 16th, 2008 at 10:47am
Anne Katz
Convention is right around the corner and I can taste the anticipation in the air! I am hearing from so many people about how excited they are to see each other, to attend sessions and just be in the same room together. Yes, I oversee two program tracks (Leadership and Career360) and I will be working throughout the three+ days. But my convention experience is more than my job. It reconnects me with why I do the work that I do. Sometimes I attend other national convenings and it takes energy away from me. The people at our convention fill me with energy; they feed my soul. I can’t wait.
We have invited some attendees to blog their convention experience and I’d like to take a moment to introduce them now. (more…)
Tagged with: Arts-EducationBusinessEventsLeadershipVolunteerism
June 11th, 2008 at 09:22am
Rebecca Borden
Career 360 is a new, innovative dimension of our Annual Convention. So far,
the feedback we have been receiving confirms that lots of people are really
excited about participating in a full menu of discussions, appointments
and sessions.
At Career 360 Clinics, we have the best consultants in the country at your feet.
Looking for advice on your organization’s strategic, fundraising or marketing
plan? What about your community’s cultural policy plan or your local creative
economy initiative? Ask questions about public art master plans. Meet with
some coaches. Talk to arts administration faculty.
To make the most
of this opportunity, come prepared with specific questions, issues and topics.
You will only have 30-minutes – !use it wisely! - but you will get pointed
in the right direction for next steps.
The consultants
listed below will be available for 30-minute appointments. Sign up will be
available at CenterStage on first come, first serve basis. (more…)
Tagged with: EventsFundraisingLeadershipPolicyPublic-Art
June 5th, 2008 at 09:04am
Rebecca Borden
Career 360 is a new dimension of convention this year. It is happening on Saturday afternoon, June 21 and runs concurrently to ArtVenures and Walk&Talks. Looking for some career advice or ways to lead a sustainable career in the arts? This program is for you!
Career 360 begins over lunch with Talk Turkey (or Tofu) and a facilitated roundtable on various career development topics. Grab a sandwich from the buffet in CenterStage and head over to the Philadelphia Ballroom for the following discussions: (more…)
Tagged with: EventsLeadership
May 31st, 2008 at 02:14pm
Rebecca Borden
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