2024 Agenda | Arts Impact Ohio

A group of conference attendees engages in conversation.

Agenda

Arts Impact Ohio consists of two days of professional development sessions, performances, networking, and more. Click on the buttons below to view a tentative agenda for each day of the conference (events and times are subject to change).

6:30 - 9:30 p.m. | Pre-Conference Event (optional)

Welcome Party at TolHouse Social Club

Arriving in town early? Join the Ohio Arts Council and Toledo arts leaders for an informal welcome party with music, networking, and refreshments at TolHouse social club.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Must be registered to attend; no additional cost for conference registrants. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served, cash bar available.

1447 N Summit St, Toledo, OH 43604

7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Ramona Collins Jazz Trio

8:15 - 9:15 p.m.

DJ Marc Folk

7:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Registration & Continental Breakfast

"Share a Spark" Table Open for Item Drop-Off

What inspires you? The best gatherings involve more than just receiving ideas from speakers and workshop leaders – every AIO attendee has a lot to share, as well. So, help us launch a new AIO tradition this year by bringing something to our Share a Spark table. We’re asking conference attendees to bring something personally or professionally meaningful for them to give away: a book, a small art piece, a keepsake, a souvenir that represents your workplace or hometown, or some other inspirational item. Something you’ve had for years, something you’ve purchased (modestly priced, please), or even something you created yourself. Your item should provide a spark of inspiration, creativity, or warm memories in another attendee.

How to Participate
Bring your item with you to Toledo (just one, unwrapped) – and make sure to attach a note with your name and why you chose the item you did. You’ll place your item on the Share a Spark table on the first day of the conference, and then choose an item to take home with you on the second. Participation is optional but encouraged. The connection you make – and the reminder of all you learned in Toledo – could be a valuable exchange, reflecting the spirit of how we gather to share ideas and our best selves in our time together.

8:30 - 10:15 a.m.

Welcome Performance and Special Conference Kickoff

Performance: "El Corazon de Mexico" Ballet Folklorico

Welcome to Toledo! Grab a good seat and enjoy a high-energy performance featuring "El Corazon de Mexico" Ballet Folklorico dancers.

Donna Collins, Executive Director, Ohio Arts Council

Opening Remarks

KICKOFF CONVERSATION:
Gathering to Create Belonging (Hybrid Presentation)

There is a growing “belonging” crisis in modern, diverse workplaces where work happens via remote and hybrid formats. When we’re not in the same room as our colleagues and the workforce is in the midst of drastic changes, how do leaders create a sense of meaning, belonging, and purpose for their teams? How do we create a sense of belonging without all having to be the same? How do we honor our differences? In this provocative, funny, and warm moderated conversation, conflict resolution facilitator and author Priya Parker provides candid, practical, lens-shifting advice on vital 21st-century leadership skills. As a seasoned group facilitator, educator, and researcher, she breaks down the anatomy of meaningful connections and gives us the skills needed to create meaningful shared experiences, one gathering at a time.

About the Presenter

Priya Parker is helping us take a deeper look at how anyone can create collective meaning in modern life, one gathering at a time. She is a master facilitator, strategic advisor, acclaimed author of "The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters," and executive producer and host of the New York Times podcast, "Together Apart." Trained in the field of conflict resolution, Priya has worked on race relations on American college campuses and on peace processes in the Arab world, southern Africa, and India. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and two children. For more information on Priya, please visit prhspeakers.com.
Photo credit: AdamFerguson, 2021

Priya Parker, Master Facilitator, Strategic Advisor, and Acclaimed Author

10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Concurrent Workshops: Session A

A1. Diverse Perspectives: Broadening the Narrative of Art Education

Rooted in the Toledo Museum of Art’s (TMA) 2020 investigation of its collections and practices through the values of diversity, innovation, community, and trust, TMA created a week-long, summer institute for K-12 teachers. There, they developed skills and teaching strategies aiding students’ investigations of diverse perspectives and contributions to American history through visual culture. In return, the experience helped shape how TMA thinks about reinstallation from an educational standpoint. In this session, presenters will share the strategic planning, fundraising, and relationship-building that preceded the project support for this highly successful institute and provide inspiration from its curricular design, teacher-produced assets and outcomes, and logistical lessons learned, as well as deliver insights from their expert perspectives in museum development and education.

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Sherris Anne Schwind, Toledo Museum of Art

Sherris is a dynamic leader with more than 15 years’ experience advancing individuals, programs, and organizations to maximize their potential. As grants manager at the Toledo Museum of Art, she administers a multimillion-dollar portfolio. Sherris has degrees in creative writing, rhetoric and literature, and certificates of leadership and the teaching of writing. She served for nearly a decade as a faculty administrator at the University of Toledo. Previously, she was an executive producer at WGTE Public Media. She also has led professional development trainings in WGTE’s K-12 Educational Resource Center. She is skilled in contracts, fundraising, and program management; international and intercultural education; nonprofits; and analysis and negotiation. Sherris engages with the regional community through the arts, universities, networking groups, and volunteer associations.

A white woman with shoulder-length brown hair and a black v-neck shirt.

Grace Toth, Toledo Museum of Art

Grace is the senior manager of learning and interpretation at the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA), where she manages the K-12 teacher professional development programs; the teacher leader program, school tours, and resources; and the docent program. She also previously served as the National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Institute Project co-director. Grace is an exceptional arts education professional with a fine art degree who, through her creative and innovative approaches to art and art history instruction, is incredibly successful in the classroom, community engagement, and professional development settings. Her ability to authentically collaborate, inspire, and lead teams–in the classroom or the workplace–makes her a trusted resource at the museum and in its partnerships.

A2. The Art of Storytelling: An Immersive and Family-Centric Approach

Come learn about the immersive literacy model, Books Alive! For Kids®, recognized by literacy leaders worldwide for its innovation and relevance. The program offers various points of engagement all working together to enhance creative thinking, writing, reading, art, and music education. This immersive literacy model encourages multicultural awareness and understanding, with a carefully curated and representative library allowing every child to see themselves. Learn about combatting learning loss in K-3 education as well as inequities within the opportunity gap and celebrate innovation built on inclusivity.

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Kathy Wade, Learning Through Art, Inc.

Renowned international jazz vocalist and recording artist Kathy Wade, a top music influencer in the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame, has been a popular Cincinnati performer for more than 40 years. A two-time regional Emmy® award winner, she has sung in concerts across the United States, Europe, and Caribbean. Kathy is the 2023 Ohio Governor’s Awards for the Arts honoree in the category of Arts Administration and presenter at the World Literacy Summit at Oxford University in the United Kingdom. She is co-founder of Learning Through Art, Inc., a nonprofit organization celebrating 31 years of building resilient communities through art. A graduate of Xavier University with a master’s in arts administration from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, she serves on Xavier’s board of trustees.

A white woman with shoulder-length red hair with a turquoise and purple shirt.

Rachael Parker, Learning Through Art, Inc.

Rachael is a dynamic community leader with a demonstrated history of working in the education and nonprofit sector. After receiving her degree in English writing and art history from Berea College in Kentucky, Rachael was selected for the inaugural Teach for America: Southwest Ohio AmeriCorps cohort, where she served two years and has remained an active alumna. Building upon her experience in the classroom, she joined Leadership for Educational Equity and became the founding academic and program director of the Squash+Education Alliance's Cincinnati Squash Academy. She spent seven years transforming the lives of talented students in underserved communities by creating pathways of equitable access and opportunity.

A white woman with curly brown hair and glasses holds a purple puppet resembling a bird.

Kelly Jo Asbury, Learning Through Art, Inc.

