PROGRAM IN DETAIL

8:3oam:  DOORS OPEN, REGISTRATION, COFFEE AND NETWORKING in the lobby

9:00 WELCOME AND WARM UP

with Shelly Covert, Spokesperson for the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe, Eliza Tudor, Executive Director, Nevada County Arts Council; and Dr. Karen Davis O’Hara, Executive Dean of the Sierra College Nevada County Campus.

9:20  FREE RESOURCES ALL ARTISTS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

with Heather Heckler, Kellie Cutler, Michaelyn Logue, and Diana Arbex. Are you in the know, being seen, connected, feeling supported? Join Nevada County Arts Council staff for an overview of key resources, including the how-tos of the community arts calendar, our artist calls and newsletters, and not one but two artist directories. Learn about monthly meetups for artists, and, if you have a public studio or a gallery space, how to join our map. At this session, we'll also share upcoming grant opportunities, and how to position yourself on our social media radar. This is a practical walk through you won’t want to miss!

9:50 KEYNOTE

YOUR HEALTH, YOUR BUSINESS, YOUR COMMUNITY

with Dr. Tasha Golden, PhD, Director of Research at the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins

BREAK

11:00 YOUR CHOICE OF BREAKOUT SESSIONS (classrooms):

The Future of Public Art in Nevada County facilitated by Mark Salinas, with Alison Lehman, County Executive Officer; Jen Callaway, Town Manager, Town of Truckee; Sean Grayson, City Manager, Nevada City; Haven Caravelli, Councilmember, City of Grass Valley. In cultural districts, partners from public, private, nonprofit and community sectors shape the physical and social character of neighborhoods, towns, tribes, cities or regions around arts and cultural activities. This defines placemaking and it animates public and private spaces, rejuvenates structures and streetscapes, improves local business viability and public safety, and brings diverse people together to celebrate, inspire and be inspired. Join us in conversation with our local leaders about the role and future of public art in our community. Learn how your voice counts in all things civic life, so that placemaking and public art can be informed and enriched through local participation.

OR:

Are You Experienced?  with Brian Chambers, Founder and Curator, The Chambers Project. The appearance, disappearance and reappearance of Psychedelic Art has been the subject of popular debate for decades. From its emergence in the 1960s, it has had a profound effect on popular culture, in terms of lifestyle, language, literature, philosophy, art, music, and fashion, and is considered to be one of the most visually exploited styles in design. Chambers, founder of The Chambers Project, is considered one of the most important collectors of psychedelic art globally, contemplates the joys and challenges of his role as curator, and offers insights into the future of showing one’s work as a visual artist.

OR:

Breaking the Myth of the Big Break with Patrick and Sean Johnson, Swazzle Inc. Learn from the masters when they say there’s no such thing as the big break. At best it happens only to the few and at worst it’s holding you back. Most successful artists rate small steps over one giant leap and accumulating small wins over single game-changing actions. In this session, celebrity puppeteers, twins Sean and Patrick Johnson, will walk you through defining precisely what success means to you and what replacing myth with practical proven techniques will power your trajectory.

OR:

Essential Steps in Your Music Career with Oz Fritz, Conrad Sisk and Katie Knipp. Music is continuing to evolve and transform, as is the way we consume it, interact with it and share it. Between streaming and social media, new enterprising opportunities now exist for artists like never before, while also carrying entirely new challenges and barriers synonymous with internet-first culture. This can be of serious interest to those dreaming up a career in the music industry. Nevertheless, questions like "who do I need to meet?," "what kinds of jobs can I do?" and "where do I even begin?" persist.

12:00 to 1:15 Lunch break

12:10 Working lunch breakout sessions (classrooms):

WORKING LUNCH: Making Our California Cultural Districts Work for You! with Heather Hecker, GVNC Cultural District Program Manager; Kellie Cutler, Truckee Cultural District, Program Managerf. What the hell is a California Cultural District? Nevada County boasts two of just 14 state-designated Cultural Districts in California--but what does that have to do with you??? In this interactive session, we'll pull back the curtain on the Cultural District program and give you tools, tips, and tricks to put the Cultural Districts to work for you.

OR:

WORKING LUNCH: How I Got Here  with David Nicholson, Award-winning Senior Staff Producer and Director of Television, Bloomberg. Learn about one of the most important roles in film - that of director of photography - and how they are responsible not only for overseeing the camera and lighting crew, but for creating the look and feel of a film, interpreting a director’s vision and bringing it to life. Learn about what all directors of photography need to have—from deep knowledge of cameras to composition, lighting, and film history—as well as David's own very personal insights into the tech and space industries, AI and biotech, and what it's been like working in some of the most remote places on earth. Engage in Q&A about the secret sauce of cinematography, and how to make it in film.

OR:

WORKING LUNCH: Branding Yourself with Juniper Lindquist Dacre, Marketing Manager, The Center for the Arts.  Creating a personal brand can be one of the most challenging hurdles for a creative to overcome. If you have struggled with creating a brand that fully represents yourself and your art practice, then this workshop is for you. Dive deep into the core of your creativity, tapping into your unique motivations and values. Discover how to channel your artistic essence into a compelling and unmistakable package that stands out. Join us for this dynamic workshop where we'll guide you in crafting a personal brand that not only speaks volumes about your artistry but also captivates and excites in this vast landscape of creativity and expression.

