In our free, four-part webinar series, Arts Midwest brings together experts in arts emergency readiness to help you strengthen your preparedness.

You’ll learn how to respond effectively and recover more easily so your creative work can keep moving forward, no matter what comes your way.

All sessions will be recorded and emailed out to registered attendees following each webinar.

Disaster Response for Arts Organizations

Featuring

• 

  Donia Conn

  Associate Professor, Simmons University

  Donia Conn is an associate professor at the Simmons University School of Library and Information Science and an independent preventive conservator for small and mid-sized cultural institutions, with over 30 years of experience.

Risk Assessment for Arts Organizations: An All-Hazards Approach

Featuring

• 

  Tom Clareson

  Project Director, Performing Arts Readiness

  Tom Clareson is Project Director for Performing Arts Readiness, helping arts organizations protect assets, sustain operations, and prepare for emergencies, and for the Bay Area Arts Readiness Network, providing San Francisco-area disaster networking services.

Emergency Preparedness and Business Insurance for Artists

Featuring

• 

  Cameron Baxter Lewis

  Director of Grants, Programs, and Training, CERF+

  With nearly two decades of experience in nonprofit, volunteer, and disaster management, Cameron Baxter Lewis currently serves as the Director of Grants, Programs, and Training at the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+), where he oversees emergency response and readiness initiatives.

Rebounding from Disaster for Artists

Featuring

• 

  Cameron Baxter Lewis

  With nearly two decades of experience in nonprofit, volunteer, and disaster management, Cameron Baxter Lewis currently serves as the Director of Grants, Programs, and Training at the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+), where he oversees emergency response and readiness initiatives.

The post Webinar Series: Emergency Preparedness for Artists + Arts Organizations appeared first on Arts Midwest.

In 2019, Arts Midwest established the David Fraher Fund for Innovation in honor of former President & CEO David Fraher. This Fund recognizes and celebrates David’s legacy of curiosity by creating a space for Arts Midwest to pursue a question that was at the forefront of his career: What if we tried something different?

Rooted in the belief that artists and organizations thrive when they are given the space to think big and test new ways of working with their communities, the David Fraher Fund for Innovation was created to offer a source of courage funding to seed new projects and new ideas. It invites our field to reimagine how we work together to ensure the Midwest continues to be a place where arts and culture thrive. And it creates space to take risks, learn from them, and pivot along the way.

Photo Credit: Alana Horton

As a result of CAIRNS’s research, we have greatly expanded our knowledge of the tribal reservations, treaties, and governance structures in the Midwest. We’ve learned that while we have 42 Native Nations in our region, there are 48 sovereign land bases with various structures. We’ve also learned more about the Indian Arts and Craft Act, and the nuances behind terminology such as “tribal citizen” vs. “reservation residents,” and “in” vs. “on” reservation land.

“Concluding our Native Nations Research Project with CAIRNS in June has given Arts Midwest much to consider as we move forward with our Living Commitment to Native Nations,” said Arts Midwest Program Manager Holly Doll. “The data and work that CAIRNS has done can lend itself to our grantmaking analysis that’s underway with the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies; help us rethink and improve the language we use when talking about reservations within our grants and programs; and in the future, potentially lead to the creation of more direct offerings to reservation residents.”

“As our contributions to the Native Nations Research Project are winding up, CAIRNS is so thankful to the Innovation Fund for supporting a project like none other,” said Dr. Craig Howe, executive director of CAIRNS and Arts Midwest board member. “While conducting extensive research, we have not run across any other project that compiles the breadth of data this one does, nor one that conceptually and programmatically focuses on tribal land bases and their residents. CAIRNS is thankful for this opportunity to collaborate on this initiative, and it is exciting to now turn the project over to Arts Midwest.”

This research was only the beginning of our efforts to advance our Living Commitment to Native Communities. We will use CAIRNS’s findings to help us strengthen our understanding, build relationships, and explore opportunities to support the Native Nations within our region. We look forward to sharing additional updates with our community as we continue this important work.

The post David Fraher Fund for Innovation supports Native Nations research in 2024  appeared first on Arts Midwest.

Recently, Arts Midwest staff attended and presented at three significant Impact Days across our region: Arts Impact Ohio, the South Dakota Arts Conference, and the Iowa Arts Summit.

Arts Impact Ohio (May 15-16, 2024)

About 350 arts administrators, arts educators, and artists gathered in Toledo for Arts Impact Ohio 2024, making it the Ohio Arts Council’s largest in-person professional development conference to date. The two-day conference featured 25 breakout sessions on a wide range of topics, including the intersection of the arts and artificial intelligence, uniting philanthropy and marketing, engaging diverse learners of all ages with arts education experiences, and more.

