2013 LA Convergence

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2013 LA Convergence!

We enjoyed a lovely day with our colleagues exploring the issues and trends at work in our field.  We hope these dialogues will continue over the coming months.

The LA Convergence is a biennial day of collaboration, conversation, and shared goal setting for those working to make Los Angeles a healthy, vibrant, and prosperous region through arts and culture.  It provides a singular opportunity to unite leaders across disciplines, from myriad organizational roles, and from every corner of Los Angeles County.

The day's focus is on listening, learning, and collaborating to advance the role arts and culture play in building healthy communities.

The LA Convergence is designed for executive leaders and emerging leaders with a deep investment in cultural policy, cross-regional collaboration, and greater understanding of issues currently affecting arts, culture, and arts education.  For most organizations, the Executive Director or comparable leader is the right person to attend the event.  Larger organizations may want to consider sending a government affairs-focused staff member as well.

2013 LA Convergence Schedule 

8:00 a.m.
Breakfast & Registration

9:00 a.m.
Opening Plenary
Featuring Jim Canales, President & CEO, The James Irvine Foundation
in conversation with Rocco Landesman, former Chair, National Endowment for the Arts
responding to a list of words—buzzwords, field vocabulary, & provocative or problematic terms—affecting the arts & culture sector today.

10:00 a.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions: Arts & Culture Field Undercurrents

"Equity & Justice," moderated by Kafi D. Blumenfield
    Sandy Escobedo, The Advancement Project
    Maria Cabildo, East Los Angeles Community Corporation
    Carla Sanger, LA's BEST

"Excellence & Engagement," moderated by Claire Peeps
    Judy Baca, SPARC
    The Honorable Ron Galperin, Controller, City of Los Angeles
    Laura Zucker, Los Angeles County Arts Commission
    Steve Venz, Quincy Jones Elementary School

"Arts Integration & Arts Isolation," moderated by Angie Kim
    Marisa Saunders, UCLA IDEA/Annenberg Foundation
    The Honorable Pam O'Connor, Mayor, Santa Monica
    Zipporah Lax Yamamoto, LA METRO

12:00 p.m.
Networking Lunch (provided)

1:30 p.m.
Research Blitz Pecha Kucha
Quickfire Responses and Report Outs on Recent Research & Initiatives
Featuring Chris Anthony, Catherine Arias, Talia Gibas, Rosalyn Kawahira, Shayna Keller, 
    Karen Mack, Sara Schnadt, and Thor Steingraber

2:30 p.m.
Closing Keynote
The Reverend Dr. Ron David, Hospital of the Good Samaritan/Professor, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Compassion | Healing Trauma | Cellular Connectivity | Community Healing

 3:30 p.m.
Networking Reception
Cash bar with beer & wine, light snacks