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ANNUAL CONFERENCE LOS ANGELES, CA AUG 29 – SEP 1
LIVING BREATHING CREATIVE FORCES AT WORK COVER: Palm Trees by Creatas Images; Dancer Jill Wilson of Jacob Jonas The Company, photo by Jacob Jonas, courtesy of the artist; Artists Christina Angelina, Stephen V Williams and EaseOne, photo by Phil Sanchez, courtesy of Do Art Foundation. PICTURED: 2016 Launchpad Artist Okaidja Afroso, photo by Briana Cerezo, courtesy of the artist. FACING PAGE: Guadalupe Dancers performing at the 2014 WAA Institute: Emerging Latino Majority, photo by Jennifier Stewart.
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WE’RE GOING DOWNTOWN Downtown Los Angeles is in the midst of a cultural renaissance. Here, in the heart of this vibrant city, an exciting resurgence of performance is being created and presented in studios, storefronts, galleries and warehouses. Join us for the 49th Western Arts Alliance Annual Conference with this booming cultural scene as a backdrop. It’s a perfect opportunity to discover new artists, connect with colleagues, and delve into issues that are changing our work and communities.
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PICTURED: SEOP Dance Company (Seoul, South Korea), courtesy of KMP Artists. FACING PAGE: WAA’s Exhibit Hall, photo by The Photo Group; Luan Schooler of Artists Repertory Theater at the 2015 Indigenous Performance Symposium, photo by Coast Mountain Photography.
THIS IS THE ONE For arts organizations throughout the West, the annual WAA conference has no rival. With more than 190 exhibitors and 100 performances, this year’s event will be buzzing with creative energy and provide just the right setting for exchanging professional insights. Whether you’re touring, managing or presenting, this is a forum where you can make connections, expand your network, propel your career, and advance your work.
PICTURED: PUSH Physical Theatre, photo by Avi Pryntz-Nadworny, courtesy of Robin Klinger Entertainment. FACING PAGE: Compagnie Hervé KOUBI in “What The Day Owes To The Night,” photo by Didier Philispart, courtesy of Bernard Schmidt Productions; Jack Charles at the 2015 Indigenous Performance Symposium, photo by Coast Mountain Photography; LAX Pylons, courtesy of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board.
TAKE PART AND TALK SHOP With a full roster of speakers, seminars, exhibits, workshops, panel discussions, roundtables and peer networking sessions, the 2016 conference promises to inform, inspire, and educate as we address the specific challenges we face in our field. Through the exchange of ideas and experiences, we can promote artists’ work, broaden our reach and connect our respective arts communities.
WHAT’S NEXT IS NOW IN L.A. As a city long known for its cultural innovation, what is happening in L.A. often informs what’s next for the West. This year, we’ll explore three prevailing themes
PICTURED: 2016 Launchpad Artist Ensemble Mik Nawooj, photo by Pat Mazzera, courtesy of the artist. FACING PAGE: Los Angeles Sign, photo by Hemera Technologies, courtesy of ThinkStock; Artist Dourone, photo by Phil Sanchez, courtesy of Do Art Foundation; Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater, photo by Jason Skinner, courtesy of the artist.
Latino Artists & Audiences
DYNAMIC INFLUENCES As populations grow and evolve, it is incumbent on arts organizations to reflect their communities. Latino culture has long infused music, dance, and theater in L.A. and has relevance throughout the West. We invite you to explore new strategies for engaging this diaspora of cultures, traditions and art forms in your community. Dance Movement
PIVOTAL PERSPECTIVES With choreographers and performers pushing aggressive new forms of music and movement, L.A. is emerging as a top-tier city for dance making and performance. You’ll see artists and companies incorporating a dance vernacular once associated with the entertainment industry and using fluid strength in beautifully bold ways. Join us as we discuss this next frontier in programming, marketing, and engaging our audiences in 21st Century dance. New Venues
ROLE REVERSALS Why wait? This is the operative question for a new wave of entrepreneurial artists and presenters who want an audience now. Forget traditional roles and hierarchies—this a movement unconstrained by convention as the next generation finds their own forums and venues for creative expression.
2016 Juried Showcase Artists (clockwise from left): Cambalache, photo by Angelica Salome Macklin, courtesy of Riot Artists; Lightwire Theater in MOON MOUSE, photo by Carney/ Nicholson, courtesy of Kids’ Entertainment; Telegraph Quartet, photo by Eric Chin, courtesy of the artist; Michael Kaeshammer, photo by Andrew McNaughton, courtesy of United Talent Agency; Miwa Matreyk, photo by Ahrum Hong, courtesy of Cadenza Artists; Kiran Ahluwalia, courtesy of FLi Artists; Ate9 dANCEcOMPANY, photo by Cheryl Mann, courtesy of Cadence Arts Network.
MARISOL HERNANDEZ KEYNOTE SPEAKER She’s the lead singer of the Grammy-winning La Santa Cecilia and it is our pleasure to announce that the charismatic Marisol Hernandez will be this year’s keynote speaker. Known for her voice on stage and off, Marisol and Le Santa Cecilia perform music rooted in social justice, equity, and immigration reform.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Plan to be informed and inspired by this year’s roster of expert speakers, workshops, panels, and roundtables, led by the best and brightest in the field. Topics include engaging diverse audiences, contracts, the US artist Visa process, cross-generational leadership, and more. The 2016 program also includes four pre-conference workshops held on Sunday, August 28 and Monday, August 29. Sunday, August 28 / CONEXIONES: ENGAGING LATINO ARTISTS & AUDIENCES
This is a day-long symposium for artists, agents, presenters, and anyone interested in building authentic, sustainable, and equitable relationships from the ground up. Conexiones will draw on Southern California’s leading Latino artists, business professionals, and marketers to explore critical issues.
