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Presenting at APAP and South Arts

Executive Director's Letter
January 19, 2016

Over the weekend, Kibibi Ajanku, the Interim Urban Arts Leadership Program Manager and I were invited to present as part of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Pre-Conference Sessions with the topic of “What is the Role of Arts Presenters in a Community in Crisis?” Among the inspiring speakers we joined Carlton Turner from Alternate Roots, Cynthia Cohen fromBrandeis University, and Nick Slie from Mondo Bizarro. It was a reminder of the opportunity that Baltimore has to be a leader in transformation.

Kibibi and I also presented for South Arts whose topic was “Baltimore: Where the Arts Unify.” Both sessions gave us the chance to reflect on our City’s assets and the important role artists and cultural organizations play in strengthening communities. And we were able to see some friends there, including Tom Moore from UMBC, Randi Beneschfrom The Gordon Center, and of course our dear friend and genius, Liz Lerman who moderated the Saturday plenary session.

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was on our minds all weekend, not least of all at Loyola University of Maryland’s 23rd Annual Convocation last night, featuring Claudia Rankine. Her message was directed to the students in the audience, but resonated with all to be inspired to speak out and help create change on a personal and public level.

And on the topic of speaking out, Citizen Artist continues with more listening sessions, this week at the Enoch Pratt Free Library Hamilton Branch on Saturday, January 23, andWombworks next Monday, January 25.

There will be a special session for cultural organizations at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra next Tuesday, January 26 at noon. You can find more details atcitizenartist.vote.

Get out your snow shovels and your hot chocolate,
Jeannie

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