I have finally found some time to go through my conference notes from the Americans for the Arts (AFTA) Convention earlier this month. This was my first time attending the convention and I must say it was completely overwhelming: especially the amount of information shared, number of panel options, and the size of the opening reception! I found that sitting down with the conference schedule and a list of career goals was the only way to decide what panels to attend. So, what did I want to get out of this conference?

As an emerging leader I have found that continued learning is important to building my knowledge base and creating new pathways for professional growth. I want to learn to facilitate creative thinking, create a collaborative learning experience at any organization, and not be afraid of the ambiguity that comes with trying to build a career in the arts field. My goal for this conference was to enrich my theoretical background as an arts administrator while picking up some practical tips related to arts funding and advocacy. I have summed up my experience in three words: Innovation and Learning and Logic Models! Oh my!

INNOVATION

One entire panel was based on a new program through EmcArts that focuses on giving organizations a safe space to innovate. The New Pathways for the Arts Initiative offers grants that allow organizations the chance to develop innovative strategies and strengthen their adaptability without being afraid of breaking the bank. Understanding that innovation is relative is key to the success of this program and important for how we think about innovation. Knowing that everyone comes from a different background and has had different experiences is important when evaluating the success of an idea or program. This idea is also critical for innovative leaders.

Both Rosetta Thurman, author of How to Become a Nonprofit Rockstar, and Richard Evans, EmcArts, shared their thoughts of innovative leadership and professional development throughout the weekend. Leaders today need to be adaptable, facilitative, and collaborative: we cannot just lead and hope everyone will follow. It was also pointed out that anyone can be a leader within an organization. I have already gone through EmcArts’ Ten Actions Typical of Highly Innovative Leaders and will be picking up Thurman’s book soon, because I am interested in the new leadership paradigm and how I can work to be an innovative leader throughout my career.

LEARNING

Yes, I know a conference is all about learning, but one particular thought sparked my interest: creating an organizational culture of learning. Multiple panels discussed lifelong learning as a tool for staff and board members. EmcArts’ handout (above) mentions that effective innovators are constantly looking at external influences and scanning the field for good ideas. Continued learning can ensure arts organizations do not re-invent the wheel and creates connections to other organizations around the world.

One-on-one mentoring is also another way that learning can happen.  Both as a personal and organizational tool, mentoring is successful when the pair trusts and respects each other. Many mentoring programs are formal ways of sharing information, but mentoring does not have to be formalized. As an informal mentee myself, I have learned so much from our conversations and the opportunities I have been given. Mentoring should never be a chore; it should always be about sharing your ideas and thoughts for mutual growth.

LOGIC MODELS

Please excuse my moment of geek here, but I have to share the work being done by ArtsWave in Cinncinnati, OH and Ian David Moss, Research Director for Fractured Atlas. Formerly known as the Fine Arts Fund, ArtsWave has reinvented the way they give grants to ensure organizations are creating a vibrant community by bringing more people together around art. The steering committee for this project included community members from many diverse backgrounds to discuss and create a plan that ensured the entire Cincinnati community access to the arts. The logic model that was created to help guide the plan is amazing to look over and think about. So click here to see ArtsWave’s Program Theory logic model.

(P.S. Moss wrote a great post yesterday defending logic models that you can check out here.)

Whew! Conferences can make you tired just thinking about them. Well I guess I have a book to pick up and read this summer, but at least I can do it by the pool!

Guess what? Multi-day conferences are overwhelming. It’s only now as I sit on the plane that I can fully digest the 2012 Americans for the Arts Conference. While in San Antonio, I learned a lot through the newcomer orientations and Emerging Leader sessions. Some of these I wish had come sooner. As an introvert I find the task of networking to be particularly daunting. Here are my tips for making any conference, or networking opportunity, a successful one.

Get Creative

One subject that repeatedly arose was creative fundraising in a tough economy. How does this relate to networking? Simply put, people give to other people – not causes. People give to other people they know. The key to successful networking is being memorable (in the best way possible). You are more than your business card, show it.

Many of the people I met were from across the country. I have no idea when I will see them again. Take notes when you meet someone, put key words on the back of their business card. You brought a pen use it.

It Doesn’t Have to be About Work

The things I remember most had little to do with their current job. Maybe it is how they learned Lebanese, they love shoes, write a food blog, or love to bike. It is an easy association that can be very indicative of the type of person they are. It lets you know how they can fit into your life and how you fit into theirs, if at all. Remember to try to keep this in line with your personal brand. Don’t know what your personal brand is yet? Time to figure it out.

Read Bios

But first read the participant list. Chances are that someone you would love to meet will be at the conference. Check the participant list, see who will be there, and read their bios. Do not be afraid to reach out to someone “out of your league”. Do your best to set up an informational interview. Email addresses are typically included on the list. Send out an email that clearly states who you are as well as your intentions. Also include specific questions you have for the individual. Plan on having 30 minutes to accomplish your goal.

Be Flexible

Let’s be honest, we all have agendas. When we want to network with a specific individual, there is always a reason why. Why did their name peak your interest in the first place? Well, forgetaboutit! Yes have a specific idea of why you want to start a conversation with someone, but do not be surprised when the conversation does not go as planed. Let go of the scripted idea you had in your head. Your real goal should be developing rapport, not getting something out of someone else.

You Don’t Have to Say Much

You wanted to hear from them right? Listen to what they have to say. Ask a few insightful questions, but primarily listen and take notes.

