Connecting Arts Professionals
As the Greater Cincinnati region's arts service agency, ArtsWave convenes groups of arts professionals throughout the year to network, share best practices, facilitate collaboration, and learn.
Bob Allen Groups
Bob Allen first convened and led lunches for arts marketing professionals in the late 1970s. He derived so much pleasure from these gatherings that he directed a legacy gift to continue these luncheons in perpetuity through the Elise Eaton Allen Performing Arts Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation.
In his memory, ArtsWave hosts "Bob Allen" gatherings for arts professionals in the following fields:
• Arts Education
• Community Arts Centers
• Community Engagement
• Marketing & Public Relations
Arts in HUEmanity (AiH)
In the summer of 2020, ArtsWave launched a new roundtable group for people of color who are employed at local arts organizations. Led by ArtsWave team member Janice Liebenberg this networking and mentoring forum helps create a stronger sense of community among arts professionals of color.
To join one of the networking groups listed above, please complete the sign-up form below.
Blueprint Lunch & Learns
Launched in 2015, Blueprint Lunch & Learns are a series of informal gatherings that invite local and national speakers to discuss topics around the Blueprint for Collective Action and related regional priorities or initiatives. Past topics have included:
• Meeting Our Talent Challenge in a Global Economy: Data and Insights for Action
Speaker: Mary Stagaman, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
• Creative Placemaking: A Conversation with National Leaders
Speaker: Jamie Bennett, ArtPlace America; Regina R. Smith, The Kresge Foundation; Lynne McCormack, National LISC
• Bridging Cultural Divides: A Conversation with Donna Walker-Kuhne
Speaker: Donna Walker-Kuhne, New Jersey Performing Arts Center
• Creative Time Summit: Under Siege (Live Stream)
Speaker: Alicia Garza with Sheila Pree Bright, Joana Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige, Shuddhabrata Sengupta (Raqs Media Collective)
• Updates from Source Cincinnati and the Regional Tourism Network
Speaker: Julie Calvert, Source Cincinnati; Linda Antus, Regional Tourism Network
• Implicit Bias
Speaker: Mary Stagaman, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber; Gabriel Gottlieb, Xavier University
• Building our Reputation + Cultural Tourism Marketing
Speaker: Susan Lomax, Source Cincinnati; Linda Antus, Regional Tourism Network
• Developing Intrinsic Inclusion across the arts sector
Speaker: Vincent Brown, Randolph Brown Consulting
• Development of 21st century skills + Sensory-friendly Arts Programming
Speaker: Isidore Rudnick, Cincinnati Public Schools; Julie Sunderland, Cincinnati Ballet (formerly); Jennifer Smith, Cincinnati Children's
Special thanks to the Elise Eaton Allen Performing Arts Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation for underwriting the cost of these gatherings for arts professionals.