Kelly Jo has served in all facets of education from primary to post-secondary, most recently having served with The Carnegie as the interdisciplinary arts educator within the Covington public school system serving all five elementary schools. Previously, Kelly Jo was a lecturer at Northern Kentucky University and an adjunct instructor for Chatfield College in Over-the-Rhine. Kelly Jo is an educator, collaborator, activist, and visual artist. Kelly Jo attended the University of Cincinnati and received her MFA in painting from the college of design, architecture, art, and planning. She obtained a BFA in studio arts in painting and drawing with a minor in theatre, alongside a BA in graphic design, from Northern Kentucky University. Kelly Jo’s work has been awarded and shown nationally as well as internationally.

A3. Captain Patron Engagement! – Uniting the Forces of Marketing and Fundraising for Nonprofit Success

In this post-pandemic landscape, forming an alliance between your marketing and fundraising teams is not just beneficial: it is essential. Unleash the superpowers of your marketing team: understanding customer voice, creating a cohesive brand identity, building systems infrastructure, and making data-informed decisions. Combine them with your development team’s strengths: recognizing the importance of small moves, knowing when to listen more and pitch less, understanding the impact of great storytelling, and cultivating the patience to play the long game. Together, these powers will amplify your organization’s impact. This session will deliver actionable strategies to bridge the marketing-fundraising gap, leading to stronger community engagement and financial stability. The power is yours!

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Sara Clark, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

Sara has made a home at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (CSC) for the past 18 seasons as an actor, director, teacher, and fundraiser. Currently serving as CSC’s director of development, Sara and her team have raised more than $1.8 million annually in charitable contributions to support Shakespeare and the classics. As a member of the CSC resident ensemble, she has participated in more than 75 productions, tackling such roles as Rosalind, Juliet, Marc Antony, Elizabeth Bennet, Lady Macbeth, and Hamlet. In 2018, she produced the Shakespeare Theatre Association Conference, bringing theatre companies from around the globe to Cincinnati. In 2019, Sara wrote and delivered a talk at TEDxCincinnatiWomen titled “Hamlet, Thy Name is Woman.” She holds a BFA from the University of Oklahoma School of Drama.

A woman with shoulder-length brown, wavy hair and a black and white shirt.

Jeanna Vella, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

A native Cincinnatian, Jeanna is the director of marketing and data analytics at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (CSC). Under her leadership, ticket and subscription sales tripled between 2017 and 2019 alongside a vast expansion of the company’s education and outreach programs across three states. Jeanna has worked with arts organizations in New York City, including the Marilyn Horne Foundation, New York University’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, and The Araca Group. She also worked in Louisville, Kentucky at Kentucky Shakespeare before starting at CSC in 2010. She is also an adjunct faculty member at Miami University and University of Cincinnati, teaching courses in arts management. She holds an MA in performing arts administration from New York University and a BM in music education from Miami University.

A4. Bringing Local History to a National Stage

In 2015, a committee from the Highland County Historical Society initiated a project focused on the first northern challenge to the Brown v. Board of Education decision of 1954 in Hillsboro, Ohio. The resulting documentary “The Lincoln School Story: A Battle for School Integration in Ohio” – which includes the perspectives of local students who marched then and are still alive today – has been shown all over Ohio and is set to air nationally on PBS. Following a screening of this short, impactful film, Executive Producer Kati Burwinkel will delve into the film’s production process, including securing grant funding, research methods, oral history archiving, filmmaker selection, basic copyright considerations, and the path that led this small-town civil rights film to a national audience.

A woman with short grayish-white hair and a scoop-neck black shirt.

Kati Burwinkel, Ohio Humanities

Kati is the executive producer of the film, “The Lincoln School Story.” Kati is a former board member of the Highland County Historical Society and is currently a consultant with Ohio Humanities. Kati's project has received the Ohio Diversity Impact Award from Wilmington College and the Ohio History Leadership Award, as well as other recognitions for her work on Ohio history projects. Kati is co-author of “The Black History of Highland County.” Kati is a retired registered nurse and lives on a farm in Hillsboro with her husband, Phil. She is the mother of three grown children.

A5. Professional Play as Professional Development

An art-based research collective, trace layer play (TLP) was born from a pandemic-era need for community. This session reimagines notions of professional development and productivity, building off of TLP’s philosophy of play as productive work that generates creative, often messy, spaces to ask big questions without the pressure to solve them. We believe emphasizing play, creativity, and process in a collaborative community are essential components of meaningful personal and professional development and well-being. Hear testimonials of this philosophy in action, take part in facilitated discussion on burnout, engage in collaborative art-making, and explore how TLP’s distinctive philosophy of play as productive can be implemented to support engaged and connected practitioners across our field.

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Amy Holihan, Music Columbus

Amy is the senior project manager for Music Columbus. Her work in the arts spans genres and cities. As a former professional ballet dancer, she performed with Pennsylvania Ballet and New York City Ballet, then transitioned to work in development and marketing for organizations such as the School of American Ballet, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, and Columbus Metropolitan Library. She currently serves on the Advisory Council for the Dance Data Project and as an active member of the trace layer play collective. She holds a BA in English from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in arts policy and administration from The Ohio State University.

Erin Hoppe, Ph.D., Miami University

Erin is passionate about enhancing well-being in the creative sector with research, education, and action. She is currently a visiting assistant professor of arts management and entrepreneurship at Miami University. Her pedagogy focuses on bridging theory and practice with attention to equity and accessibility. Her research focuses on arts administrator professional development, identity, and creativity. Erin has two decades of practitioner experience, including as executive director of Art Possible Ohio (formerly VSA Ohio)—a statewide arts and disability nonprofit—and in support positions at The Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian. She served long-time governing roles with Columbus Arts Marketing Association, Ohio Citizens for the Arts, and VSA International. She has received awards for arts management from the Greater Columbus Arts Council and teaching from The Ohio State University.

11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Luncheon Performance and Keynote Speaker

Performance: Bowsher High School Jazz Band

Enjoy lunch and networking with a side of jazz provided by Toledo Public Schools’ Bowsher High School Jazz Band students and director Matt Fritz.

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

Igniting Change, Inviting Growth:
Redefining Arts, Health, and Community Care

Dr. Tasha Golden, National Leader in Arts and Public Health

Artists have long understood how vital our work can be to human thriving. In recent decades, the science has been catching up—and we’re seeing heightened interest in art’s potential to address mental health, loneliness, and more. In her keynote talk, Dr. Tasha Golden reveals how this shift in interest can help artists and arts organizations reimagine what we do, where it “belongs,” and how to grow and sustain our valuable work. Blending research with practical guidance, and drawing on innovative models like “arts on prescription,” Dr. Golden describes the power of the arts to help people heal, connect, and lead positive change. Throughout, attendees will see their work anew, recognize untapped potential, and leave ready to unleash their creativity to help communities thrive.

About Dr. Tasha Golden

Tasha Golden, Ph.D. Tasha is director of research at the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University and a national leader and consultant in arts and public health. Holding a Ph.D. in public health sciences, Tasha has published extensively on the impacts of the arts, music, aesthetics, and social norms on health and well-being. She has served as an advisor on several national and international health initiatives, is adjunct faculty for the University of Florida’s Center for Arts in Medicine, and recently led the pilot evaluation of CultureRx in Massachusetts—the first arts-on-prescription model in the United States. Tasha is also a career artist and entrepreneur. As singer-songwriter for the critically acclaimed band Ellery, she toured full-time in the United States and abroad, and her songs appear in feature films and TV dramas (ABC, Showtime, Fox, Netflix, etc.) She is a published poet (Humanist Press) and founder of Project Uncaged: an arts-based health intervention for incarcerated teen women that amplifies their voices in justice reform.

