Florida Statewide Cultural Conference - Feb 8 & 9 - posted by FFAB

Statewide Cultural Conference Registration Open and Schedule Available Register now for a productive and inspiring two days at Convening Culture 2015: Building a Healthier Florida Through Arts and Culture hosted by Citizens for Florida Arts, Inc. in Orlando. Plan to join us for a welcome reception on February 8 and a day of exciting and engaging sessions on February 9. From discussions on arts and healthcare initiatives to panels on sustaining a healthy funding environment, there will be many ways for participants to engage and explore these topics while learning from one another in the inspiring setting of the newly-opened Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Keynote speaker Richard Blanco Keynote Speaker Richard Blanco, Inaugural Poet Former Florida artist and Individual Artist Fellowship Recipient, Inaugural Poet, and author, Richard Blanco, is the fifth inaugural poet in U.S. history and the first Floridian to serve in such a role. Born in Madrid to Cuban exiled parents and raised in Miami, Blanco was instilled with a strong sense of community, dignity, and identity that he has carried into his adult life as a writer. A builder of cities as well as poems, Blanco holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering and an M.F.A in Creative Writing. In this talk, he shares elements of his personal narrative about how poetry prompted him to discover his authentic self and a deeper understanding of what it means to be American while emphasizing how the arts support Florida’s diverse communities. Blanco is a Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow and has received honorary doctorates from Macalester College, Colby College and the University of Rhode Island. He has written and preformed occasional poems for organizations such as the Boston Strong Benefit Concert, Freedom to Marry, the Fragrance Awards, and the Tech Awards in Silicon Valley. He has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, National Public Radio’s All Things Considered and Fresh Air with Terry Gross, as well as major media from the U.S. and around the world, including CNN, Telemundo, AC360, BBC, Univision, and PBS. “Like the inaugural poem he wrote for our country, Richard Blanco’s moving story speaks to the amazing American spirit in all of us who keep dreaming, persevering, exploring, and creating.”--Gloria Estefan, American singer, songwriter, actress and entrepreneur Conference Schedule February 8, 2015 Pre-conference Workshop 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Financial Literacy for Individual Artists This pre-conference workshop for artists is presented in partnership with the Creative Capital Foundation, a national foundation serving individual artists. Through this workshop, participants will learn valuable tools and tips to become more comfortable with the financial aspects of their art practice. From generating budgets that accurately tell the story of their work to calculating the value of their time, this session brings useful information to Florida artists of all disciplines to expand the business aspects of their creative careers. More information about the Creative Capital Foundation and its Professional Development Program can be found at creative-capital.org/pdp. Opening Reception5:30 – 8:00 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Presented by Visit Orlando Reception Presentation: Inside the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts This talk gives attendees a glimpse into the brand new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and highlights the widespread collaboration and community involvement that have been integral in its recent launch. Presented by Kathy Ramsberger, President of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Following the talk, interested attendees will be given the opportunity to participate in a guided tour of the Center. *Attendees may check-in for the conference during the opening reception and visit the conference bookstore. February 9, 2015 8:00 a.m. – Check in and introductions 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. – Conference Welcome Local and state leaders welcome conference attendees and introduce the topic of “Building a Healthier Florida through Arts and Culture” in the beautiful DeVos Family Room at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts. 9:45 – 10:30 a.m. – Session 1 Cultural Organization Capacity Building – Public Sources Representatives from various public funding sources (government and regional organizations) participate in a moderated panel discussion on ways to create a healthy funding environment for Florida cultural organizations and best convey the benefits of public investment in arts and cultural programming. Power of Arts and Culture on Wellness and Aging This session addresses the growing issues of aging and care giving with examples and demonstrations from local community and national initiatives that focus on aging in place and keeping loved ones at home as long as possible through the stimulating and connecting power of the arts. The session specifically addresses how everyone can support individuals afflicted with dementia and Alzheimer’s as well as their care givers and families. Presented by Margery Pabst, President of the Pabst Foundation and President-Elect of the National Center for Creative Aging. Artists and Journalists Leading Community EngagementPresented by The Treasured Lands Foundation and the Pegasus Foundation This panel discussion includes journalist Eve Samples of Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers, Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel, Florida artist Janeen Mason and Florida filmmaker and author Bill Bellville. They will discuss their perspectives and insights on raising awareness of the impact of arts and culture on Florida communities. 10:45 – 11:45 a.m. – Keynote with Richard BlancoPresented by Walt Disney World Resorts with the Florida Humanities Council The Keynote with Richard Blanco will be followed by a booksigning. 