Dear Connecticut arts community,

We are writing on behalf of the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism (CCT)
and the Emerging Leaders Council of Americans for the Arts (AftA) to let you know
about an exciting opportunity for dialogue about the arts and leadership in Connecticut.

On October 2, 9, and 16, 2007, the Commission will celebrate National Arts and
Humanities Month by convening three Creative Conversations about leadership around
the state.  The sessions will take place at Hole in the Wall Theater (116 Main St. New Britain) on Oct. 2 at 9:00 a.m.; at Firehouse 12 (45 Crown St. New Haven) on Oct. 9 at noon; and at Hygienic Art Gallery (79 Bank St. New London) on Oct. 16 at 6:00 p.m. 

 

Lex Leifheit, assistant director of the Green Street Arts Center in
Middletown, and a recently appointed member of the Emerging Leaders Council, has
offered to coordinate the conversations.

This is your chance to expand your network, discuss challenges facing emerging arts
leaders, share resources, and connect with a statewide/national community of your
peers.

Emerging arts leaders come in all shapes and sizes, such as:

—A 53-year old board member who has just been asked to lead her small arts
organization

—An arts educator who is trying to energize his local arts council

—An audience member who’d like to advocate for more arts funding at her city council meetings.

And, of course, arts administrators at all levels of experience. The only requirement is
that emerging arts leaders have the desire to enhance their leadership capacity.

As we begin planning for our Creative Conversations, we need your help. What
leadership challenges are you facing? How do you want the arts leaders in your
community to interact with artists, audience members and local government? What leadership skills and practices are in need of support?

If you are interested in participating in a Creative Conversation, or would like to
act as a discussion facilitator, please complete the attached
survey form and return to Lex at artsleaders@gmail.com. Include your name, city and a brief description of the leadership issue you are most interested in exploring.

For more information about creative conversations happening nationwide, visit www.americansforthearts.org/services/emerging_leaders/creative_conversations/default.asp

We hope you can join us in celebrating National Arts and Humanities Month by
participating in a Creative Conversation! Please help us spread the word by
forwarding this invitation (and form) to your colleagues, listservs, and other community networks.

Sincerely,

An-Ming Truxes                                      Lex Leifheit
Arts Division Director                               Assistant Director
CCT                                                     Green Street Arts Center/
                                                           Emerging Leader Council Member
                                                           Americans for the Arts