Sunday, August 28 / ADVANCING DANCE
Whether you’re a seasoned presenter of dance or looking for information, inspiration and practical ideas on how to incorporate (more) dance into your season, this workshop provides an opportunity to discuss the challenge and adventure of programming dance for your audiences. Monday, August 29 / INCREASING REVENUE THROUGH GRASSROOTS FUNDRAISING
Led by Jerry Yoshitomi, Chief Knowledge Officer of MeaningMatters LLC, this workshop will help you and your organization take the first steps for creating renewable, reliable, revenue streams through Grassroots Fundraising. Monday, August 29 / DANCE FORUM WEST
Building off of Dance/USA’s Dance Forum at APAP in January 2016, Dance Forum WEST will explore the partnerships needed between the dance artists, presenters, agents, and others to successfully market and build audience attendance.
BACKGROUND: LA Story Skyline Sunset, by Amy Boring, courtesy of Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. THIS PAGE: Walt Disney Concert Hall, courtesy of Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board; Dancers from the Musqueam dance group Tsatsu Stalqayu (Coast Wolf Pack), photo by Coast Mountain Photography. FACING PAGE: Keynote Speaker Marisol Hernandez of La Santa Cecilia, photo by Humberto Howard, courtesy of The Windish Agency; Pamela Green of PMG Artist Management, LLC and Carolyn Palmer of The Broad Stage at the 2014 WAA Conference, photo by The Photo Group.
THIS PAGE: JP Hoe, photo by Joey Senft, courtesy of the artist; 2016 Annual Luncheon Artist Slocan, photo by Mike Kalimin, courtesy of IMG Artists. FACING PAGE: 2016 Juried Showcase venue the Roy and Edna Disney/Calarts Theater (REDCAT), Courtesy of REDCAT; AiRealistic in “Breaking Dance”, courtesy of Starvox Booking LLC; Third Coast Percussion, photo by Saverio Truglia, courtesy the artist.
PERFORMANCE & DISCOVERY Because discovery is the engine that propels the WAA conference, you’ll find our program reflects the breadth and depth of touring performance in the West. Find great artists at any of following conference events: JURIED SHOWCASES INDEPENDENT SHOWCASES SPONSORED PERFORMANCES KEYNOTES AND PLENARIES SPEED LEADS PRESENTER PITCHES
INDEPENDENT SHOWCASES Throughout the conference week, delegates have the opportunity to see a diverse range of performance. This year, experience the best acts that the West has to offer with showcases for dance, Latino music, theatre, and more in the conference hotel and in venues across Downtown LA!
THIS PAGE: Dancer & choreographer Emily Johnson of Emily Johnson/Catalyst Dance, Musqueam Elder Larry Grant, and Jill Baird of the Museum of Anthropology at the 2015 Indigenous Performance Symposium; Ananda Bena Weber and Corey Reynolds at the 2015 Closing Night Party photo booth, all images by Coast Mountain Photography. FACING PAGE: 2015 Launchpad Artists The Nouveau Classical Project, photo by David Zanes, courtesy of the artist; DJ of the 2015 Juried Showcase Artist Niyaz feat. Azam Ali, photo by Coast Mountain Photography.
JOIN US IN THE COMMONS The Commons is our central meeting place, our event and exhibit space, and where everyone gathers to network and connect.
CONNECTIONS & NETWORKING Trusted relationships are essential to the success of every artist, agent, and presenter. We’ll be hosting a variety of hospitality events, dine-arounds, showcases, plenary sessions and roundtable conversations—each one will serve as an opportunity for you to expand and revitalize your network.
HOSPITALITY WAA offers four hospitality events, free with a full registration and two ticketed events you won’t want to miss! From the Opening Reception to the Annual Luncheon and Closing Night party—a private event at Lucky Strike L.A.—WAA’s generous hospitality events are a great way to relax, enjoy yourself with colleagues and clients, reconnect with old friends, and make new ones.
NEW COLLEAGUES, MENTORING, & 35BELOW Starting out can be overwhelming which is exactly why our New Colleague, Mentoring, and 35Below programs go the extra mile to help. Our New Colleague Program welcomes first-time attendees with pre-conference guidance, an onsite orientation and a conference mentor for building purposeful relationships. WAA’s 35Below program empowers young professionals in the performing arts community by providing the good basics for networking and making connections.
WAA WELCOMES YOU 2016 Western Arts Alliance Annual Conference August 29 - September 1 JW Marriott at LA Live / Rate $199 + tax / 1-877-622-3056 Early registration (now through July 15) $435 members / $560 non-members To exhibit or register, go to www.westarts.org
PLEASE JOIN US IN THANKING OUR
SPONSORS
L.A. Arts Groups Supporting WAA
THIS PAGE: The Theatre at Ace Hotel, photo by Spencer Lowell, courtesy of the Ace Hotel Downtown LA. FACING PAGE: Cuban/Afro-Cuban Artists Septeto Santiaguero, courtesy of Emerson Bran Management; 2016 Exhibit Hall Lobby at the JW Marriott, courtesy of the JW Marriott at LA Live. BACK COVER: Downtown LA photos by Hemera Technologies and Andrew Zarivny; courtesy of ThinkStock.
GRANT SUPPORT: THE ANDREW W.
MELLON FOUNDATION
715 SW Morrison Street, Suite 600 Portland, Oregon 97205 T 503-274-4729 F 503-274-4768
Design The Felt Hat
GO! Register @ westarts.org Early Bird Registration Ends July 15
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