Session Archive
Passing the Gift: The Art of Mentoring
Organized by Frances Phillips, senior program officer, Walter and Elise Haas Fund; and Amy Kitchener, executive director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts; presented by Amy Kitchener; Claude Elliott, program officer, The Rhode Island Foundation; Claire Peeps, executive director, The Durfee Foundation; Randy Rollison, producing artistic director, Cleveland Public Theatre; and Sophiline Cheam Shapiro, artistic director, Khmer Arts Academy.
Mentorship can mean many things: a means of passing down a fine craft or perpetuating a trade, a way of modeling professional behavior for a young person, a mode of leadership transfer, a lifelong relationship between a teacher and a protégé. Presenters will share lessons from an array of mentorship programs designed to advance both artistic practice and administrative skills of adults and young people. The session will include discussion of how mentorship works in different fields; the challenges inherent in mentoring; and effective grant models for supporting mentorship.
The Art of Eating a Peach: Understanding the Ecology of Community Knowledge
Designed by Amy Kitchener, executive director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts; presented by Amy Kitchener; David “Mas” Masumoto, author; Daniel Sheehy, director and curator, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings; Sophiline Cheam Shapiro, artistic director, Khmer Arts Academy; and others.
From slow food to slow art, this session considers the necessary ingredients for ensuring long-term vitality for local, community-based arts and cultural practices in light of a fast-food arts world. Join organic peach farmer and writer David “Mas” Masumoto; Khmer classical dancer/choreographer Sophiline Cheam Shapiro; Smithsonian Folkways Recordings director and curator, Daniel Sheehy, and others in a discussion about art making, standards of beauty, and generational knowledge, as we seek to address issues and approaches to growing stronger systems of support for community– and culturally–specific forms of artistic expression.
Report from the “Older Visual Artists: Needs and Legacies” pre-conference. (Briefing)
Melanie Beene, Alliance for California Traditional Arts (presenter)
Carolyn Somers, Joan Mitchell Foundation; Gary Knecht, Artists’ Legacy Foundation; Penny Dannenberg, New York Foundation for the Arts; Kerrie Buitrago, Pollock – Krasner Foundation
Penny McPhee and Michael Morgan: A Dialogue.
Penny McPhee, Arthur Blank Family Foundation, engages in a conversation with Michael Morgan, music director of the Oakland East Bay Symphony, based on her experience with Knight Foundation’s Magic of Music program and the foundation’s landmark evaluation, Search for Shining Eyes that was published this year. (Dialogue)
- Penny McPhee, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation; Michael Morgan, Oakland East Bay Symphony; Melanie Beene, Alliance for California Traditional Arts (moderator)
- Lorenzo Lebrija, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; Stan Hutton, Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation
- New Leadership: Una Resolana with Alvin Warren, lieutenant governor of the Pueblo of Santa Clara. What do emerging and new leaders need from their mentors?
- Alvin Warren, Santa Clara Pueblo (presenter); Sue Sturtevant, New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (moderator)
- Sherwood Chen, Alliance for California Traditional Arts; Jonathan Freeman, Seventh Generation Fund; San San Wong, San Francisco Arts Commission
The Ins and Outs of Fiscal Sponsorship
Organized by Melanie Beene, Alliance for California Traditional Arts
What are the benefits and liabilities for foundation funders in working with fiscal sponsors of the arts projects that they fund? What are the questions that they should ask to make sure there is adequate financial and programmatic oversight? When is it most appropriate to refer “emerging ideas” to fiscal sponsorship rather than starting their own 501(c)(3)? And what do those fees cover?
Can Culture Save Our Communities?
Organized by Amy Kitchener, Alliance for California Traditional Arts.
Why is culture critical to the health of communities and how can we 1) make that case, and 2) infuse culture into the community functions to promote community-wide health? What are the potential benefits and pitfalls in this work? Who is doing this work successfully?
If culture is woven, for example into The California Endowment’s Building Healthy Communities Outcomes, how do we envision culture playing a role in the community’s desired educational outcomes, and human services outcomes, economic development outcomes, housing outcomes, social justice outcomes, etc.?
What is the instrumental value of the arts in other sectors?
