Apply to be a presenter at Break it Down | Make it Better, West Michigan’s longest-running professional development conference for artists and arts workers. Each year, creatives come together to build skills, form connections, and find inspiration in one another’s journeys.
This year’s theme, The Action of Art, explores how artists turn ideas into action through practice, collaboration, experimentation, and community-building. We are seeking proposals that inspire taking action, skill-building, and connection. Click the button below to learn more and apply.
The 12th annual conference took place on Friday, February 28th, 2025.
Its theme was Tool Box TLC: Technology, Lifelong Learning, and Collaboration. The day’s workshops, presentations, and roundtable discussions focused on tools for artists, long-term professional development, and how our arts community can come together to create more collaboration. The conference was generously sponsored by Kendall College of Art and Design and was be held at their historic Woodbridge Building in downtown Grand Rapids. In all 120 artists and arts workers attended the event, the most in eight years.
Opening Panel
New Kids on the Block: A panel discussion of five arts leaders new to their organizations and/or new to Grand Rapids, Cindy Fowly (Grand Rapids Art Museum), Mary (Grand Rapids Ballet), Suzanne (Frederik Meijer Gardens), Catlin (ArtPrize), Wardell (The Diatribe).
Session I
• Foundry and Fabrication — Practice, Collaboration, and Production: A panel discussion led by Gabrielle Egnater of GVSU featuring four area sculptors like Jerod Christy (JC), Artist and 3D Technical Supervisor at GVSU.
• How to Become a Creative Leader in Your Community as a Transplant: A presentation by Hollywood trained award-winning filmmaker, critically acclaimed podcaster and comedian Virginia Anzengruber.
• Collage in Community — The Game!: A workshop by artist Chelsea Lake Roberts
• Artmaking as a Daily Practice: A presentation by artists John Jurries and Ryan Crawley.
• Navigating Creative Goals Alongside Parenting: A dialogue between artists Hailey Johnson and Emily Mayo
• Pitching 101 — How to Land Big Bylines to Build Your Writer Platform: A presentation and workshop by writer Elle Warren
Session II
• When You Stop Making Things for Fun, Your Art Might As Well Be Dead: A presentation by artist John Donavon
• Transformational Growth — The Case for Mentorship: A workshop by artists Lora Robertson and Scoob.
• Media Management for Creative Professionals Part 1: A presentation by Matt Patulski
• From Maker to Markets —How to Start Selling Art at Artisan Markets – A: A step-by-step guide by artist Jenny Hearns
• From Scarcity to Strength — Identifying Your Creative Identity: A workshop by artist Jarran Fountain
• Centering Community Transformation: A panel discussion led by Monk Mattheus, Head of Culture for the Center of Community Transformation
Session III
• Studio Without Walls —Healing Through Art: A presentation by artist Pamela Alderman
• From Brand to Fans — Building Your Art Business & Selling with Confidence : A dynamic breakout session featuring Susan Coombes, co-owner of Periwinkle Fog and Shyle Lyons, organizer of Merchants and Makers
• Compassionate Collaboration: A panel discussion led by curator Annamarie Buller
• Portrait Making — A Visual Representation of Who You’re Becoming: A workshop by Jill Vyn and Emerson Antcliff
• Abstract Expressionism in the Contemporary World: A workshop by artist Merima Smajlovic
• Media Management for Creative Professionals Part 2: A presentation by Matt Patulski
The Day’s Schedule
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM Speed Dating
9:45 AM – 10:15 AM Check in
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM Opening Remarks and Keynote Panel
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM Breakout Session Block #1: Six locally-led roundtables, workshops, panels and presentations
12:30 PM – 1:15 PM Catered Lunch
1:15 PM – 1:30 PM Dance in the Annex Performance
1:45 PM – 2:30 PM Breakout Session Block #2: Six locally-led roundtables, workshops, panels and presentations
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM Happy Hour Continue the day’s conversations at a complimentary happy hour hosted by AllArtWorks in their viewing studio at 333 Cesar Chavez Ave.