Alana Horton, Arts Midwest’s Communications Officer, presented on “Unlocking Arts Funding: Navigating Regional and National Grant Opportunities” alongside Jenn Hughes from the NEA. The room was at capacity, reflecting strong interest in the topic.

Other highlights included a kick-off conversation with facilitator and acclaimed author Priya Parker on creating a sense of belonging in modern gatherings, a keynote presentation by Dr. Tasha Golden on the power of the arts to heal and lead positive change, a panel discussion on Toledo’s public art programs, and a session on demystifying the ADA with Robin Jones from the Great Lakes ADA Center. Attendees also had ample opportunities to network, enjoy performances by local artists, and explore Toledo’s vibrant arts scene through community site visits known as “ArtArounds.”

Photo Credit: Marquis Martinez

Photo Credit: Serge van Neck Photography

South Dakota Arts Conference (June 8, 2024)

The biennial South Dakota Arts Conference in Sioux Falls, co-hosted by the South Dakota Arts Council and Arts South Dakota, brought together over 160 champions of the arts from across the state for meaningful workshops, dynamic speakers, and creative idea exchanges.

The event kicked off with opening remarks from Torrie Allen, Arts Midwest’s president and CEO, and was also attended by Angela Zonunpari, Arts Midwest’s Managing Editor. Randy Cohen, VP of Research at Americans for the Arts delivered a keynote, and participants attended impactful sessions as well as live performances at Levitt at the Falls.

This year’s conference emphasized advocacy, reminding participants of their role as frontline activists for the arts in South Dakota. Representatives from the state’s Community Arts Councils, traveling a combined total of 8,000 miles, shared success stories and their passion for the cultural environment. City leaders highlighted the integration of creative programming into everyday life across South Dakota, demonstrating the arts’ vital role in driving local and state economies through jobs, ticket sales, and tax revenues.

Iowa Arts Summit (June 18, 2024)

The biennial Iowa Arts Summit brought together 263 Iowan creatives, nonprofit professionals, and community leaders for networking, learning, and celebrating the arts. The opening plenary dove into how to deepen the social impact of the arts through collaboration. Throughout the day, attendees joined regional breakout rooms, attended panels, and participated in creative activities like weaving and story sharing that connected them to new faces.

Alana Horton presented once again on “Unlocking Arts Funding: Navigating Regional and National Grant Opportunities,” this time alongside Lara Garritino from the NEA. As in Ohio, the session drew a full house, underscoring the ongoing need for knowledge about funding opportunities within the arts community.

Photo Credit: Brittany Brooke Crow

The Midwest is home to a vibrant and creative arts community. Through presentations, networking, and the exchange of innovative ideas, Impact Days help arts professionals navigate challenges and opportunities. We look forward to attending more of these events in the future!

The post Arts Midwest Staff Present at Impact Days Across the Region appeared first on Arts Midwest.

Hosted by Arts Midwest, the in-person gathering of the Creative Midwest Media Cohort brought together over 20 individuals representing organizations including Barn Raiser, The Buckeye Flame, Buffalo’s Fire, Detroit Metro Times, Dovetail, Hola Iowa, Input Fort Wayne, Project Optimist, Sixty Inches From Center, and SDPB. These participants shared stories from their newsrooms and communities, engaging in discussions with Twin Cities-based guest speakers and facilitator Carl Atiya Swanson.

Meet the Cohort

Cohort organizations are creating diverse projects such as podcasts, multimedia series, social media videos, print publications, and a writers’ residency program. These initiatives will prominently feature and engage Native artists, creatives of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals in the rural Midwest.

Read More

Photo Credit: Mia McGill

Our goals for this convening were to build connections among diverse media-makers and storytellers in the Midwest, and to encourage learning and knowledge-sharing.

We kicked off day one with a presentation from Nora Hertel (Project Optimist) on solutions journalism. She talked about this global shift in journalism, and its focus on reporting on how people are trying to solve problems and what we can learn from their successes and failures.

Photo Credit: Mia McGill

Photo Credit: Mia McGill

Photo Credit: Mia McGill

Photo Credit: Mia McGill

Photo Credit: Mia McGill

Photo Credit: Mia McGill

Photo Credit: Mia McGill

The next day, Katharine DeCelle (WFNU Frogtown Community Radio), Jaida Grey Eagle (Freelance Documentary Photographer), and Ryan Stopera (Public Functionary) joined the cohort to share their multimedia media work and practice. The discussions covered practical photo, video, and audio techniques, and dove deeper into the significance of relationship building.