Follow Up

If you had an Informational Interview, write a handwritten thank you note. An email will suffice, but handwritten is best. Keep in touch with them. Do not let them forget you. Forward interesting articles, however don’t flood their inbox. This lets them know you are interested in the field and are keeping up to date.

Don’t Be Discouraged

Didn’t meet with everyone you wanted? Didn’t get to ask all the questions you wanted? It’s okay. Most people are very busy at these conferences. You were weren’t you? Imagine how busy the big fish are. If someone you wanted meet lives in your area, try to meet in person. Otherwise email or use social media. Just use discretion if you don’t want your boss to know.

Overall, make the most of the experience. There will be more people than you can talk to and more sessions and mixers than you can attend. Set your priorities before you leave, and remain focused on those. Take time for yourself. No one will hold it against you if you session hop or call it an early evening. The best moments will happen when you least expect it. It may happen in the airport shuttle or at a mixer. Be open. Be flexible. Stay in your toes. Be yourself.

Los Angeles, CA—On Saturday, April 21, Emerging Arts Leaders/Los Angeles (EAL/LA) will host a day-long Creative Conversation conference, entitled “Lessons from Social Entrepreneurs: How to Add Value to Your Organization and Career” at the Plaza de la Raza (3540 N Mission Rd, Los Angeles, 90031). The day’s events will start at 10:15am and conclude at 3:30pm. Tickets are $20.

April’s Creative Conversation will allow for entrepreneurs to share insights with Emerging Leaders as to how to identify unmet needs in communities and organizations and shape their work to meet those needs. The day is designed to explore challenges the speakers have faced and the creative and logistical know-how they drew upon to face them. Speakers include keynote Terence McFarland, Chief Executive Office, LA Stage Alliance and panelists Edgar Arceneaux, Executive Director of the Watts Tower Project; Nonprofit Consultant Judy Tatum; Rebecca Ansert, Founder & Principal, Green Public Art Consultancy; and Molly Cleator, Owner/Founder, A Place to Create.

Established in 2004 by Americans for the Arts, Creative Conversations are local Emerging Arts Leaders gatherings across the country that intend to raise the profiles of the arts in the United States during National Arts and Humanities Month. Due to the tremendous interest in Creative Conversations and to meet the organization’s mission of providing professional development opportunities to its membership, EAL/LA has grown Creative Conversations to include two day- long events per year.

The April 2012 EAL/LA Creative Conversation encourages creators, performers, funders, and arts administrators from all fields to attend. The day-long event will include opportunities to network and to discuss the event’s topic in an open forum with the speakers.

To purchase tickets today and for up-to-date information, please visit: www.ealla.org/about- creative-conversations.

Open Engagement is an international conference that sets out to explore various perspectives on art and social practice and expand the dialogue around socially engaged art making. The Open Engagement conference is an initiative of Portland State University’s Art and Social Practice MFA concentration. Directed and founded by Jen Delos Reyes and planned in conjunction with Harrell Fletcher and the Art and Social Practice students, this year’s conference features keynote presenters Tania Bruguera, Shannon Jackson, and Paul Ramirez Jonas. The work by these artists and scholars touch on subjects including politics, economies, education, and representation.

Through conversations, presentations, workshops, interviews, open reflections, and related projects created for or presented at the conference, we will bevinvestigating, questioning, celebrating, and challenging the current state of art and social practice. This conference is a site where an intergenerational exchange can occur between emerging artists and established artists. This is also a site where transdisiplinary conversation is possible.

Open Engagement is a free conference that will take place May 18-20, 2012, in Portland, Oregon. Contributors are not asked to pay a registration fee and the public will not be charged to attend.

http://openengagement.info/

CONTACT
openengagement@gmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Open-Engagement/

This post was submitted by Esther Kang.

CAM and their sponsors are pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships for the 2012 conference, Museum Making it Happen. The deadline to apply is Friday, November 18, 2011.

CAM SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarship recipients must meet at least one eligibility criterion, be
residents of California, and successfully articulate the benefit of
attending the conference in the application. Scholarships include a full
conference registration, ticket to the Welcome Reception, and a one-year
membership in CAM. Applications are due Friday, November 18, 2011. APPLY NOW

LINK: http://www.calmuseums.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewpage&pageid=760

GETTY SCHOLARSHIPS
CAM and the Getty Foundation are pleased to offer scholarships to support
alumni of the Getty Multicultural Undergraduate Internship program to attend the 2012
conference, Museums Making it Happen. Scholarships include a full conference
registration, $450 travel stipend, a formal mixer for Getty Scholars and CAM
Fellows, tickets to the Welcome Reception and CAMMY Luncheon, and a one-year
membership in CAM. The application deadline is Friday, November 18, 2011.

CAM FELLOWSHIPS
CAM Fellows attend the 2012 CAM conference and write three “case study”
articles for publication in CAM e-News and on CAM’s website. Since the CAM
Fellows program is a central component of CAM’s multicultural initiative,
preference will be given to individuals of Latino/Hispanic, African
American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, or Native American descent. Each
Fellowship includes a full conference registration, a $1,000 stipend, a
formal mixer with CAM Fellows and Getty Scholars, ticket to the Welcome
Reception, a one-year individual membership in CAM, and networking
opportunities specifically for CAM Fellows. Applications are due Friday,
November 18, 2011. Funded in part through support from the James Irvine
Foundation
. APPLY NOW