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1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Concurrent Workshops: Session B

B1. Writes of Passage: Emcee Your Philosophy

Discover your creative rhythm and articulate your artistic aspirations in this hip-hop songwriting workshop. Guided by Dee Jay Doc and Quill the Messenger, participants will experience the iterative process of hip-hop songwriting – from beatmaking and collaboration to freestyling, chorus making, and affirmations. You’ll craft a short, hip-hop inspired verse that encapsulates your core philosophy, integrating your desires and goals for your next artistic iteration. Remix your life mission and share it in a safe, creative space. Dive into the creative process, guided by experts, and leave with a refreshed perspective, ready to launch the next version of yourself and your art.

A white man in a blue jacket and gray cap speaks into a microphone.

Jeremy Bryan, Hip-Hop Pedagogy

Jeremy (aka Quill the Messenger) is an artist, educator, and author with a background in youth work, recording and performance, and nonprofit management. He currently serves as director of hip-hop pedagogy at Refresh Collective in Cleveland and holds a master’s degree in liberal studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His thesis was published in the book "Hip-Hop(e): The Cultural Practice and Critical Pedagogy of International Hip-Hop (Adolescent Cultures, School, and Society)," which won the 2014 American Educational Studies Association Critics Choice Award. He is co-founder of Cypherstyle, an organization that develops and releases hip-hop music and hip-hop-based curricula, and released his most recent album, “Midlife Crisis,” in September 2023.

A white man with glasses and a floral shirt spins a record.

Doc Harrill, Refresh Collective

Dee Jay Doc is a hip-hop artist, youth cultivator, and founder of the Refresh Collective and Cypherstyle. Voted one of Cleveland’s 30 Most Interesting People in 2017 by Cleveland Magazine, he uses hip-hop to increase health and neighborhood vitality. In his 30 years as a hip-hop artist, he has performed hundreds of shows and helped more than 10,000 students write, record, and perform their own songs. He created the Fresh Camp neighborhood summer hiphop program in 2011 in his own neighborhood of Glenville in Cleveland. Now, it has grown into Refresh Collective, an arts and youth development nonprofit organization serving students in Cleveland and Cincinnati. He has opened educational recording studio spaces for aspiring young artists in schools, hospitals, and community centers.

B2. Creative Approaches to Creative Aging Projects

Creative Aging Ohio was initiated in 2013 to find ways to expand arts programming for older adults. Since then, the Ohio Arts Council's teaching artists have continued to learn, grow, and develop experiences for venues throughout the state. In this facilitated peer session, we'll discuss the approaches that have been effective in encouraging creativity and continued participation in creative aging residencies. What worked for and from you as a teaching artist or host organization? What needs work? How can we work together to find or retain venue and coordinator connections? We'll share in conversational format, and actively listen and respond to topics of creative aging presentations in various arts formats.

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Lynette (Lyn) Ford, Storyteller, Author, Poet, and Teaching Artist

Lyn is a fourth-generation storyteller who shares the gifts and heritage of folktale, family story, and creative narrative from her Affrilachian family. Lyn is a an award-winning, nationally recognized raconteur and author, a poet and workshop presenter, a Thurber House mentor to young authors, a teaching artist listed in the Ohio Arts Council's Teaching Artist Roster, and a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher. Lyn is a recipient of two National Storytelling Network Oracle Awards, the National Association of Black Storytellers' Zora Neale Huston Award, and the National Association of Black Storytellers Black Appalachian Storytelling Fellowship, and she has received several awards for her books. Lyn has been a featured teller and workshop presenter at festivals and conferences across the United States, Ireland, Australia, and online.

B3. From Reactive to Proactive: Efficient Arts Marketing with Limited Resources

Elevate your marketing approach! Whether you're journeying solo or collaborating within a compact team, be prepared for actionable insights that address real-world challenges head-on. Delve into essential time and task-management techniques, as well as organizational strategies that maximize your workflow efficiency. And upgrade your skills: unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence and automation — tools that can truly revolutionize your approach, especially when resources are tight. This workshop goes beyond mere theory, emphasizing empowerment through practical tools. Alongside invaluable strategies, participants will engage in hands-on exercises and rich discussions, ensuring you’ll leave with newfound knowledge and ready-to-implement best practices for the arts.

A white woman with black glasses and shoulder-length brown hair.

Lynette Shy, Confluence Arts Solutions

Lynette is the CEO of Confluence Arts Solutions, where she has been pivotal in arts marketing and leadership since 2003. Boasting nearly two decades in the industry, Lynette's expertise is not only evident in her impactful campaigns, two of which garnered four Emmy awards, but also in her adeptness at crafting strategies. Using her deep industry knowledge, she has helped artists and organizations flourish and grow. Her 10-year tenure as marketing director at BalletMet and 13 transformative years as managing artistic director at Snap! Performance Productions underlines her dedication and vision. Above all, Lynette's passion lies in the art itself and in her unwavering commitment to sharing its beauty and power with the world.

A white woman with long blonde hair with pink streaks looks over her shoulder and laughs.

Megan Wurtz, Confluence Arts Solutions

Megan stands at the unique intersection of arts and business, bringing a fervent passion to both fields. Graduating magna cum laude, Megan holds a BFA in dance from The Ohio State University’s (OSU) College of Arts & Sciences and a BS/BA in marketing from the OSU Max M. Fisher College of Business. Today, as a consultant with Confluence Arts Solutions, she's reshaping how artists and arts organizations are managing marketing campaigns and how strategies are visualized. While she once danced on the professional stage, Megan now channels her love for the art into teaching and mentoring the next generation of dancers.

B4. Unlocking Arts Funding: Navigating Regional and National Grant Opportunities

Dig into arts funding beyond Ohio's borders and take advantage of opportunities in the broader arts funding ecosystem. In this workshop, representatives from Arts Midwest and the National Endowment for the Arts will walk you through opportunities available at the regional and federal levels. Learn about the United States Regional Arts Organizations and how these unique arts service organizations can support your work. Hear from the National Endowment for the Arts about federal initiatives and how your organization may benefit. Attendees will gain insights into the art of successful federal grant applications and leave equipped with databases and tools to help them explore new grant opportunities.

A white woman with long brown curly hair and a black and white striped shirt.

Alana Horton, Arts Midwest

Alana is an arts administrator and creative who currently serves as communications officer for Arts Midwest. As one of six nonprofit United States Regional Arts Organizations, Arts Midwest works to strengthen local arts and culture efforts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, state agencies like the Ohio Arts Council, private funders, and many others. Alana spends her days amplifying storytelling, communications, and marketing efforts across the Midwest, with the goal of equipping creative organizations and individuals with the tools and resources they need to succeed.

A white woman with shoulder-length blonde hair and a red, square-neck shirt.

Jen Hughes, National Endowment for the Arts

As senior advisor to the chair for partnerships, expansion, and innovation for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Jen is responsible for supporting the chair’s strategic vision by advancing partnerships with federal agencies and philanthropy to extend the mission and reach of the NEA. Since 2011, Jen has held multiple positions at the NEA, most recently serving as the director of design and creative placemaking. Trained as an urban planner, she previously worked for the District of Columbia government and is passionate about the role of arts and design in furthering community-led goals.

