Joshua Tree, CA – On Saturday, Sept. 29th, Arts Connection – The Art Council of San Bernardino County, in conjunction with Copper Mountain College, will hold its 5th annual conference at the college’s Bell Center in Joshua Tree, California. This year’s theme is ‘Arts ReSourcing: Gathering and Cultivating our Communities,’ a day-long series of panels and presentations, connecting individual visual, performing, and literary artists with civic and community leaders in the expanding field of community-based art and creative practice. Afternoon workshops will cover community outreach, alternate methodologies for creative expression, social media strategies, fiscal sponsorship, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Arts Connection is dedicated to stimulating creative and economic vitality and enriching lives throughout San Bernardino communities. As Executive Director Jennifer Kane notes, “Our vision every year is to expand upon and support what is already happening across the county. This year’s conference will bring into focus the past year’s Morongo Basin cultural planning process and future imple- mentation plan and reinforce the idea that every one of us contributes to the on-going dialogue about how to build stronger, more vibrant communities.”
Michelle Decker, President/CEO of the Community Foundation will present the opening keynote address. She brings with her over 27 years of leadership experience in community economic development and specializes in rebuilding or constructing non- profit development organizations in both urban and rural communities.
The opening panel titled, “Vibrant San Bernardino: Exploring the range of arts and culture initiatives from across the County, features artists and leaders from On- tario, Redlands, Morongo Valley Basin, Victorville, and Rialto, representing a variety of disciplines across San Bernardino County with each sharing their projects and experi- ences with community engagement and project development.
With Arts Connection’s county-wide leadership in arts advocacy, Kane believes that we can shift the culture towards reciprocity in the arts, not just sustainability. The arts are vital to a healthy community and are incorporated at every level of an engaged, civic life. These are our communities and we are the resources that make up the potential futures we want to see made real in our neighborhoods.”
Location
Bell Center Community Room, Copper Mountain College
6162 Rotary Way, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Date: September 29, 2018: When: 9:30 am – 5 pm
Cost: $30 for members; $60 for non-member and includes lunch
Lunch is included in the registration fee, with special before and after events offered for an additional fee—including a sound bath experience at the Integratron Friday night and an after-party Saturday night at the Joshua Tree Saloon. More details and ticket registration are available on the Arts Connection website:
http://artsconnectionnetwork.org/events/conference-registration,
or by phone at (909) 381-1900.