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. – Lunch Impact of Educational Programming: A Case Study with the Maltz Jupiter Theatre Presented by Ogden and Bonnie White This session highlights the impact of the educational program of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, a professional not-for-profit regional theatre dedicated to the performing arts. Julie Rowe, Director of Education, discusses the program’s lifelong impact on its participants followed by a lively performance by the Touring Company. 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – General Session Charting the Course: A New Arts & Culture RoadmapThis session will introduce the Division of Cultural Affairs’ new five-year strategic plan. Participants will hear remarks from Jana Ertrachter, the consultant who worked with the Division through its planning process, and Division of Cultural Affairs Director Sandy Shaughnessy. This will be an interactive session with facilitated dialogue around the four key strategic issues in the Division’s new plan: Sustainability; Partnerships and Collaboration; Marketing and Communications; and Elevating the Role of Artists. Attendees will leave this session with clear ideas as to how they can engage in the Division’s vision for the future. 2:15 – 3:00 p.m. – Session 2 Connecting Arts and Culture with Florida’s Tourism Industry Presented by Mears Transportation This panel discussion emphasizes the flourishing partnerships between arts and cultural organizations and the tourism industry and will discuss the potential and growing the impact of collaboration between these two sectors. Arts and Culture as a Solution for Community ImprovementPresented by John and Joanne Payson Internationally acclaimed countertenor Terry Barber is known for his extraordinary range both vocally and stylistically. Barber is founder of Artists For A Cause, Inc., a nonprofit that stimulates engagement in art and culture while addressing the critical needs of communities. Barber performs and will discuss how his organization empowers hundreds of artists as they use their talent for community improvement, taking on issues like poverty, health concerns, and more. Arts in Medicine at Orlando Health Presented by Orlando Health This session is presented by Dr. Diane Robinson and highlights how the Integrative Medicine Department is incorporating the expressive arts into the medical plan of care at Orlando Health. Dr. Robinson will provide research information on the benefits of the softer side of medicine in cancer treatment, and will present some of the work her team is involved with in direct patient care. *A collaborative art making experience by Orlando Health’s current resident artist will be set up in the lobby and will be on display during the closing reception. 3:15 – 4:00 p.m. – Session 3 Spotlight on Florida Arts in Medicine Jill Sonke is the Director of the Shands Arts in Medicine Program at the University of Florida and a national leader in the field of arts in medicine. During this talk, she discusses the history of arts in medicine in Florida, current trends in the field and the role of the arts in health messaging. Cultural Organization Capacity Building – Private Sources Representatives from various private funding sources including private foundations, community foundations and an individual donor participate in a moderated roundtable and touch on ideas for engaging younger generations in philanthropy and support for cultural programs. Advancing Accessibility for Florida Arts and CulturePresented by United Arts of Central FloridaThis session will include a moderated discussion on best practices and innovative programs addressing cultural access and inclusion. It will highlight the work of organizations that lead the field in terms of cultural access and will give participants a glimpse into the impact of inclusive programming for individuals with disabilities. Florida Artists as Leaders and CollaboratorsThis session highlights the projects of a Florida artist instigating innovative collaboration between two areas – her studio practice and cancer care. Is there really such a thing as “healing art?” Jacksonville artist Nadine Terk discusses one of her latest projects, There for You, a documentary project that includes studio portraits of breast cancer survivors and their compelling stories of their journey to heal. This series of paintings and audio stories show another side to cancer and comment on the healing process and the self-discovery it evokes. 4:15 – 5:00 p.m. – Closing Remarks & Performance by Orlando BalletThis intimate performance by Orlando Ballet will feature three excerpts from Swan Lake by the remarkable company dancers and will include remarks by the Ballet’s Artistic Director, Robert Hill. Closing Reception 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Orlando Science Center Reception Presentation: Expanding and Electrifying the Cultural Landscape This program features an excerpt from the Orlando Science Center’s own High Voltage! Show, where visitors get shockingly close to the science of electricity. Following this will be a special presentation featuring the Science Center’s Musical Tesla Coil, followed by remarks from the Orlando Science Center, on their role in Orlando’s cultural landscape. Additional details and opportunities to come.Schedule elements are subject to change. Visit florida-arts.org/conveningcultureto register, view the current schedule, and access hotel information. Convening Culture is made possible through the gracious support of the following sponsors. Session Sponsors: Orlando Health, Mears Transportation Group, Walt Disney World Resort, United Arts of Central Florida, The Bryce L. West Foundation, Tricia & Robert Earl, John & Joanne Payson, Ogden & Bonnie White Friends of the Conference: The I-Drive District, Florida Humanities Council, Hilton Orlando, The Pegasus Foundation, Treasured Lands Foundation Partners: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and the Orlando Science Center This information was shared by the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs. I went to the conference last year and was truly impressed by the breath of content, work sessions and the networking opportunities.  I highly recommend this event and can't wait to attend.  G