B5. Keys to Equity and Inclusion - Invisible Disabilities and How to Help

Ohio educators are witnessing what seems like a breakdown in many students’ ability to “do school comfortably.” Although student overload and shutdown were present before COVID-related school closures, the frequency of these experiences has increased since schools reopened. We are still digging out of the side effects of Covid-19 and the new difficulties the shutdowns and disruptions created. This workshop reviews possible reasons for students’ behaviors related to sensory overload or shutdown, and offers potential strategies for educators and teaching artists to create sensory-friendly learning spaces, sharing ways to create compassionate communities where all can feel welcome and included.

A white woman with long gray-brown hair holds a guitar.

Joanie Calem, Musician, Art Educator, and Invisible Disabilities Advocate

Joanie is a musician/educator, an autism parent, a singer/songwriter, and an inclusion advocate. Joanie’s music centers on creating community and recognizing our overlooked common ground. In addition to performing and teaching, she also works to raise awareness about invisible disabilities, namely Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and ACES. To this end, Joanie presents professional development workshops for educators and families, and leads song and story community building activities for all ages. Joanie has a BA in music in community building from DePaul University and extensive training in trauma informed care and SPD.

2:45 - 5:30 p.m.

ArtArounds

What better way to appreciate Toledo’s lively and multi-faceted arts scene than seeing it for yourself, up close and personal – on an ArtAround! ArtArounds are AIO’s community site visits. This year we’ve lined up a series of six behind-the-scenes tours led by local experts to give you unprecedented access to what makes Toledo’s cultural scene tick – all you have to do is pick your favorite. Admission is included in your registration, but spaces are limited, and will be available first-come, first-served upon check-in at AIO. No matter which ArtAround you join, it will be an incredible way to spend the afternoon!

Museum All-Access

Toledo Museum of Art and Glass Pavilion

Join Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) staff for a glimpse into how this nationally known visual arts institution does what it does, both public-facing and behind-the-scenes. We’ll break into small groups to make the best use of our time: enjoy tours of exhibitions, see a glass-blowing demonstration in the celebrated Glass Pavilion, get an up-close look at ongoing conservation work, and explore The Museum Store, where nearly 200 local artists offer their work for sale.

Stream of Creativity

Glass City River Wall, Glass City Metropark, and National Museum of the Great Lakes

Anchors away! You’ll start this ArtAround by boarding the Glass City Pearl and cruising up the Maumee River for an up-close look at the famed Glass City River Wall mural – led by its project manager. After docking, you’ll take the helm and choose between a guided walking tour of the collaborative public art at the new Glass City Metropark or an in-depth look into the history and exhibits at the National Museum of the Great Lakes (bus transportation provided back to the Renaissance Hotel).

Educational Excellence

Toledo School for the Arts and The Portal

Housed in a historic building once home to a car manufacturing facility, the Toledo School for the Arts (TSA) now shines as one of the most notable public charter schools in Ohio. Participants will tour the TSA building, see and hear a sampling of outstanding student performances, learn about The Portal – their new community-facing multiuse arts space – and maybe even make some artwork!

Walk the Warehouse District

Gathered Glass, Graphite Design and Build, and River House Arts

Prefer a more self-paced afternoon excursion? Grab your walking shoes and stroll through a nearby assortment of creative spaces, galleries, and studios. You’ll engage with local artists and entrepreneurs and see a glassblowing demonstration. Maps and wayfinding will be provided to help you make the most of your self-guided exploration of this revitalized downtown district.

Art by Bus

Various Toledo area public art attractions

What’s red, sweet, and weighs 25,000 pounds? Which famed jazz pianist is immortalized through a glowing column of piano keys? To uncover answers to these and other questions, hop on the bus for an hour-long tour of the Toledo area’s most notable works of public art. Participants will visit murals, sculptures, and other public art, led by staff of The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo. Participants will also hear about recent work in GIS mapping of the city’s public art collection with an emphasis on creating more accessible tours.

Director’s Cut

Screenings and Talkbacks with Four Local Filmmakers

Grab your popcorn for an exclusive screening of films by four local award-winning filmmakers. Spanning documentary, comedy, folklore, and narrative styles, films run 10-20 minutes in length and will be shown on the nearby Imagination Station’s 58-foot-wide KeyBank Discovery Theatre screen. Each screening will conclude with a talkback focused on the artistic process as well as how Toledo has served as a backdrop and inspiration for their work.

After a full day of learning and experiencing Toledo’s arts and culture scene, kick back and relax with us at Imagination Station (attached to the Renaissance, just steps away). Connect with fellow conference-goers while enjoying live music featuring musicians of the Toledo Symphony String Quartet and exploring the science center’s interactive exhibitions: make your own music, challenge your optical perceptions, check out their art gallery, or get creative at their many learning centers. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served, cash bar available. Don't miss this opportunity to mix, mingle, and delve into a world of imagination in the heart of downtown Toledo!

A large atrium with brightly colored hot air balloons and a colored pattern on the floor

1 Discovery Way, Toledo, OH 43604

Evening Reception at Imagination Station

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

For Early Risers

7:00 - 8:00 a.m.

Early Morning Mindfulness

Whether you're a seasoned wellness practitioner or a curious beginner, if you’re an early bird this session is for you! Join Toledo Mindfulness Institute – and your fellow early risers – for a morning of mindfulness practice. Through mindfulness meditation, interactive exercises, and reflective discussions, attendees will learn to harness the innate connection between mindfulness and creativity, preparing their minds and spirits for the enriching experiences ahead at the conference. Bring your coffee and start your day with valuable insights and practical tools to infuse your work with intention, clarity, and inspiration.

About the Presenter

Isabella Weik, CEO of Toledo Mindfulness Institute, is a trained jazz musician and mindfulness expert. Isabella's connection to mindfulness runs deep, as she has been practicing it her entire life. Her parents are the founding teachers of the Buddhist Temple of Toledo and through this, Isabella has gained a profound understanding of the power of mindfulness and its transformative effects on individuals and communities. Isabella is passionate about Toledo’s renaissance and has a personal mission of helping community thought leaders and changemakers cultivate clarity and presence to do the important work they are tasked to do. In her spare time, she serves as president of the Rotaract Club of Toledo, a newly founded organization geared toward helping creative and entrepreneurial young professionals of Toledo.

Isabella Weik

Toledo Mindfulness Institute

7:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

"Share a Spark" Table Open for Item Pick-Up

How to Participate

Bring your item with you to Toledo (just one, unwrapped) – and make sure to attach a note with your name and why you chose the item you did. You’ll place your item on the Share a Spark table on the first day of the conference, and then choose an item to take home with you on the second. Participation is optional but encouraged. The connection you make – and the reminder of all you learned in Toledo – could be a valuable exchange, reflecting the spirit of how we gather to share ideas and our best selves in our time together.

8:30 - 10:15 a.m.

Morning Performance and Plenary Session

Performance: Children's Theatre Workshop

Sit back, relax, and enjoy a theatrical revue featuring cast members of Toledo’s Children’s Theatre Workshop.

PLENARY SESSION: Arts Longevity and Local Government

2024 is a milestone year for The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo. In this year, the Arts Commission will celebrate its 65th birthday, mark 47 years since the launch of the first public art program in the state, and honor the 30th anniversary of the Young Artist at Work program. These initiatives have been sustained for decades and were achieved and grown through strong partnerships with local government. During this plenary session, attendees will hear from the founders of these programs about their origin stories, impact, and evolution -- and why elected officials continue to support them today. This is a can’t-miss session for anyone working to establish new programming with the support of local government and advocates.

About the Presenters

For more than 25 years, Marc Folk has worked with passionate dedication to advance the arts, culture, and community development in the Toledo region. He served for three years as the president of Ohio Citizens for the Arts, is past co-chair of the Toledo Area Cultural Leaders, and is a board member of Americans for the Arts. He is a recipient of the 20 Under 40 Leadership Award and the 2009 winner of the Governor’s Award for Arts Administration, and, in 2010, he was recognized as the University of Toledo’s Outstanding Alumnus in the Arts. In 2018, he was awarded the Ray Hanley Innovation Award by Americans for the Arts in recognition of his outstanding individual contributions to arts and culture in American cities.

