Wendell Berry wrote “If you don’t know where you are, you don’t know who you are.” Your feelings, experiences and emotions, plus what you know about nature, culture and history, create your ‘sense of place.’ When art is “place-based” or seen through the lens of place, it enriches your life and your region. It helps people focus on what we love and our vision for the future. Explore some prompts and practices to profoundly link your life and your work to the power of place. Your place could be from your past or present. NO experience needed! You’ll leave recharged, with fresh writings and ideas for how to foster a ‘sense of place.
This workshop is intended for anyone — artists, businesspeople, civic leaders and staff, and the general public — who wants to become more comfortable, proficient and effective at public speaking. When your goal is to persuade, inform, entertain or inspire an audience, your focus, and your audience’s attention, should be on your message, not you. Audience participation in this session is encouraged.
A talk and workshop-based discussion with John Bechtold about the converging worlds of teaching and practice in the arts. Many of us in the arts work in some capacity as educators. Often, these two roles seem to compete as much as converge with each other. How does one reconcile vocation with avocation? John is the Department Head for Performing Arts at Amherst Regional Middle and High Schools and the Director of DASAC – a large, postmodern visual and performing arts program for teens at Deerfield Academy. His work in theater encompasses direction, devising of original works and stage/lighting design.
The City of Pittsfield in Berkshire County has transformed itself from the “hole in the donut” to a bustling creative hub in less than a decade through a strong focus on creative placemaking and cultural revitalization, and we’re still in progress. The role of city gov’t & the establishment of an Office of Cultural Development was key. We’ll tell you how it all happened. Anticipated audience: Blend.
Learn how the Rethinking the Creative Economy action research team cultivated nested networks of artists for regional identity & economic development. See how an online, multi-disciplinary art show can both showcase and acknowledge local artists. (Blended audience)
This workshop will introduce participants to the power of creating and using short personal/public stories for social action. First, we will learn the power of story to inspire and motivate. We will then enter into collaborative story circles where we will begin to build our individual stories. This workshop is for anyone who would like to encourage others to join in volunteering, enrolling, fundraising or citizen advocacy.
The workshop will describe two signature initiatives of Pro Springfield Media, a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the conversation about Springfield. This 501(c)3 was formed by TSM Design, a marketing and brand development firm. We believe artists/businesses and municipal leaders will find the workshop informative.
The face of America is no longer white. It is composed of an ethnic mix that drives the economy. Whether you’re a business, a solo artist, or a government entity, you must think in multicultural terms in order to grow. This workshop will discuss 1) the importance of marketing to multicultural audiences for personal and/or business growth and 2) will provide the digital tools needed to reach this burgeoning audience.
This discussion / workshop will look at what it takes to create a Word Festival
and how without the participation of artists, audience, business and municipal leaders it
doesn’t happen. Information as to how the GAWFest was created and works, with emphasis
on artists in the room as to whether their art form lends itself to it’s own kind of festival / public
forum.
We all know that social media is a powerful tool, but who is doing it well? This presentation will show the best ways to use Twitter, Facebook and regular blogging to get your business out in front of a wider audience. Using specific examples of successful Social media promoters we will explore the advanced tools you can use to make it easier and reach more people. Discussion included.