My weblog entries will be slim this week as I prepare for and travel to the Association of Performing Arts Presenters conference in New York. It’s the 50th annual conference for the association, which began here in Madison those many years ago.
If you’re attending the conference, come by the ”burning issues” session on Sunday morning, January 21, at 9:30 am (description below). I’ll be introducing a presentation/discussion prepared by four of my MBA students on a topic that seems to be bubbling up everywhere these days. Most of the rest of my students will be participating in the conference, as well.
Sunday, January 21, 2007, 9:30 – 11:30 am
Burning Issues Forum:
“Professional Presenters and the Amateur Arts”
New York Hilton & Towers, Concourse E
With new technologies and renewed passion, Americans are making art and expressive works in a thousand different ways — knitting circles, community ensembles, web-based songwriter networks, ”weekend warrior” musicians, webloggers, photographers, ethnic dance and handicraft groups, filmmakers, podcasters, poetry slammers, hip-hop and scratch artists, and on and on. Some aspire to and surpass professional standards. Others engage for the rush and joy of creating something new. Join a team of graduate students and special guests as we explore the role and relevance of professional arts presenters in this emerging world of participatory practice. Are these amateur art-makers competitors to the arts presenter or powerful new partners in advancing a community’s expressive life? This second-annual effort of the Bill Dawson Research Internship Fund will honor Bill’s life and work by connecting emerging trends to professional practice and by stretching what you think you know about your work.
Do stop by to say hello, give a listen, offer an insight, and advance the conversation.