Wade Kapszukiewicz, the 58th mayor of Toledo, has prioritized public safety, economic development, community engagement, and sustainable infrastructure since he was first elected to the position in 2017. Previously the Lucas County treasurer from 2005 to 2018, he founded the Lucas County Land Bank during his tenure. He was elected to Toledo City Council at 26, making him the youngest member in nearly three decades, and beginning his lifelong dedication to public service. Kapszukiewicz holds a journalism and political science bachelor's degree from Marquette University and a master's in public policy from the University of Michigan. He and his wife Sarah, married for 22 years, reside in Old Orchard with their two children.

Susan Reams, a driving force in Toledo's public art scene, is the architect of the city's One Percent for Art program over 40 years ago, setting a precedent for cities nationwide. As an active member of the Art in Public Places committee, she continues to shape Toledo's cultural landscape with over 50 sculptures and her role in design review boards. Her advocacy extended statewide, chairing the Ohio Arts Council’s Percent for Art committee. Susan's initiatives, like Toledo Alight and partnerships for large-scale public art, illuminate her dedication. Recognized by the Lucas County Commissioners with the "Susan R. Reams Plaza," her legacy leaves an indelible mark on Ohio's cultural heritage.

Marc Folk

The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo

Wade Kapzsukiewicz

Mayor, City of Toledo

Susan Reams

City of Toledo One Percent for Art Program

10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Concurrent Workshops: Session C

C1. AI and the Arts

Artificial intelligence (AI) has captured headlines in recent months, provoking excitement and wonder, concern and fear – and plenty of confusion. Let’s separate fact from fiction and unpack what these emerging technologies really are, how they work, and what they might mean in the coming years for Ohio’s arts sector, nonprofit leaders, creative artists and educators, and arts audiences in general. Bring your questions and curiosities and join us for a facilitated conversation on whether AI poses a threat to traditional creative roles and industries… or heralds the dawn of a new era of artistic innovation – and its implications for the future of personal expression and authenticity. We’ll also discuss whether and how it can work for you – just like it helped us write this description.

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Ness B. Shroff, Ph.D., The Ohio State University

Ness B. Shroff received his Ph.D. degree from Columbia University and joined Purdue university immediately thereafter as an assistant professor. At Purdue, he became professor of the school of Electrical and Computer Engineering and director of CWSA in 2004, a university-wide center on wireless systems and applications. In July 2007, he joined the ECE and CSE departments at The Ohio State University, where he holds the Ohio Eminent Scholar Chaired Professorship of Networking and Communications. Dr. Shroff's research interests span the areas of communication, networking, computing, storage, cloud, recommender, social, and cyberphysical systems. He is especially interested in fundamental problems in machine learning, design, control, performance, pricing, and security of these complex systems. He is currently leading an NSF AI Institute for Future Edge Networks and Distributed Intelligence.

Facilitated by:

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Dan Katona, Ohio Arts Council

Dan joined the OAC in 2001 and became its deputy director in 2014. He co-led the agency’s development of a cloud-based online grants system in 2014, and currently oversees agency policy development and strategic planning, among other duties. Dan is a past fellow of the Academy for Leadership and Governance: Next Generation of Leaders program and alumni of Leadership Ohio, and has served as a grants adjudicator for numerous state arts agencies and the National Endowment for the Arts. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Dayton and a master’s degree in arts administration from Florida State University, where he served as a graduate assistant in the Center for Music Research.

C2. Arts Entrepreneurship - Teaching Young Artists to Engage with the (Buying) Public

For 25 years, Toledo School for the Arts (TSA) has prioritized engaging young artists with professional artists, community artists, and the general public. The school operates on the belief that a well-rounded arts education teaches students to create and perform, and also navigate the marketing and sales aspects of their artistic endeavors. In recent years, TSA has actively expanded its workforce development program beyond the traditional school day and calendar year with its transformative Arts Entrepreneurship model, and has been at the forefront of arts vocational education in Ohio, helping to draft portions of current state academic content standards in the arts. In this session -- valuable to attendees whether or not they take part in the TSA ArtAround -- TSA staff will share the evolution of TSA’s arts workforce development program from the beginning to its newest expansion.

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Dave Gierke, Toledo School for the Arts

Dave was the original percussion teacher at Toledo School for the Arts (TSA) and began fundraising for the school in 2002. He was instrumental in developing all of TSA’s arts entrepreneurship efforts, including a paid performance program for both the school and students. Dave has provided consulting to other charter schools in Ohio and across the country. He has presented on arts entrepreneurship at the Arts Schools Network’s 2016 conference in Dallas and at the 2023 conference in Birmingham, Alabama. Dave holds a bachelor’s of education from the University of Toledo and a certificate in fundraising management from The Fund Raising School at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

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Bethany Urbanski Fry, Toledo School for the Arts

Bethany was the first alumna to be hired at Toledo School for the Arts (TSA). A member of the class of 2004, she has been a part of the development team for 15 years. She earned her BA in dance from Point Park University and has an extensive dance background, both in performance and in management. As TSA’s development business manager, Bethany oversees all aspects of the development department, including data management and reporting, and coordinates several TSA fundraisers. For years, she has served as the booking agent for TSA’s performing groups in its outreach program, and she will guide and supervise the work of student interns in TSA’s expanding booking agency.

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Lucas Madrazo, Toledo School for the Arts

Lucas graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2006 with a BA in professional music. Lucas then worked in New York City for more than a decade in various capacities of the music industry, including music management, private instruction, and performances — with a variety of original acts. He has also worked on the personal management teams and tour managed for various artists. Returning to his hometown of Toledo, he promptly accumulated a robust private teaching and performance schedule, and he co-founded a recording studio and music supervision service. In 2018, he accepted a position at Toledo School for the Arts (TSA), where he currently teaches business of arts & communications and runs the music production program in TSA’s Appold Recording Studio.

C3. How Are You Talking to Your Community?

Effective and authentic community engagement and lasting relationships are vital to organizational success. In this engaging group conversation, we’ll explore the differences between these modalities, and the necessity of both when it comes to fostering authentic relationships and impactful messaging. Learn about the components that create (or hinder) real connection within communities and the people they serve, examine basic principles of human interaction on both an individual and group scale, and begin to uncover how people connect with one another and what makes those relationships last.

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Veronica ("Vee") Thornton, Vee's Consulting

Vee is the owner of Vee’s Consulting, a business that provides viable, efficient, and effective solutions to organizations, small businesses, and creative entrepreneurs. Vee specializes in engaging communities and passionately advocates for the underserved, overlooked and unheard to promote equity. She has worked with several organizations advocating for career pathways for artists across sectors like Arts in Health and Education, along with various community initiatives. Her belief in the power of community, collaboration, and creativity drives her to create inclusive spaces. Vee strives for a more connected and equitable world where art and advocacy create lasting change.

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Meg Matko, Assembly of the Arts

Meg is a nonprofit long-hauler, visual artist, and community builder working as director of community relationships at Assembly for the Arts. She holds a BFA concentrating in sculpture from Kent State University and has over a decade of arts administration and nonprofit management experience, concentrated in relationship-building, community outreach, organizing, facilitation, program development, grantmaking, and research. Meg has served as community relations manager at the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture (CPAC) and Arts Cleveland (2013-2021). She maintains an active creative practice in interdisciplinary performance receiving a 2021-22 Satellite Fund grant for visual art from the Warhol Foundation via SPACES. She has exhibited works most recently at Current Gallery, Artist Archives of the Western Reserve, Worthington YARDS, and Doubting Thomas Gallery in Cleveland.