Later that afternoon, we were joined by Georgia Fort (Center for Broadcast Journalism), Michael Tortorello (Sahan Journal), and Keith Harris (Racket) for a conversation on scaling and sustainability. They discussed how their organizations maintain momentum and what intentional growth looks like.

Photo Credit: Mia McGill

On our final day, we welcomed Anna Claussen (Voices for Rural Resilience) and Joua Lee Grande (Independent Filmmaker, Producer and Director) for a discussion on Community-Oriented Arts Coverage. The panelists discussed their work in BIPOC and rural communities, and the approaches they take to respectfully share these stories.

Throughout the sessions, the Creative Midwest Media Cohort connected and conversed about pressing challenges and new opportunities. Themes emerged: seeing the human behind the story, showing up as your full self, and creating new models outside of the framework of legacy and mainstream journalism.

As the gathering concluded, cohort members expressed feelings of hope, reciprocity, mutuality, and exchange. One participant noted, “This work can feel very isolated, so hearing what others are doing and meeting them is invigorating.”

We are grateful for the generosity of each participant, panelist, and facilitator. Energized by what we learned, we’re excited for the innovative work that the Creative Midwest Media Cohort will create and share!

The post Creative Midwest Media Cohort Meets in Minneapolis appeared first on Arts Midwest.

Thoughtfully hosted by our partners at the Wisconsin Arts Board, this gathering welcomed Executive Directors from Iowa Arts Council, Illinois Arts Council Agency, Indiana Arts Commission, Michigan Arts and Culture Council, Minnesota State Arts Board, Ohio Arts Council, North Dakota Council on the Arts, and South Dakota Arts Council. 

Part of Arts Midwest’s commitment to bringing the nine Midwest state arts agencies together to connect and discuss needs and opportunities across the region, this summit was facilitated by Mary Margaret Schoenfeld, a longtime partner, strategist, and colleague. Our agenda spanned conversations about our shared programs and goals; new framing around innovation and cross sector work; and reminders of the public value framework that sits at the core of state arts agency work.  

Photo Credit: Patrick Baker

Photo Credit: Patrick Baker

Photo Credit: Anne Romens

Photo Credit: Patrick Baker

Photo Credit: Anne Romens

Highlights from our time together include conversations at the Overture Center, the Wisconsin State Capitol, the Wisconsin Institute of Discovery, and an inspiring visit to healthcare software provider EPIC Systems.

We also enjoyed the chance to connect with local Madison colleagues, including Karen Goeschko of Wisconsin Arts Board, Emily Grunewald of the Overture Center, Anne Katz of Create Wisconsin, and Sarah Marty of the Bolz Center for Arts Administration. Thank you all for joining us and sharing more about your important work in Madison and the region.

We extend a heartfelt thanks to George Tzougros, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Arts Board, and his team for such an inspiring time in Madison. We also want to give a huge thank you to Wyeth Michaelsen for bringing us to EPIC and for the amazing tour of the campus and art collection.

As always, this time together is invaluable to our work – deepening our partnership, our understanding of this vast region, and experiencing the innovation at work in Wisconsin.  

The post Midwest State Arts Agencies Convene in Madison appeared first on Arts Midwest.

Photo Credit: Anne Romens

The group also visited the Heritage Art Tunnel and the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum – currently home to “On the Edge of the Wind: Native Storytellers & the Land” exhibition, curated by North Dakota Council on the Arts State Folkorist Troyd Geist.

Learn more about the exhibition and hear the stories and interviews on the Museum website.  

Photo Credit: Anne Romens

On Friday, we toured downtown Bismarck’s art and gallery scene, stopping at the 5.5 Art Alley, the Bismarck Art & Galleries Association, The Capital Gallery, Bismark Downtown Artist Cooperative, and Gallery 522.

The 5.5 Art Alley is home to a mural that was recently featured in Arts Midwest’s Creativity News Desk.

Photo Credit: Anne Romens

Photo Credit: Anne Romens

Photo Credit: Anne Romens

Photo Credit: Anne Romens

Our time together was invaluable to our work – deepening our partnership, our understanding of this vast region, and experiencing the vibrant arts community in Bismarck.

We extend a heartfelt thanks to Kim Konikow, Executive Director of the North Dakota Council on the Arts, for such a lively and welcoming time in Bismarck.  

The post Midwest State Arts Agencies Convene in Bismarck appeared first on Arts Midwest.

