On February 20, 2020, Arts Management students had a transforming experience at the 5th annual Arts Ahead Symposium. This year’s theme was transforming tomorrow, which focused on inspiring change when it comes to making art or managing an arts organization, to adjust to the current political, social, and environmental culture. As described on their website, the goal of the symposium was to “examine the current changes happening within the arts and its management, as well as the future changes that will be necessary to adapt.”
Rebecca Peirson, the Program Coordinator of the Arts Management program, describes the student-run capstone event as an “annual one-day symposium for arts professionals and cultural leaders from organizations across Ontario.” She adds, “This year marked our fifth year engaging art professionals, including artists and art managers, in important conversations on a wide range of topics across our sector.” This event was also a great experiential learning opportunity for students within the program. Rebecca says, “Everything about the symposium is experiential from the students deciding the theme based on competitive analysis, forming committee groups, generating revenue, such as fundraisers before the event, silent auction during the event, and ticket sales, booking speakers, booking the venue, figuring out catering, and more.”
One of the co-chairs of the Arts Ahead Symposium, Danielle Parris, describes how the event was a bit different than most. She says, “We decided to stay away from traditional symposium formats, like keynote speakers, in order to provide a program that was more engaging and participatory. We aimed to change the perspective of our guests and encourage them to have agency over their experience.”
There were many activities and discussions throughout the day that provided numerous opportunities for learning and open communication. “The symposium began with an Open Space activity, facilitated by the wonderful Luke Reece. This gave our participants agency because this exercise was a self-led workshop. Open Space created a safe environment for attendees to suggest topics or questions that were important to them, which would be further addressed in group discussions. This was a great way to start the day and set the tone,” says Danielle. This activity at the start of the event provided an “atmosphere that felt safe, welcoming, and energetic…participants were captivated,” she adds.
Later in the day, there were warm-ups, workshops, a panel discussion, a taco bar, and Pecha Kucha Style presentations, which are presentations that have 20 slides that are each shown for 20 seconds. These presentations provided attendees with the opportunity to see the work of 5 featured artists and arts managers. Danielle says the day was packed with “presentations and activities that inspired attendees to be actively involved as they learned and contributed to the larger conversations concerning the arts.”
The work that went into the Arts Ahead Symposium began in September, and Danielle says it was “humbling to watch our guests enjoy themselves and to receive so much positive feedback regarding the professional demeanour of our cohort and the welcomed change in symposium programming.”
Overall, the event was a great success. Congratulations to the students of the Arts Management program, and everyone involved!
By: Alexandra Few, Communications - Professional Writing Student