Flashback 2018

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, break down tables and chairs, take down signage and pack up tables and chairs.