“Is this your first time to South Dakota?” was a question posed to board members upon their arrival. For many, the answer was yes. And even for those who have been to the state, far fewer had been to western South Dakota.

The board made their home base in Rapid City, meeting with the local Rapid City Arts Council as well as the directors of South Dakota Arts Council and Arts South Dakota, all of whom provided background on the arts landscape around this vast state. They revealed deep partnerships and cooperation, both beneficial and necessary to supporting the arts in communities of all sizes across South Dakota. Fun fact: South Dakota has 37 local arts councils, which are vital to providing access to the arts in a state that is geographically spread out and more sparsely populated.

Photo Credit: Arts Midwest

The board spent their second day engaged in an all-day bus seminar, driving in the Pine Ridge Reservation with a team from the Center for American Indian Research and Native Studies (CAIRNS), an Indian-controlled nonprofit research and education center. The seminar included stops at the Badlands National Park South Unit Visitor Center, Oglala Lakota Artspace, Red Cloud Indian School, and Wounded Knee.

While traveling, we heard from CAIRNS team members about historical events and current issues, engaging in conversations about successes, challenges, and complexity within the state and the reservation.

Photo Credit: Anne Romens

Photo Credit: Anne Romens

Photo Credit: Anne Romens

During the previous day’s meeting, the Arts Midwest Board approved the use of our annual David Fraher Fund for Innovation support on a contract with CAIRNS that will further research into Native Nations of the region. This plan is part of activating our Living Commitment to Native Nations, and the experience we had together in the Pine Ridge Reservation reiterated the importance of learning about and investing in Native communities and futures.

“In partnering with the Center for American Indian Research and Native Studies, we seek to better understand nuances and ground in the foundational awareness of the Native Nations in our region,” says Program Manager Kayla Schubert. “It is exciting to be a part of this phase of work, knowing that we will strengthen our active commitments and reciprocal relationship building to guide us in partnership development with Native Nations.”

The board concluded their time together by hearing from local Rapid City arts organizations, including Racing Magpie and Suzie Cappa Art Center, galleries that make their mission to engage with and highlight the work of American Indian artists and artists with disabilities, respectively.

This gathering held great significance in various ways: connecting face to face, reminding us of the work that still needs to be done, and acknowledging the special places and important work already taking place in Arts Midwest’s region. Not only can board members now say they have visited South Dakota, but they can also better grasp the unique experiences, rich history, and profound questions that this community deals with on a daily basis.

“The Arts Midwest Board of Directors appreciated the opportunity to meet with our partners at Arts South Dakota and the South Dakota Arts Council, and experience the vibrancy of the arts community in western South Dakota in person,” said Brian J. Tiemann, Arts Midwest’s Board Chair.  “We hope to build upon our learning in South Dakota to further support the extraordinary work of artists and arts organizations in the region.”

Photo Credit: Anne Romens

The post South Dakota Welcomes Arts Midwest Board of Directors appeared first on Arts Midwest.

Our expert panelists will share their experiences and insights on the various aspects of the jazz industry, including performance, recording, marketing, and more. You will have the opportunity to network with other musicians and gain valuable advice on how to build your own artistic career.

Events And Activities

Registration Information

Registration for Pathways on the Jazz Road: An Artistic Career Workshop is now closed.

Robert Garcia

Jazz Road

Photo Credit: Robert Garcia

Pathways on the Jazz Road: An Artistic Careers Workshop is part of Jazz Road, a program of South Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest and the other Regional Arts Organizations. This program is made possible with funds from the Doris Duke Foundation with additional support from the Mellon Foundation.

The post Pathways on the Jazz Road: An Artistic Career Workshop appeared first on Arts Midwest.

During their visit, these Midwest arts champions connected with six federal agencies: the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute for Museum and Library Services, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Economic Development Association, and Health and Human Services.

It was the first visit of its kind for this network, who are eager to identify how we can partner to bring more federal and state resources to the Midwest’s arts and culture sector.

“Our visit to the nation’s capital marks a milestone for Arts Midwest and the nine Midwest State Arts Agencies,” said Torrie Allen, President & CEO of Arts Midwest. “We are excited to identify new ways to collaborate with federal partners in support of Midwestern creativity, art, and culture.”

“As leaders with our respective state arts agencies, we know the arts are the heart of healthy vibrant communities, through economic development, education, jobs, health and vitality, as well as rural prosperity,” says Donna Collins (OH) on behalf of the nine Midwest State Arts Agencies. “We are eager to build and deepen partnerships between federal, regional, and state agencies so artists and arts organizations in our states have access to a wide range of resources. One goal of our working together in the Midwest region is to create lasting professional relationships that strengthen all our communities in and through the arts.”