Participatory Arts and Community Health: Challenges and Opportunities
Organized by Amy Kitchener, executive director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts; Maria Rosario Jackson, senior research associate, Metropolitan Housing and Communities Center, and director, Cultural Creativity and Communities Program, Urban Institute. Presented by Beatriz Solis, director, Healthy Communities Strategies, South Region, The California Endowment; Josephine Ramirez, arts program director, The James Irvine Foundation; Alaka Wali, director, cultural understanding and change, The Field Museum.
Participatory arts are a crucial aspect of a healthy community. Illustrated with examples from throughout the country, discussants representing different perspectives, an artist working at the intersection of arts and health, a funder in the health field, a funder from the arts field, and an urban cultural anthropologist, explore the challenges and opportunities inherent in the work of programs designed to overlap arts and community health. The conversation will address several issues: validation of the work in the arts and health fields (including attention to financial support), criticism, peer networks, and training for this kind of work.
Creation|Migration|Change: Innovation and Evolving Art Forms
Organized by Timothy Dorsey, program officer, Open Society Foundations; Amy Kitchener, executive director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts; Tia Oros Peters, executive director, Seventh Generation Fund for Indian Development; Lori Pourier, president, First Peoples Fund.
Community Health and the Participatory Arts: Crucial Issues and Exciting Opportunities
Organized by Amy Kitchener, executive director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts; Maria Rosario Jackson, senior research associate, Metropolitan Housing and Communities Center, and director, Cultural Creativity and Communities Program, Urban Institute.
Presented by Beatriz Solis, director, Healthy Communities Strategies, South Region, The California Endowment; Josephine Ramirez, arts program director, The James Irvine Foundation; Alaka Wali, director, cultural understanding and change, The Field Museum.
Participatory arts are an important component of community health. Using examples from across the nation, panelists representing various viewpoints – an artist working at the intersection of arts and health, a health field funder, an arts field funder, and an urban cultural anthropologist – will discuss the challenges and opportunities of programs that combine arts and community health. The conversation will address several topics, including the validation of arts and health work, financial support, criticism, peer networks, and training for this type of work.
Presented by Kawika Alfiche, musician and director, Kaululehua Hawaiian Cultural Center; Lily Kharrazi, program manager, Living Cultures Grants Program, Alliance for California Traditional Arts; L. Frank Manriquez, artist and culture bearer.
Native communities (reservation, rural, and urban) have been greatly influenced by ever-changing populations and movement. Contact, relocation, inter-tribal marriages, and an increasingly mobile population have brought many changes to Native creative thought and expression, presenting both challenges and opportunities for the future of Native arts and cultural continuity. This session will explore Native artistic expression, collective creativity, Re-indigenization, emerging freedoms from constrained thoughts, and the decolonization of Native arts as a remedy for social justice.
Challenges and Strategies in Sustaining Cultural Ecosystems: A Look at the Eastern United States
Organized by Amy Kitchener, executive director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts; Jennifer Francis, program officer, Local Arts Agencies, Rasmuson Foundation
Presented by John Bealle, editor, “Tapestry Topics,” Midwest Folklore; Michael Giacalone, executive director, Appalachian Studies Association; Kay Turner, folklorist and arts administrator, Brooklyn Arts Council
This session examines challenges and successes in nurturing and preserving cultural ecosystems in the eastern United States, highlighting case studies and strategies for sustaining traditional arts and cultural practices. Panelists will discuss the role of organizations, funders, and communities in supporting cultural sustainability and fostering intergenerational transmission of traditional knowledge and skills.
Building Community Through Cultural Ecosystems
Organized by Amy Kitchener, executive director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts; Timothy Dorsey, program officer, Open Society Foundations
This session will explore innovative models and effective strategies for building and sustaining cultural ecosystems that support traditional arts and cultural practices. Panelists will share insights and best practices from their experiences working with communities, organizations, and funders to promote cultural equity, diversity, and vitality.
Advancing Cultural Equity: Strategies and Solutions
Organized by Amy Kitchener, executive director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts; Jennifer Francis, program officer, Local Arts Agencies, Rasmuson Foundation
This session will focus on advancing cultural equity in the arts by addressing systemic barriers and promoting inclusive practices. Panelists will discuss strategies for supporting underrepresented artists and communities, fostering cultural diversity and exchange, and creating equitable funding and programming opportunities.