The 12th annual Break It Down | Make It Better is back on Friday Febuary, 28 from 9:45am–4pm. This year’s conference is generously hosted by Kendall College of Art & Design.
The 11th annual conference was on Friday, March 22nd, 2024.
The theme was Momentum and focused on keeping the current moment of creative energy in Grand Rapids moving strongly into the future. The conference was generously sponsored by Kendall College of Art and Design and took place at their historic Woodbridge Building in downtown Grand Rapids.
Opening Panel
Momentum: A Panel discussion on how to find and sustain creative success with Michele Bosak (KCAD, Standard Space), Spencer Everhart (GR Film Society, GVSU), Two Eagles Marcus (Independent Artist), Rachel Winter (MSU Broad Museum)
Session I
• Support Needed – Addressing Gaps in What Artspaces Can Provide Artists: A Roundtable by John Fenton of AllArtWorks
• Your Desktop is A Mess – Digital Media Management for Creative Professionals: A Presentation by Matthew Patulski
• Kickstart Your Creative Practice with an Artist Residency: A Presentation by Artist Kristin Casaletto
• Think Like an Artist. Work Like a Contractor: A Presentation by Artist Ryan Crawley
• Creative Being: A Clay Workshop by Artist Kate Lewis
Session II
• Mastering Social Media as an Artist: A Presentation by Shyle Lyons
• Evolve By Staying Involved: A Roundtable Discussion on Engaging One’s Community as an Artist by City of Marquette Staff Member Amelia Pruiett
• Make Your Own Momentum: A Presentation by Lifelong Artist Mary Jane Pories
• Make Stupid Art: A Workshop by Sage Johnston and Sarah Schafer
• Keep Your Creativity Flowing: A Workshop by Jessica Wolfbird (AKA Jessica in the Rainbow)
Session III
• Grant Writing and Project Proposals for Artists – From Practical Tips to Leveraging AI: A Presentation by Eric Souther of Western Michigan University
• Leadership on the Spectrum – Five years of Little Space Studio by Founder Alysha Lach White
• Art Festival Crash Course: A Presentation by Artists Tyler and Ashley Voorhees
• Walk It Out: A Mindful Walking Workshop by Artist Katie Brewer
The Day’s Schedule
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Check in
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM Opening Remarks and Keynote Panel
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM Breakout Session Block #1: Six locally-led roundtables, workshops, panels and presentations
12:30 PM – 1:15 PM Lunch
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM Breakout Session Block #2: Six locally-led roundtables, workshops, panels and presentations
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM Breakout Session Block #3: Six locally-led roundtables, workshops, panels, and presentations
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM Final Remarks & Dance in the Annex Performance
4:30 PM – 7:00 PM Happy Hour Continue the day’s conversations at a complimentary happy hour hosted by AllArtWorks in their viewing studio at 333 Cesar Chavez Ave.
The tenth year of Break It Down | Make It Better was Friday, March 24, 2023. It took place at the historic Federal Building and kicked off with a keynote presentation by George Bayard III, founder and director of the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives (GRAAMA).
Following the keynote was be a day of breakout sessions, food, a dance performance by Dance in the Annex, and a happy hour. The days sessions took the form of presentations, roundtables, panel discussions, and workshops on the topics of professional skills building and the conference’s theme, creative placemaking, a practice in which the arts are used to strengthen communities.
Check out the day’s sessions and schedule below:
Creative Placemaking Roundtables, Presentations, and Panel Discussions
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM Keynote Panel Discussion A discussion between regional arts leaders on the themes of creative placemaking: getting artists, arts workers, and arts organizations out of their silos, collaborating with others, and embracing the neighborhoods and regions around them.
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM Happy Hour Happy hour will open with a dance performance by Dance in the Annex followed by refreshments and a chance to mix and mingle. In addition, it will feature tabling by regional arts organizations so that conference guests can learn more about what they do and how to get involved.
The 8th annual Break it Down | Make it better was held on March 4th from 12:30 to 5:30 at Little Space Studio in downtown Grand Rapids.
The conference is an educational event that promotes lifelong learning and strengthening local connections among West Michigan creatives.
