The Power of Conversation

A united, and connected, cultural community is essential to the strength and vitality of the community. I spend a lot of time thinking about the strengths of our community, as well as some of the challenges and threats we face.

Some of the challenges are rather obvious–economic, audience engagement, doing more with less (and trying to do it better). Some of our assets are less tangible. From the day I moved to Baltimore four and a half years ago, what has always impressed me is how open and inviting the community is. Everyone I’ve met is eager to help you where they can, and more importantly, they genuinely want to see you succeed. There’s a certain generosity of spirit that makes our cultural community unique. Our community has a lot of depth and talent, but the challenge is getting everyone in the same room at the same time. I’m a firm believer that you can accomplish in one hour of conversation what it takes to create in a month on Facebook.

To this end, I’m happy to announce that I’m hosting a series of twelve morning roundtables next month, focused at different aspects of our community–some discipline specific, some departmentally specific, and some addressing larger issues in our community. All the conversations will happen at GBCA’s offices at 113 W. North Avenue in Baltimore’s Station North from 8am to 9am. GBCA will provide the coffee, feel free to BYOB (bring your own breakfast). There is no agenda entering into these conversations, this is just space to talk and connect with others in the community. Please let your friends and colleagues know about these conversations, and I look forward to seeing you in March.

If you plan to attend a session, please RSVP to gbca@baltimoreculture.org.

The Schedule of Conversations

Tuesday, March 8 – 8am to 9am – Emerging Leaders

This conversation is geared toward emerging leaders in the arts and cultural community, specifically people who have been in the industry less than five years, or are under 35.

Wednesday, March 9 – 8am to 9am – Literary Arts

This conversation is for poets, writers, publishers, or anyone with an interest in the literary arts.

Friday, March 11 – 8am to 9am – Marketing Staff

This conversation is for staff and professionals working in Marketing in area organizations who are GBCA members.

Tuesday, March 15 – 8am to 9am – Performing Arts

This conversation seeks to bring together the community working in the performing arts–music, live performance, dance, theatre, you name it.

Wednesday, March 16 – 8am to 9am – Executive Directors

This conversation is limited to executive directors at area cultural organizations who are GBCA members.

Thursday, March 17 – 8am to 9am – Community Arts

This conversation is for anyone working in community arts, art and social justice, or social engagement through art and design.

Tuesday, March 22 – 8am to 9am – Visual Arts

This conversation is for visual artists and gallery owners in the region.

Wednesday, March 23 – 8am to 9am – Arts Education

This is for people working in the arts education — programmers, teaching artists, schools, etc.

Thursday, March 24 – 8am to 9am – Development Staff

This conversation is limited to development professionals and staff who work at GBCA member organizations.

Tuesday, March 29 – 8am to 9am – Diversity

This issue specific conversation is focused on the issues of diversity and inclusion in our cultural community.

Wednesday, March 30 – 8am to 9am – Film and Cinematic Arts

This conversation is for artists and organizations focused on film and video.

Thursday, March 31 – 8am to 9am – Technology

This issue specific conversation is designed to discuss the use of technology in our field.

If you plan to attend a session, please RSVP to gbca@baltimoreculture.org. If you don’t RSVP, we might not brew enough coffee!

Until next week,

Buck