Innovative Approaches to Folk and Traditional Arts Documentation and Preservation
Organized by Amy Kitchener, executive director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts; Betsy Peterson, executive director, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
This session will explore innovative approaches and best practices for documenting and preserving folk and traditional arts in the digital age. Panelists will discuss strategies for engaging communities in cultural documentation efforts, leveraging technology for archiving and dissemination, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of cultural heritage resources.
Cultural Sustainability in a Changing World: Challenges and Opportunities
Organized by Amy Kitchener, executive director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts; Timothy Dorsey, program officer, Open Society Foundations
This session will examine the challenges and opportunities facing cultural sustainability in a rapidly changing world. Panelists will discuss strategies for adapting traditional arts and cultural practices to contemporary contexts, fostering resilience and innovation, and building strong community partnerships to support cultural continuity and vitality.
Cultivating Creative Communities: Strategies for Arts Engagement and Impact
Organized by Amy Kitchener, executive director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts; Jennifer Francis, program officer, Local Arts Agencies, Rasmuson Foundation
This session will explore strategies for cultivating creative communities through arts engagement and impact. Panelists will discuss innovative approaches to community arts programming, audience development, and cultural policy advocacy, highlighting successful initiatives that have effectively leveraged the arts to foster social cohesion, economic development, and civic participation.
Sustaining Traditional Arts in Changing Landscapes: Challenges and Solutions
Organized by Amy Kitchener, executive director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts; Betsy Peterson, executive director, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
This session will address the challenges and opportunities of sustaining traditional arts in changing landscapes. Panelists will discuss strategies for adapting traditional cultural practices to contemporary environments, preserving cultural heritage in the face of environmental threats and socio-economic pressures, and fostering intergenerational transmission of traditional knowledge and skills.
Empowering Communities Through Cultural Leadership and Advocacy
Organized by Amy Kitchener, executive director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts; Timothy Dorsey, program officer, Open Society Foundations
This session will explore strategies for empowering communities through cultural leadership and advocacy. Panelists will discuss the role of cultural institutions, grassroots organizations, and individual artists in advancing social justice, cultural equity, and community resilience, highlighting successful initiatives that have effectively mobilized cultural resources to address pressing social, political, and environmental challenges.
Cultural Resilience in Times of Crisis: Lessons from the Field
Organized by Amy Kitchener, executive director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts; Betsy Peterson, executive director, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
This session will examine the role of traditional arts and cultural practices in fostering resilience and community well-being during times of crisis. Panelists will share insights and lessons learned from their experiences working with communities to harness cultural resources in response to natural disasters, political upheaval, and public health emergencies, highlighting the importance of cultural resilience in building stronger, more resilient societies.
Transforming Communities Through Creative Placemaking
Organized by Amy Kitchener, executive director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts; Jennifer Francis, program officer, Local Arts Agencies, Rasmuson Foundation
This session will explore the transformative potential of creative placemaking in revitalizing communities and fostering inclusive, equitable development. Panelists will discuss successful creative placemaking initiatives that have effectively leveraged the arts to address community needs, promote economic opportunity, and enhance quality of life, highlighting strategies for building partnerships, engaging diverse stakeholders, and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Building Bridges: Strengthening Cultural Connections Across Communities
Organized by Amy Kitchener, executive director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts; Betsy Peterson, executive director, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
This session will focus on building bridges and strengthening cultural connections across diverse communities. Panelists will discuss strategies for promoting cross-cultural understanding, fostering dialogue and collaboration, and celebrating cultural diversity through the arts. The session will highlight successful initiatives that have effectively bridged divides and promoted social cohesion, emphasizing the importance of cultural exchange and mutual respect in building more inclusive, resilient communities.
Advancing Equity and Inclusion in the Arts: Strategies for Change
Organized by Amy Kitchener, executive director, Alliance for California Traditional Arts; Timothy Dorsey, program officer, Open Society Foundations
This session will explore strategies for advancing equity and inclusion in the arts, with a focus on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within cultural organizations and funding institutions. Panelists will discuss best practices for addressing systemic barriers to access and participation, promoting representation and visibility for underrepresented artists and communities, and fostering a culture of inclusivity and belonging in the arts sector. The session will highlight successful DEI initiatives and offer practical recommendations for creating more equitable and inclusive arts ecosystems.