C4. Restoring the Lost Art of Empathy: The Key to Ethical and IDEA Cultures

Choose your own adventure in this interactive session! Learn to apply practical tactics to strengthen your ability to connect and maximize yourself, your team, and your mission. Forbes, CEOWorld, and countless others have cited empathy as the No. 1 leadership skill required to lead an organization and cultivate an ethical and inclusive culture. This session will provide a holistic view of the three types of empathy, and how a lack of empathy is apparent in behavior, policy, and operations. Participants will learn practical exercises and tactics that they can implement immediately to improve in ways they never knew possible.

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Matthew David Gellin, American Legacy Theatre

Matthew, CFRE, MFA, is the founding executive artistic director & CEO at American Legacy Theatre. Matthew has lived all over the country, working in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, and he has represented the United States in the People’s Republic of China for international business affairs and Romania for UNESCO’s International Theatre Institute. As a theatre practitioner, Matthew has worked on three continents and is an accomplished producer, director, actor, playwright, and artistic developer. He actively seeks to create theatre for social change playing a critical role in system-wide improvements.

C5. Performing Place

How do we carry the places that matter to us most and how do our minds and bodies remember them? Join this interactive workshop, ''Performing Place,'' to reach beyond art theory and discussion by actively creating a collaborative piece. In this session, one-woman show creator Sara Abou Rashed will guide you out of your comfort zone in a series of fun and creative steps toward a mini performance. Your imagination, creativity, openness (and moving body--though absolutely everyone is welcome!) will enrich this memorable activity of writing, making, reflecting, and sharing with one another.

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Sara Abou Rashed, Poet and Public Speaker

Sara is a poet and public speaker. A Palestinian in origin, she was born in Syria and has called Ohio home since 2013. Her poems appear in the anthology “A Land With A People,” the latest English curriculum for grades 9-12 from McGraw Hill, Poetry Wales, Poetry Magazine, The Rumpus, The Kenyon Review, and The Nation. Sara created the autobiographical one-woman show, “A Map of Myself,” which narrates her family’s displacement story. She has performed the show more than 15 times across the United States and has been the keynote at multiple national conferences. A former poetry fellow at the Vermont Studio Center, Sara has delivered a TEDxTalk and was nominated for a Pushcart award. She earned her BA from Denison University and MFA from the University of Michigan.

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Luncheon Performance and Plenary

Performance: Nancy Lendrim

Connect over lunch accompanied by the music of renowned harpist Nancy Lendrim of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra.

PLENARY: Demystifying the ADA and Related Laws: Moving Beyond Compliance

Understanding how the Americans with Disabilites Act (ADA) and related civil rights laws for persons with disabilities apply to arts organizations is critical to ensuring that your organization is prepared to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse society. This session will provide an overview of the various laws and how they apply, as well as share updated information about current and anticipated changes that may impact programs and activities now and in the future. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions about specific situations they’ve confronted or handled and discuss concerns related to the obligations that the ADA sets forth. This session will demystify the ADA, viewing it not so much as a legal obligation or compliance issue, but rather a starting point for building a more inclusive and welcoming experience for all employees, visitors, customers, and patrons.

About the Presenter

Robin is the director of the Great Lakes ADA Center and an instructor in the department on disability and human development at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The Center serves the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The Center provides training, consultation, and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related legislation with the goal of promoting voluntary compliance. Robin has served as the director since the Center's inception in 1991. Formerly, she served as executive director of an independent living center and as an occupational therapy practitioner at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. She has extensive experience as a trainer regarding the ADA for business, government, education institutions, employers, and service organizations. Robin has been actively involved in assisting covered entities to meet their obligations under the ADA and is recognized as a key resource nationally.

Robin Jones

Great Lakes ADA Center

1:45 - 2:45 p.m.

Concurrent Workshops: Session D

D1. Creating an Effective Work Culture

Your culture is a direct reflection of who you are, and it sets your organization up for the ultimate success or failure of its mission or objectives. What do you stand for? Do you possess a social profit mindset? Are diversity, equity, and inclusion true parts of the fabric of your organization, with senior staff and board leadership carrying the water, or merely a box-checking sidebar? Does your organization embrace a culture of non-micromanagement? Does your board truly understand its role, maximize engagement, and measure its own effectiveness? Join this session and walk through these questions and more, and most importantly, leave with an understanding of why having an effective culture is so critical to the success or failure of an organization.

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Lowell Perry, Greater Cleveland Film Commission

Lowell is the chief diversity officer, vice president of corporate & community engagement, for the Greater Cleveland Film Commission. He is an innovative senior executive with a track record of success in the social impact and for-profit sectors whose skills include general management; advocacy; fundraising; community outreach; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and board and organizational development. A Yale graduate and SAG-AFTRA actor, he has appeared in numerous training films, commercials, voiceovers, feature films, and television. He is a former front office executive with the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. Speaking topics include “Social Profit Mindset” and “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is an Existential Part of an Effective Organizational Culture.” He is a lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and a member of the Yale Alumni Association of Cleveland board of trustees.

D2. Flashes of Inspiration – 5 presentations in 1 hour

In this session, you'll see five engaging shortform presentations – six minutes apiece, followed by a brief Q&A with each presenter – and leave inspired!

Assessing Active Citizenship in Creative Placemaking: A Framework for Equitable Decision-Making

Gillian Kim, Ph.D. Candidate

Many arts and cultural sectors are dedicated to improving the welfare of their local communities and communication with residents is essential to understanding communities’ needs and problems.

The Power of The Superhero Project

Lisa Kollins, The Superhero Project

Discover how a global League of Extraordinary Artists is empowering youth in Ohio and beyond – particularly those impacted by serious illnesses, disabilities, trauma, and complex mental health or medical needs – by harnessing the power of the arts as a tool for healing.

Grafik Justice: Design for Protest

Brit Rowe, Ohio Northern University

How can artists and designers use their skills and knowledge to draw attention to racism in their communities? How can they help spark curiosity or conversation?

The Power of Interdisciplinary Experiences

Amanda Schaeffer, Art Educator

Art education has the power to connect communities and create pathways to a more just and sustainable future. From rain barrels to student-led murals, the arts impact and enrich communities within and beyond school walls.

EVAC Project and Deep, Authentic Participation

Joseph Van Kerkhove, and Lee Fearnside, Experiencing Veterans and Artists Collaborations (EVAC)

Experiencing Veterans and Artists Collaborations (EVAC) uses storytelling and art to bridge the gap between veterans and civilians. Showcasing narratives from all five branches of the armed services, from World War II to the current day, learn how EVAC creates an environment for viewers that invites empathy.

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Gillian Kim, Ph.D. Candidate

Gillian is a Ph.D. candidate specializing in cultural policy and arts management at The Ohio State University. She earned bachelor's degrees in communication arts and art from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master's in arts management from Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College. Prior to her graduate studies, Gillian worked in a variety of arts sectors, including with organizations such as the Busan International Film Festival, City Theatre, Pittsburgh Glass Center, and The Andy Warhol Museum to provide more accessible arts programs to the public. She contributed to research, including projects on Racial Equity & Arts Funding in Greater Pittsburgh and the Arts and Economic Prosperity in Allegheny County. She is currently working on her dissertation research about citizen participation in creative placemaking.

