Diversity as a Catalyst for Organizational Change
This timely and important workshop focuses on the power of diversity as a catalyst for organizational change and advancement, both internally—in terms of staff and board development—and externally—in anticipation of dynamically shifting population trends and the critical need to effectively communicate across lines of difference.

Learn best practices and easy to implement ideas to expand your audiences, retain talent and grow organizational effectiveness. 

Presenters
Deanna Shoss, Intercultural Talk
Tracie D. Hall, GoodSeed Consulting

Addressing Change in Established Organizations
Change is inevitable, but it isn’t always easy. Hear from new and long-term leaders who have identified the need for and implemented change within established arts institutions.

Moderator
Jodi Kavensky, Rock Island Arts Advisory Committee

Panelists
Carmen Darland, Quad City Arts
Sean O’Harrow, Figge Art Museum
Jeff vom Saal, Quad City Symphony

Technology 2.0: Keeping up with changing tech tools
Learn about a variety of technologies and tools to help you better manage information, keep your constituents informed, and meet new audience members online.

This overview session will serve as a preparation for the hands-on Technology 2.0 sessions on Tuesday.

Presenters
Sara Schnadt, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Chicago Artists Resource

Art & Communications in a Changing Digital Landscape
Understand key digital trends and get recommendations on actionable ways to leverage digital marketing in order to share information, promote the arts and contribute to the bottom line.

Topics will include building an online presence, search engine optimization, social media solutions and effective web strategies.

Presenters
Misty Klobucher, Agency Marketing Manager, Simantel
Andrew Tuma, Senior Digital Strategist, Simantel
Caryn Hinkson, Digital Project Coordinator, Simantel

Taking Command of Your Core Values
Core values are the guiding principals that help a leader, an organization or an artist define what they stand for. When it comes to leading and growing a brand, core values hold the secret to unlocking clear communications.

This workshop will take you through the necessary steps to articulate your core values and enable you to bridge the gap between your core values and your audience’s perception of your business.

Presenter
Corey Blake, Writers of the Round Table Inc.

Developing Downtown as a Key Economic Driver
Be a part of the change you wish to see in your community. Learn firsthand about the joys and challenges of developing a vision and strategy for revitalizing downtown through the arts, and hear from experienced developers and city officials how to navigate the ins and outs of transforming a downtown area into a thriving neighborhood for the arts and business.

Presenters
Pat Sullivan, developer
Craig Hullinger, City of Peoria
(Additional speakers TBA)

Perspectives in Teaching Artist Training
Engage in a lively round table discussion on best practices for training teaching artists in urban, rural and suburban settings. 

Conversation will be guided by the observations and expertise of four dance and drama artists who have worked with teaching artists throughout Illinois and nationally. 

Come and share your questions and perspectives on the needs, challenges, and opportunities afforded by the growing field of teaching artistry. 

Facilitators
Vaune Blalock, Muntu Dance Theatre
Beth Bowman, Creative Directions
Ed Erickson, Creative Directions
Karen L. Erickson, Creative Directions

Monday Evening with the Arts
Continue your conference experience and explore Peoria on one of these unique arts tours. 

Space is limited; advanced registration and an additional $20 fee are required for all tours.  Cost includes an evening meal and a special artistic adventure. 

Click here for details

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Tuesday, June 2

Technology 2.0: Hands On

Get hands on guided tours of new (or new to you) email and social media tools and discover how they can help you with marketing, outreach and communications. Limited space is available; advance registration on Monday, June 1 will be required.  Extra seats are available for those with their own laptop computers.

Special thanks to BradleyUniversity for hosting this session. 

Illinois Cultural Data Project
Learn about this exciting project that’s coming to Illinois in 2009.  The Cultural Data Project (CDP) will benefit the cultural sector by providing comprehensive, standardized data on the arts and culture community.

The CDP will allow arts managers to make smarter decisions based on easy to access data and enable the cultural community to articulate and provide evidence for the sector’s assets, needs, and its contributions to the state.

Presenters
TBA

Dr.’s Hours
Struggling with a marketing message? Need help starting your own arts festival?

Sit down for short, one-on-one sessions to get help on a specific topic from peers and local experts who have faced (and conquered) similar challenges. 

Building an Effective Board
The board of directors is at the core of any successful organization.  Learn tools to improve board dynamics and engage and empower board members, regardless of organizational size, location or economic circumstance.

Presenters
Rachel Combs, Music Theatre Workshop
Phyllis Johnson, Music Theatre Workshop
Nancy McCarty, Music Theatre Workshop
Andrew Micheli, Arts & Business Council of Chicago

Small Town, Not Small Time
Small town venues can play a prominent role in the success of the professional artist.  Learn tried and true techniques for creating fun and profitable events that actually work better in small towns than in larger ones as well as how to turn big city techniques into small town turnover. 

Presenter
Clare Lynd-Porter, The Imagine Foundation
(Additional presenters TBA)

Building the 21st Century Agenda for Cultural Democracy
Presented in partnership with The Association of American Cultures (TAAC)

Explore what is required to further advance cultural democracy platforms in today’s new era of change.  TAAC convenes artists and cultural workers that are reflective of our pluralistic society to inform and advocate for democratic cultural policy.  

TAAC was founded in 1985 and has sponsored eleven biennial Open Dialogues to address issues of cultural diversity in the arts.  Illinois will host Open Dialogue XII in 2010.

ADA Basics for Cultural and Arts Organizations
Have you ever really considered what it means to be ADA compliant?  Learn about the history of the ADA, its purpose and how it relates to your organization. Leave with resources and tools to welcome a new audience to your organization.

Presenter
Encarnación M. Teruel, ADA Coordinator, Illinois Arts Council
(Additional presenters TBA)

Changing of the Guard
Every arts organization will one day face a change in leadership – with or without advanced notice. 

When that change comes, you can panic and hope for the best, or you can confidently face the transition sure in the knowledge that you’ve developed a solid leadership succession plan. 

Relevant whether your organization is facing an immenent transition or has ample time to prepare, this hands-on workshop will provide first-hand insights into developing a succession plan that engages key stakeholders, answers critical questions and addresses your organization’s unique planning needs.

Presenters
Ra Joy, Illinois Arts Alliance
Justine Nagan, Kartemquin Films
Gordon Quinn, Kartemquin Films
(Additional presenters TBA)

Making the Case for the Arts in Rural Community Development
The impact of the arts reaches far beyond major metropolitan areas. Re-examine Richard Florida’s premise that the “creative class” is destined solely for cities and discuss concrete strategies for measuring the presence and economic impact of the arts in rural communities.

Presenters
Chris Merrett, Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, Western Illinois University
Nicole Weigand, Peace Corps Fellow, Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, Western Illinois University 

Philanthropy in a Changing Economy
Raising money is never easy, and the current state of the economy offers special challenges.  Learn and share best practices for diversifying your organization’s funding base to make it through the recession intact.

Presenters
Tyrone Freeman, The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University