It kicked off with a panel discussion of new creative businesses including The DAAC, The Stray, and Cultivate.
Following the panel were two rounds of five different breakout sessions. These are aimed to help attendees gain needed skills and knowledge, giving them the opportunity to attend roundtables, panels and workshops from the following topics:
Marketing for Artists • Local Grant Info Session • Smash that Creative Block• Publishing for Artists • Fostering Accessibility in the Arts • How to Form an Art Collective • Music Labels vs. Staying Independent • Art As Labor: Make Sure You Get Paid • NFTs •
The afternoon concluded with a networking happy hour complete with pizza from Mitten Brewing Co.
For the 7th Break It Down | Make It Better, we went virtual! This year’s event kicked off on March 11th and was reinterpreted as three weekly online talks. Missed the conference? You can watch our March 11 session here.
A panel discussion of arts leaders speaking on the current state of art affairs in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Together they will explore what is working in Grand Rapids and where artists can invest time, energy, and funds to make the city better for creatives of all stripes. Questions for the panel will be gathered from the audience during the Week 1, 2, and 3 sessions.
Break it Down | Make it Better 2020 was a half-day skill-building conference taking place on February 21st from 12:30–5:30 p.m. at Little Space Studio. The afternoon kicked off with a keynote panel about the state of the creative community in Grand Rapids where we discussed how we can grow stronger together.
Featuring :
Jenn Schaub (moderator): Co-director of Community Building & Engagement at Dwelling Place, Artist
Natalie Wetzel : Art Director, Artist, KCAD Professor, Co-director of The Moon
Kyd Kane : Founder and CEO of Kyd Kane Poetry
Tommy Allen: Rapid Growth Media Publisher, Artist, Longtime Community Advocate
Stephen Smith, M.ed : Owner of Muse GR, GRPS Teacher
Following the panel were two breakout discussions. These aimed to help attendees gain needed skills and knowledge, giving them the opportunity to select from roundtables, panels and workshops from the following topics:
Finding & Applying for Opportunities • Future of Creativity • Local Grant Info Session • Legal Roundtable • Marketing through Digital Tools • Glowing Up After Graduation • Teach What You Know • Authentic Community Dialogue • Collective Creativity •Making Money • Get a Second Date with a Curator
The afternoon concluded with a networking happy hour complete with hors d’oeuvres and music by DJ Joe Moon of Vinyl Fetish.
In lieu of a conference, we created the Break it Down | Make it Better podcast in partnership with WGVU Public Media. It was hosted by Heather Duffy and produced by Rick Bierling. If you’d like to listen, episodes are available on most podcast streaming services.
Break it Down | Make it Better 2018 included over 108 guests and 40 conversation facilitators for a total of 148 participants. Doors opened at 8:30 and kicked off our day with registration and breakfast, and networking. At 9am the morning panel discussion, The Civic Life of an Artist | The Creative Life of the City began in main space. The first set of discussions began at 10:30am, there were 10 discussions to choose from. Discussion formats included:
Workshops – Active sessions featuring participatory learning that require the engagement of attendees.
Roundtables – Facilitated discussions with 10-12 active participants.
Presentations – Knowledge sharing from experts in their fields, with time for participant questions and answers.
From ‘Advocating for City Investment in the Arts’ to ‘Building an Arts Based Business,’ conversation topics were submitted by West Michigan artists, curators, art educators, venue coordinators and creative professionals. Locations, themes and discussion types were shared in a printed program and on door signage and volunteers were on hand to help direct participants to the correct location. There was ten minutes between each session to move to the next location. Sessions were hosted on the main floor and the lower level, which was accessible by stairs and an elevator. Lunch from Tacos El Granjero began at 11:30am and included vegetarian, vegan and meat options. Following lunch there were two more rounds of discussions. The final conversation of the day will be held in the main gallery and all attendees were invited to participate. The day concluded around 3:45 pm. Clean up took place directly after the event, volunteers helped to remove trash, breakdown tables and chairs, take down signage and pack up tables and chairs.
Break it Down | Make it Better 