For our Chicago readers and, maybe more specifically, our Chicago writers…there’s an event coming up this weekend that we don’t want you to miss.  The Chicago Zinefest is a brand new event that’s trying to shine the spotlight on the Chicago zine community and bring a little connectivity...

Global Entrepreneurship, sponsored byThe Kauffman Foundation– the world’s largest foundation devoted to entrepreneurship– is happening Nov 16-22 this year. For one week, millions from around the world will join a growing movement of entrepreneurial individuals, to generate new ideas...

Yesterday, I attended the second in a series of events presented by the Chicago Arts Educators Forum, an initiative started by Merissa Shunk and Nicole Losurdo and sponsored by CAPE. This community of teachers, teaching artists, and organizations explores common challenges and opportunities in arts...

If you want to meet an artistic legend– come spend an afternoon hanging around with a bunch of clarinet lovers at Flourish Studio’s 3020 N Lincoln Avenue in Chicago on Sunday October 11th from 2-6. French wine will be paired with French Buffet clarinets for an afternoon of wine tasting, impromptu...

In my last article, “Culture, Crisis and Recovery”, I mentioned a forthcoming conference  I’d be attending in New Orleans convened by Imagining America, a collective of public scholars from a hundred universities across the USA and Canada.  I have just returned home and I am happy to tell you...

Anyone who has worked with the arts in non-traditional settings, that is, outside the more familiar spaces of our studios, galleries, theaters and concert halls, knows that there is a bit of healing magic tucked into the essence of our art forms that routinely takes people by surprise.  What’s...

The Elgin Film Festival Trophy- Made by the same company that makes the Academy Awards. This past Saturday was the first annual Elgin Film Festival, and if you were unable to attend this year I recommend that you mark your calendars RIGHT NOW for next year because this is the film festival to attend. When...

I have read and re-read these two blog posts- one by ultra conservative art critic, Roger Kimball, and the other written by film maker, Patrick Courrielche, about The NEA working closely with the White House. I simply don’t understand what the hoopla is all about? What? Our government IS NOT ALLOWED...

Received this email from the Executive Director of The Fresno Coalition for Arts, Science and History and thought all of you would be interested in their “Creating Critical Mass” Project… ****************************************************************************** Any effective social...

September is the month for film festivals, it seems, this year and I could not be more thrilled. Last weekend was the Chicago REEL Shorts film festival which was a hoot and my only regret was not being able to stay longer to see what other work they selected. “The Visionary” screened in a...

Save this date: Friday, September 11, 2009, 7:15 pm You’ll be glad that you did and here’s why: Back when I was studying theatre in college we used to say “If you want to be famous then go to New York, but if you want to work, go to Chicago”. Chicago is home to dozens of boutique...

Greetings Friends and Neighbors, Sometimes it’s fun to have a blog to just be able to share some good news and today I’m pleased to announce that Blue Damen Pictures is honored to be presenting our newest film “The Visionary” at the Chicago REEL Short Film Festival. We submitted...

Conference: Creative Entrepreneurship and Education in Cultural Life Where: Chicago, IL University Center 525 South State Street Chicago, IL When: July 15-18, 2009 Organizers: Arts, Entertainment and Media Management Department of Columbia College Chicago European Network of Cultural Administration Training...

I will be presenting a PACE session at this year’s CPSI Conference, taking place in June 2009 in Boston.  Go to www.cpsiconference.org to check it out. At the conference I will be presenting about the Principles of Design and problem solving.  The Principles of Design have been used by artists...

The Chicago Arts Educator Forum will have their FIRST forum focusing on the topic of building partnerships in arts education on Friday, April 10th. Hosted at Adventure Stage Chicago (formerly known as the Vittum Theater) from 9:30 am – 5:00 pm, registration is only $25 which includes breakfast, lunch...

An important message from Americans for The Arts Today, hundreds of dedicated arts supporters from across the country have come together in Washington, DC for National Arts Advocacy Day, a united effort to tell Capitol Hill how important culture is to our communities, how much arts education means to...

The following updates appeared on Judith H. Dobrzynski’s blog, Real Clear Arts I know we all want to believe that the Obama Administration will do wonders for the arts and humanities. But so far, the news is not so good. Yes, the $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts in the stimulus...

The New York State Alliance for Arts Education, in conjunction with the Adirondack Arts in Education Partnership and Champlain Valley Educational Services is proud to present a day-long Arts-in-Education (AIE) conference. This conference is designed for all educators: general classroom teachers, sequential...

Who: Dance • Design • Fashion • Film • Literary • Media • Music • Theater • Art What: A gathering of resources, services and expertise for people in the arts. When: Saturday, April 4 10 AM – 4 PM Where: Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, Chicago, Illinois The Creative...

Tired of Bad News? Does your imagination need a jump-start to re-engage the positive energy you have to bring to your life and work? Bring your co-workers and friends to an evening of creativity and play at Catalyst Ranch, 656 W. Randolph, Suite 3W, Chicago, Thursday May 14th, 6:00-8:00pm. The Bite-Size...