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Lisa Kollins, The Superhero Project

Lisa is the founder and director of The Superhero Project, a nonprofit that harnesses the power of the arts as a tool for healing and empowers youth impacted by serious illnesses, disabilities, trauma, and other complex mental health and medical needs. An educator by training, she previously served as administrator of the Schubert Center for Child Studies and the Social Justice Institute, both at Case Western Reserve University, and was an employment associate at Youth Opportunities Unlimited, which supports pathways from poverty for teens. Lisa volunteers locally and internationally, including for nine years at Camp Sunrise, which was the only camp in Ohio for youth impacted by HIV/AIDS.

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Brit Rowe, Ohio Northern University

Currently professor in design at Ohio Northern University (ONU), Brit joined the faculty in 1999 after receiving his MFA degree from the University of Michigan. He served as chair of the art and design department, was awarded the Eleanor and Robert Biggs Endowed Chair in the Arts, received ONU excellence in teaching awards, and was inducted into Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. Brit volunteers with local community organizations, is a member of various professional organizations, and serves as faculty advisor for various student groups. He has curated exhibitions, been selected to present at numerous national and international conferences, was included in Creative for a Cause (a social responsibility resource for design educators) and is active on the United States International Poster Biennial advising committee.

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Amanda Schaeffer, Art Educator

Amanda is a middle school art teacher at Hilliard City Schools’ Innovative Learning Hub. She is passionate about using art to create better thinkers, knowers, and doers. For 16 years, she has taught students how to use art and advocacy to feel connected and empowered in their own communities. Amanda is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Innovative Environmental Educators, is a Martha Holden Jennings/Fund for Teachers fellow, and serves as the executive director of the Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition.

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Joseph Van Kerkhove, Experiencing Veterans and Artists Collaborations (EVAC)

Joseph is an associate professor of art and director of the Diane Kidd Gallery at Tiffin University. He resides in Toledo, where he works out of his home printmaking studio. He holds an MFA in printmaking from Indiana University and a BFA from the Columbus College of Art and Design. Joseph’s artworks have been exhibited in a variety of venues nationally and internationally. Joseph is a co-founder of the Experiencing Veterans and Artists Collaborations (EVAC) Project, which brings together artists and veterans, and oversees the recruitment of participating artists. The EVAC Project has traveled to 28 venues since its inception in 2017, including Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Dulles International Airport, and the Flatiron Building in New York.

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Lee Fearnside, Experiencing Veterans and Artists Collaborations (EVAC)

Lee is an artist, photographer, editor, and curator, and is co-founder of the Experiencing Veterans and Artists Collaborations Project, which brings together artists and veterans. Her art has been exhibited in galleries and museums in New England, in the Midwest, and in national juried shows—including at the Toledo Museum of Art, the Reece Museum in Tennessee, and the New York Hall of Science. She earned an MFA in photography from the Rhode Island School of Design and an MS in arts administration from Drexel University. She recently published “Death Never Dies,” an anthology mourning 27 public figures who died in 2020. The book won the Gold Medal in Pop Culture from the Independent Publishers Book Awards and the silver medal in Non-Fiction Anthologies from the Midwest Book Awards.

D3. Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Join artists, educators, organizers, and culture bearers from Southeast Ohio for an informal session discussing multidisciplinary collaboration and cross-sector partnerships that repair struggling communities using visual and literary arts, film, and folklife projects and practices. Learn how both the public and private sectors can be activated using grassroots projects to improve economic development, creative opportunities, and resident empowerment. Chat with three nonprofit organization leaders working together to identify and address the changing needs of their communities with topics including public art, LGBTQ+ film and advocacy, Latine culture in Southern Ohio, Appalachian literature, and more!

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Amanda Lewis, Trillium Project

Amanda earned her BFA in visual arts from Shawnee State University and is now the founder and executive director of Trillium Project, a small arts and culture nonprofit in Portsmouth, Ohio. Trillium Project pays local artists and creatives for work, investing in socially responsible ways to support communities and engage residents in collaborative art-making and advocacy work.

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Dr. Cassie Patterson, Southern Ohio Folklife

Cassie received her Ph.D. from The Ohio State University’s Department of English with a graduate interdisciplinary specialization in folklore. She served as the associate director of the Center for Folklore Studies and director of the folklore archives from 2012 to 2021. Cassie is a first-generation Salvadoran American who grew up in Southern California and moved to Ohio to attend graduate school. Dr. Patterson co-created the Ohio Field School, an integrated community engagement program, archival collection, and service-learning course that asked, “How do Ohioans create a sense of place in a changing environment?” Her work aims to delve deeper into collaborative, community-based participatory and action research approaches.

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Amanda Page, Scioto Literary

Amanda is a Columbus-based writer from Southern Ohio. Her work appears in Belt Magazine, The Daily Yonder, 100 Days in Appalachia, Literary Hub, and Yes! Magazine. She is the editor of “The Columbus Anthology” from Belt Publishing and The Ohio State University Press, and creator of Packard’s Columbus—a walking tour of Frank Packard architecture in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Her essay, “The Packard Presence in Columbus, Ohio,” about developing the tour, is featured in the anthology “Midwest Architecture Journeys” from Belt Publishing. She is also co-director of the documentary, “Peerless City”, about the rise and decline (and rise) of Portsmouth, Ohio, as examined through the lens of three slogans adopted by the city over the past 100 years.

D4. The Art of Audience: Fine-Tuning Your Marketing Strategy

Unlock the power of diverse marketing channels to effectively reach your target audience! Organizations must make critical decisions on where to focus their attention in the vast digital marketing landscape, strategically navigating website development, social media, email marketing, paid ads, and more. The key to success lies in knowing your audience and employing tailored strategies. This session will offer insights on digital marketing segments and how to leverage them to build relationships and enhance the delivery of your brand message.

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Kara Crawford, Middletown Arts Center

Kara has worked in the digital marketing space for more than a decade. Her experience includes consulting and implementation of marketing strategies for a variety of companies and industries. She found her home as the assistant director of marketing + development at the Middletown Arts Center (MAC) and has been with the organization for more than four years. Her position at the MAC enables her to utilize her experience to cultivate creative experiences for the community while ensuring the sustainability of arts education, exhibits, and community outreach initiatives for years to come. Kara resides in Southwest Ohio with her husband and two children. She enjoys spending time with her family, being creative, exploring the outdoors, and traveling.

D5. Expanding Art Programming for People Living with Dementia in Ohio

Scripps Gerontology Center’s Opening Minds through Art (OMA) is an evidence-based, intergenerational art program that pairs college students with people living with dementia in long-term care communities. Developed in 2007 at Miami University, OMA is grounded in person-centered philosophy by inviting people living with dementia to freely express their creativity during weekly art sessions. Student volunteers are trained to rely on imagination instead of memory and focus on remaining strengths instead of lost skills. Research shows the benefit of OMA for both individuals living with dementia and students showcasing the creative capacity of people living with dementia, and provides a new perspective on engaging art activities appropriate for this population.

Meghan Young, Opening Minds through Art at Scripps Gerontology Center

Megan is the associate director of Opening Minds through Art (OMA) at Scripps Gerontology Center. Her career in aging and the arts began in a service-learning class during her first year at Miami University, where she facilitated storytelling experiences for residents living with dementia in nursing homes. Since then, Meghan has worked on research projects dedicated to making communities age- and dementia-friendly, instructed intergenerational service-learning courses for three years, and assisted long-term care providers with implementing arts-based activities for their residents. She has presented to local, national, and international audiences on the topic of intergenerational connections and the arts. She believes everyone, regardless of age or ability, can share their life stories through the arts.

