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This is my first Midwest Arts Conference.
I'm really enjoying myself!
I'm glad that I'm here.
I've been able to connect and network with a lot of people.
I'm starting to build relationships,
which I really appreciate the opportunity to be able to do.
So, I'm just grateful that people
are so giving and welcoming and open.
[music/singing]
We did two workshops
and they were both really under
the title of "Innovating in Turbulent Times."
And the idea behind the work
was to help--first presenters,
and then in the second workshop
artists and artist managers--
with thinking differently about their futures
in relation to the challenges that are arrising
for everybody in the arts world these days.
So the final piece of each of the workshops
was saying "Okay, you've got this new strategy,
which may have surprised you because you came up with it,
and it's not something you've done before.
But don't start with something huge.
Start with those small steps."
And so we had each group think about what could they do next week,
what could they do within the first month
to begin to advance that strategy.
I thought it was a great plenary session.
Innovation is key and I think
he did a great job of kind of explaining
the glass is half full and
if we, as leaders, don't go back to our
organizations and act like leaders
and try to think of creative ways of re-inventing what we do,
we will fall by the wayside.
I think we always have to keep a positive attitude
and keep looking for that new way to reinvent ourselves.
What we do here is to try to get our artists known.
Quebec is very supportive as a government
of its artists, its art, its culture.
And we're tyring to spread that word among
the people who are most likely to hire the Quebec artists.
But also, we want them to hire the Quebec artists.
I find this to be one of the most accessible
and one of the most intimate of the conferences.
And, the people are here to work.
They attend the activities, and they go to the booths.
So, I find it a very useful and worthwhile conference.
No, I believe this is my tenth or eleventh.
Wow, so you've been coming for a while.
These conferences are just really vital to our planning,
to professional development, to networking with
other Wisconsin Presenters-- wouldn't miss 'em.
What's been one of your favorite experiences?
Here at the conference?
Oh, probably the showcases.
It's always great to see what's up and coming, new and exciting,
some fresh talent,
things from around the world.
[African music/drums, singing]