Upcoming Events

Join us October 22-23 in East Lansing for the Fall Gathering at the Wharton Center!

Meet with colleagues from institutions across the state, as we enjoy an opportunity to connect, engage with featured speakers and learn from one another. Cost to join is free for members and $25 for non-members; college and university students are $15. [UPDATE: As of October 19 registration for the conference is now closed.]

Know Before You Go

Comfortable shoes and clothing - our Professional Development will include moving our bodies.
Business Cards
Light layers, as temperatures in the building may fluctuate throughout the day.
A reusable water bottle - a water cooler will be available as part of our effort to reduce waste.
A list of artists that you are considering for your 2024-25 season for our booking discussion.
A wifi-enabled device to view season brochures, resources, and our schedule digitally as part of our effort to reduce paper use at Michigan Presenters events.
Location
- We are gathering on the second floor of the Wharton Center on the Michigan State University Campus in East Lansing. View MSU Campus Map
Arrival
- We will begin networking and coffee at 8:30 a.m., with our official welcome and introductions starting at 9 a.m.
Parking
- Free Parking is available for this event in WhartonCenter/MSU Ramp 3. Accessible Parking is located on the entry-level of the ramp. The Wharton Center is accessible from Level 2 of the ramp.
  
  From the parking ramp, head through the atrium on Level 2, follow the signage directing you to the second floor (elevator and stairs available), and you will see our registration table!

Schedule

Sunday, October 22nd

5:00-8:00 pm Happy Hour @ the Lansing Shuffle Board Club

Monday, October 23rd

8:30-9:00 am Arrival @ The Wharton Center and breakfast

9:00-9:30 am Welcome and Introductions

9:30-11:00 am Keynote Workshop: Reawakening Creativity: Embrace Your Inner Creator
Dominic + Ashley Moore-Dunson, artists and facilitators

11-11:05 am Break

11:05-12:00 pm How to Make the Case for Why The Arts Matter
Kevin Maynard, Executive Director, Quad City Arts

12:00 pm-1:00 pm Lunch

1:00-2:00 pm Struggling Well: From Stress to Strength

Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition Wellness Session with Peggy Sczepanski, RDN, MAPP

2:00-2:15 pm Business Meeting

2:15-2:25 pm Break

2:25-4:00 pm Round Table and Group Discussion sessions

'24-25 booking and routing, discussion by role, burning questions for the field

4:00 pm End of Day or Behind the Scenes Tour of the Wharton Center

Lodging

For those in need of hotel accommodations for Sunday, October 22, a discounted rate is available at Staybridge Suites Lansing-Okemos ($109+ tax/fees). To book, you can click this link, or call 517.347.3044 and refer to Wharton Center.

PD Sessions

Reawakening Creativity: Embrace Your Inner Creator

This keynote workshop, facilitated by Dominic and Ashley Moore-Dunson, aims to help arts administrators foster a deeper connection with their creative selves, empowering them to embody this newfound creativity in their daily lives, and consistently show up as creators in all aspects of their work, including leadership, community, and creative-problem solving. Through interactive activities and movement-based exercises, Dominic and Ashley will provide valuable insights to help participants reconnect with their own creativity, re-discover their innate spark, and uncover a fresh perspective.

Dominic Moore-Dunson, a leadership coach and team facilitator, is an award winning choreographer and nationally recognized community engagement facilitator who uses the transformative process of artmaking to connect with communities. A natural teacher, Dominic brings to life concepts of leadership and team dynamics through movement and physical awareness with clients. Dominic holds a certification in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, is a Human Centered Design Thinking facilitator, and has 10+ years of experience in the field of non-profit arts & culture and environment.

Ashley Moore-Dunson, a certified Leadership and Team Consultant with GiANT Worldwide, has spent the last 10+ years successfully leading teams and projects of all sizes. Ashley received a Bachelor’s degree in Missions and Cross-Cultural Studies from Malone University. With a background in nonprofit leadership and implementing trauma informed care, Ashley is trained in Trust Based Relational Interventions, Conscious Discipline, Positive Behavior Interventions and Support, and Restorative Practices. Ashley uniquely brings the skill of placemaking and creating spaces of psychological safety and belonging. Setting these foundations provides organization with the ability to strategize and cast a cohesive vision.

How to Make the Case for Why The Arts Matter

Arts professionals innately know the value of the arts - how they inspire and lift up individuals and improve quality of life and communities - but can you make the case in front of civic leaders or potential funders when you need to? Arts leader and advocate Kevin Maynard will give a short version of his proven presentation “Why the Arts Matter” and break down how to research and build your own case for supporting the arts, based on goal and audience, so you can develop your own effective go-to materials for advocacy and fundraising.

Kevin L. Maynard is the Executive Director of Quad City Arts in Rock Island, IL. A passionate advocate for the arts with more than 10 years’ experience in arts management and philanthropy, he believes the arts are essential to a healthy community--driving tourism, the economy, and improving our quality of life. Prior to joining Quad City Arts, Maynard served as Executive Director of The Orpheum Theatre in Galesburg, Illinois where he led a successful community campaign to renovate the 100-year-old theatre. Maynard holds a Bachelor of Accountancy and a Master of Business Administration from Western Illinois University. Maynard also serves on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Presenters Network and is a co-host of the No Business Like arts industry podcast.

Struggling Well: From Stress to Strength

Do you know your Strengths Superpowers? In this workshop with Peggy Sczepanski, you will discover how harnessing the power of Character Strengths can have a positive effect in your life. You will learn what your Character Strengths are, the science behind the importance of strengths, and practical tools to bring out strengths in individuals, teams, and organizations. This workshop is interactive and practical!

Peggy Sczepanski RDN, MAPP

My life purpose is to shine bright for my family, inspire others to thrive, and positively contribute to the communities around me. At Dow, I am responsible for managing the operational strategies, systems, and relationships to positively impact the wellbeing of Dow people around the world. Outside of Dow, I love to spend time with my family. I share my passions for healthy living and holistic wellbeing through Coaching and Consulting individuals and community organizations. My educational background is in Exercise Science and Nutrition. I’m a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Health Coach, and Energy Management Trainer. In 2022 I graduated from UPenn with my Masters in Applied Positive Psychology, the science of human flourishing and wellbeing.