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Krysta Peterson, Opening Minds through Art at Scripps Gerontology Center

Krysta is the assistant director of Opening Minds through Art (OMA) at Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University. She first became involved with OMA in 2010 as a student at Miami. Upon returning as a Peace Corps Volunteer in China, Krysta has been a caregiver, served as a volunteer coordinator in hospice, and co-founded a nonprofit organization to promote OMA in and around Northeast Ohio. Through her varying positions, Krysta has facilitated programming, led facilitator trainings, and coordinated relationships between universities and long-term care facilities. She loves to build relationships and help others explore the passion that she’s had since first becoming an OMA volunteer.

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Concurrent Workshops: Session E

E1. The Pro Aging Adventure!

So often, our society views aging as a shameful problem rather than a privilege. What if, instead of embarking on a battle against aging armed with serums, creams, and injections, you went on a Pro Aging Adventure, filled with discovery and delight? In this session, participants will learn how the Akron Art Museum shifted its focus to the joys and possibilities of older adulthood through an eight-session artmaking workshop designed exclusively for adults 55 and better. Join us and hear from workshop participants themselves, as well as see work produced while they were being encouraged and supported by artists and experts.

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Merry Petroski, Akron Art Museum

Merry joined the Akron Art Museum as the project manager of the Creative Aging Institute—a grant funded program to encourage creativity and connection through arts education for participants 55 and over that is supported by E.A. Michelson Philanthropy. Merry's 15 years of experience in the senior living and senior housing space included a focus on the Montessori method in adults living with dementia and work with low-income seniors. A graduate of the Pratt Institute, she has provided staff training and continues to be amazed and inspired by working with older adults.

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Gina Thomas McGee, Akron Art Museum

Gina is the Akron Art Museum's director of learning and engagement. Supported by her knowledge and guidance, the museum benefits from programs specifically designed for group tours, children and families, and community outreach as well as programming and events aimed at area educators. Gina and her staff facilitate an array of opportunities, including Kids Maker Fest, Camp Creative & Teach Talk, among several others.

E2. When Life's a Circus, Join it!

Imagine a world where artistic expression and physical fitness come together in a harmonious blend. Bird’s Eye View Circus (BEVC) is a school and performance space, serving as a haven for artists and creatives of all kinds. BEVC offers a unique curriculum encompassing aerial and ground acrobatics, fostering strength, flexibility, and confidence for every participant, regardless of athletic background. Join this enlightening session and explore how art, fitness, and community can enrich your artistic journey and help you unlock your true potential.

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Morgan Sopko, Bird’s Eye View Circus

Morgan fell in love with aerial silks the first time she stepped into the air. She is certified in tumbling and stunting safety and has coached competitive cheerleading since 2007. From a young age she enjoyed being in front of a crowd by performing in competitive gymnastics and dance. She is also an educator, holding positions at the Toledo Metroparks and the Toledo Zoo, where she has taught all age groups. Morgan has performed in many Bird’s Eye View Circus productions and was the lead choreographer of two scenes in the organizations 2015 Baba Yaga production.

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Renee Granados, Bird’s Eye View Circus

Renee is an artist and former gymnast who began training with Bird’s Eye View Circus in September 2013. Having done competitive gymnastics for all of her young life and having no affinity for “plain old exercise,” she found her silks training to be the perfect mix of fun, fitness, and expression. Since then, she has branched out into many other apparatuses, such as static trapeze, hammock, rope, hand balancing, and tightwire. Renee enjoys performing, exploring new ways of storytelling within circus arts, and chasing the perfect handstand at open gym. She adores the Bird’s Eye community for its supportive atmosphere and openness to creativity.

E3. Creating A CAREing Arts Community

Join the National CAREing Communities Team of the Tony Award-Winning Cleveland Play House in this energetic, hands-on workshop. Explore the evidenced-based CARE (Compassionate Arts Remaking Education) curriculum designed to battle learning loss. This theatre education program draws on lessons from social-emotional learning theories, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based literacy learning for K-12 students. Explore theatre techniques and exercises that help students develop empathy and broaden their understanding of each other and the world around them, empowering them with valuable tools that can be applied throughout their lives. Join this session and come away with a vibrant CAREing Energy.

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Thomas T. Kazmierczak, Cleveland Play House

Thomas is The National CARE Project Director of Cleveland Play House. His artistic work has been recognized both locally and nationally. He studied at Queen Margaret College in Scotland and received his master’s in theatre education from Emerson College. In addition, he received a BA in psychology from the University of Buffalo. The CARE project has received funding from the U.S. Department of Education, the Ohio Arts Council, and many additional Ohio and New York resources. CARE has also received both local and national media attention.

E4. Navigating Difficult Conversations: Increase Accountability and Productivity to Improve Organizational Cultures

We’ve all faced difficult conversations, which are a crucial part of accountability and productivity in all that we do. Using the framework of the New York Times Bestseller, Crucial Accountability, this session will give you something to help that next conversation feel more manageable and productive. A large part of creating and sustaining healthy organizational cultures is improving communications. If this is a priority for you or your organization, this is the session for you. Participants will learn to identify when a conversation becomes crucial, learn practical ways to handle difficult conversations, and gain tools to hold others accountable.

A woman with dark skin and long, dark hair and a blue suit jacket.

Jennifer McCary, Toledo Museum of Art

Jennifer is the chief people and culture officer at the Toledo Museum of Art. In her work, Jennifer is helping to expand and operationalize diversity and inclusion strategies and promote a culture of belonging, performance, and accountability. In her previous role, McCary was the chief diversity and belonging officer at Bowling Green State University (BGSU), where she oversaw the Division of Diversity and Belonging and supported the university’s strategic plan. Jennifer earned a BFA degree in art education and stone sculpture, an MA in college student personnel, a graduate certificate in instructional design, and a doctorate in organization development and change, all from BGSU. She is also a three-time TEDx speaker and an exhibiting artist.

E5. OAC Grants 101: Learn About Our Programs and Meet Our Team

Conclude your AIO conference experience by learning more about the OAC’s many grant programs for organizations and artists. The first half of our session will feature an overview of available funding programs and resources, including operating support grants, project support grants, and grants available through our Arts Learning and Artist Programs offices. You’ll learn what each program is, how it works, when you can apply, and how to be successful. When that presentation concludes, we’ll use the second half of our session to break into small groups so you can meet and circulate amongst our regional coordinators, arts learning coordinators, artist programs coordinator, and investment office staff members. Bring a specific question, drill deeper into a particular grant program(s) of interest to you, or just chat face-to-face with someone you’ve been emailing with for years. See you there!

4:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Closing and Conference Trivia Challenge

Join us in the ballroom one final time to close out the conference – we’ll award prizes to the top social wall posts and engage in some friendly competition with the Conference Trivia Challenge! You’ll split into teams of three to four people and vie for fabulous parting gifts. It's a chance to bond, have fun, and end our gathering on a high note before we head our separate ways. See you there!

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Agenda

Registration & Continental Breakfast

Welcome Performance and Special Conference Kickoff

KICKOFF CONVERSATION: Gathering to Create Belonging (Hybrid Presentation)

Concurrent Workshops: Session A

Luncheon Performance and Keynote Speaker

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

Igniting Change, Inviting Growth: Redefining Arts, Health, and Community Care

Concurrent Workshops: Session B

ArtArounds

Museum All-Access

Stream of Creativity

Educational Excellence

Walk the Warehouse District

Art by Bus

Director’s Cut

Evening Reception at Imagination Station

Stay Connected

KICKOFF CONVERSATION:
Gathering to Create Belonging (Hybrid Presentation)

Igniting Change, Inviting Growth:
Redefining Arts, Health, and Community Care