OR:

WORKING LUNCH: Podcast Essentials with Ramona Howard, Executive Director, Nevada County Media. The growing popularity of podcasts has thrust them into the mainstream with a global audience of over 485 million - one that has seen a 30% growth since the pandemic. In this session, Ramona will cover the key reasons you should be adding podcasts to your marketing strategy, and turn what appears to be intimidating into a breeze. Let’s be real. Most of us have a general understanding of what a podcast is, but as we enter the podcast world ourselves, more questions start popping up. From equipment to software, platforms to performance, podcasts are an exciting medium to share ideas, communicate your vision and sell your work. So let’s get it right!

1:15 KEYNOTE

THE SEEING PLACE

with Sean Fenton, Executive Director, Theatre Bay Area.

2:15 YOUR CHOICE OF SESSIONS (classrooms):

Inside the Mind of the Curator with Cheri Aswalt, deputy director, Verge Center for the Arts; Kara Q Smith, Interim Director of University of Nevada MFA-IA Program; Freda Scott, founder and director, Freda Scott Creative; and Kolin Perry, curatorial assistant at the Nevada Museum of Art. Join panelists as they discuss their respective roles as artists, curators, gallerists and program directors. How do curators choose the artists they work with and how much freedom is offered? To what extent do they nurture their artists, and what are their primary considerations – style, local or non-local, genre or discipline - or is it simply a matter of compatibility? And what does it mean to curate one’s own work? Learn about commissions and the definition of excellence, and what – really – it means to curate a gallery in a rapidly changing visual arts landscape.

OR:

Selling Your Work Online with Leila Srouji, founder, Tierra Madera Ceramics. There are many e-commerce strategies for art sales, but which is best for you? In this session, Leila will help you navigate e-commerce platforms to effectively showcase and sell your artwork online, including an exploration of pricing strategies secure digital transactions for a successful online art business, whatever your discipline.

OR:

Grant writing: Vision, Preparation, and Program Development with Jenny Darlington-Person, Executive Director, Music in the Mountains. In this presentation, attendees will learn the art of grant writing, uncovering strategies to identify suitable grants and tailor applications for maximum impact. From deciphering grant guidelines to crafting compelling narratives, participants will gain insights to navigate the intricate world of grants, enhancing their chances of funding success.

OR:

Success in Media with Sky Scholfield, Wintu, Pit River and Wailacki Producer and Documentary Artist, and UN Representative for the Youth Caucus Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues. Are you feeling like your videos are getting lost in the social media wormhole? This workshop will share some examples of how to think outside of the box using standard media tools. It will cover the tools you have available to you and how you can best use them. It will cover best practices and how you can produce great pieces, even if you don't like being in front of the camera.

3:15 BREAK

3:30 YOUR CHOICE OF SESSIONS (classrooms):

Relax With Tax for Artists for Creative Freelancers! with Jeffrey Thompson, MA, MBA, EA, actor, writer, magician, and partner at Thompson, Cherry & Associates LLC.  The tax season seminar for creative freelancers! Learn how to efficiently track income and expenses throughout the year, and don't miss the deductions you can make as a self-employed creative. Topics will include record keeping, form 1040, form 1099, Schedule C, the self-employment schedule, deductions, hobby losses, home offices, and more.

OR:

Expanding Visions: Evolving As a Public Artist with Sarah Coleman. Communities need public art and artists more than ever, but it can be a confusing path for artists to navigate. Dive into the intersection of creativity and commerce as we explore the possibilities of a career in public art. Learn essential skills in project management, client relations, and navigating private and public commissions. We will remove the mystery of forging a career in public art and help you to discover the strategies that turn passion into a sustainable profession.

OR:

Health Insurance for Self Employed Artists with Lindsey Nielsen, health insurance specialist. Come learn about your options as a self-employed artist, including what you might qualify for through the marketplace, how to write off your insurance premiums, what the individual mandate is and how it applies to you, and what the current laws are regarding health insurance subsidies. Bring your questions!

OR:

Acing an Audition with David Endacott-Hicks, Ariel Elliott, Aneka Torgrimson, facilitated by Sean Fenton. Ever left an audition and said to yourself, "That was terrible, I could have done so much better!" Auditions can be nerve-wracking experiences for actors, especially if you're not prepared. Whether it's for the first time or the hundredth, preparing is crucial for success. Our panelists will draw upon years of experience as coaches, mentors and superstars in their worlds. Together, they will reveal patterns of success, essential steps and industry secrets. They will teach you how to clinch roles by avoiding the simple mistakes that so many performers make, and how to break through barriers holding you back from achieving the success you deserve.

OR:

How to be An Artist Activist! with Michelle Amador. Bring the causes you care about and learn about strategies which put the principal of inclusive practice to work. We’ll be in conversation on topics not regularly discussed in the mainstream, and ones that reap positive personal and societal impact. Inspired by Michelle’s popular Solidarity Sessions, funded by Upstate California Creative Corps, think of this as a jam for Arts, Culture & Creativity Month – and for a better future for all. At this session, you will be ready to dive in, engage and participate!

4:35 THE STATE OF THE ARTS

with Julie Baker, CEO, Californians for the Arts and California Arts Advocates. Setting the scene for the day, Julie will share a broad overview of what's at stake in terms of state public funding for the arts, and how these translate as opportunities for California’s diverse populations and our own creative communities. With a predicted $68 billion state deficit, and important legislative changes, Julie will take a look at how artists are being viewed as vehicles for change. Find out which conversations you should be part of now. This plenary will include time for Q&A.

5:00 FEELING MOTIVATED & INSPIRED

A Community Building Session in the Auditorium with Daniela Fernández.

5:30 end