“Our partnerships with the state arts agencies and regional arts organizations are a crucial part of our shared vision of ensuring that everyone has access to the arts,” said Michael Orlove, Director of State, Regional & Local Partnerships, and International Activities at the National Endowment for the Arts. “We appreciated this opportunity to connect with our Midwest partners and hear their perspectives and I look forward to future conversations and convenings with our state and regional partners.”

The network plans to return to the nation’s capital on an annual basis, deepening relationships with these partners and making connections with additional federal agencies and sectors.

The post Arts Midwest and Midwest State Arts Agencies Connect with Federal Agencies in Washington, D.C. appeared first on Arts Midwest.

The launch of Heartland Performing Arts and the Midwest Arts Xpo comes after Arts Midwest announced the pause of future programming on the Arts Midwest Conference in 2021. State consortia leaders gathered virtually after the announcement to discuss options, and the future of arts programming. In January 2022, a task force of presenters, agents, artists, and managers was formulated to brainstorm ideas, research city locations, and adapt a new idea for a conference. To support the work of Heartland Performing Arts, Arts Midwest is giving the organization a one-time grant of $125,000 as start-up funding for the Midwest Arts Xpo (MAX).

“Since Arts Midwest’s exit from serving as a lead producer in the booking and presenting space, exciting new entities and collaborations have emerged,” says Torrie Allen, President & CEO of Arts Midwest. “We’re thrilled to support this coalition of dedicated folks reimagining the future of booking and presenting conferences in America’s heartland.”

“It’s hard to believe this phenomenal group of arts professionals merely began meeting this past January to discuss ways we could work together to fill the void left by the loss of the Arts Midwest Conference,” says Heartland Performing Arts Board President Tommy Hensel. “In five short months, we went from complaining about the problem, to creating both a nonprofit organization and conference! The best part of the process was realizing we were creating something for the industry that was developed and planned by the very people it is meant to serve. I feel blessed to work with so many passionate and talented people, and we hope everyone else will be as excited as we are about the new Midwest Arts Xpo.”

Sara Barasch from IMG Artists and Heartland Performing Arts Board Member states, “For many years, the annual Arts Midwest conference was an essential part of the booking process; it was a space for colleagues in the Midwest and beyond to build trust and relationships over time, see new and familiar faces year after year, and connect with a community of interesting, creative people to navigate industry challenges and innovative ideas together. It’s an honor to be part of the grassroots team that is reimagining this annual event as the Midwest Arts Xpo.”

Mark your calendars for MAX in Indianapolis September 18-21, 2023!

While the Arts Midwest grant is a significant contribution, additional support will be needed for the new conference. For more information about the conference, sponsorship opportunities, and registration, stay connected by following MAX on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, join the e-newsletter or visit the MAX website.

About Heartland Performing Arts

Heartland Performing Arts is a nonprofit organization which brings together arts professionals to encourage innovation, create educational opportunities, strengthen artist touring relationships, and support arts advocacy throughout the central United States. The organization was founded by agents, artists, and state consortia leaders from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Plains Presenters, Southwest Presenters, and Wisconsin. Visit their website for more information.

Heartland Performing Arts Board Members

• Tommy Hensel, President (Elgin Community College)
• Eric Olmscheid, Vice President (Wharton Center for Performing Arts at Michigan State University)
• Tianna Conway, Secretary (Carthage College)
• Jeff Laramie, Treasurer (SRO Artists Inc)
• Sara Barasch (IMG Artists)
• Gail Boyd (Gail Boyd Artist Management)
• Laurel Canan (Siegel Artist Management)

The Midwest Arts Xpo Committee

• Lindsay Bauer (Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, Sondheim Center)
• Loni Boyd (Wisconsin Lutheran College)
• Mary Jennings (Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts at Michigan Technological University)
• Luisa Kormann (The Roots Agency)
• Gary Minyard (Dayton Live)
• Jennifer Morris (Siegel Artist Management)
• Nicole Mulder (Theatre L’Homme Dieu)
• Peter Palermo (Sheldon Arts Foundation)
• Maureen Patton (The Grand 1894 Opera House)
• Kevin Peters (G.L. Berg Entertainment)
• Thomas Robbins (University of Dubuque, Heritage Center)
• Lisa Rock (Lisa Rock Entertainment)
• Leslie Rodriguez (Dominican University Performing Arts Center)
• Crandall Rogers (Four Mortals Production)

The post Announcing the Inaugural Midwest Arts Xpo (MAX) appeared first on Arts Midwest.