Intersections

Registration

7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. | AC Symphony Hotel Conference Area

Keynote — Creating Wellbeing: Reimagining Art’s Role in Health, Healing, and Community Change

8:30–10:30 a.m. | Crescendo ABC

Creative and art experiences improve health and well-being by helping people express themselves, connect with others, and find relief from stress and trauma. From students to older adults, the arts play a powerful role in healing.  

So, we’re starting the day with a performance by 2026 Nevada Heritage Fellow Harold Akyeampong, followed by a presentation by Dr. Tasha Golden. 

The science is clear: the arts don’t just move us emotionally; they measurably impact our mental health, social connections, and overall well-being. In this keynote, Golden reveals how artists, arts educators, and arts organizations can become vital partners in community health while expanding their relevance, reach, and support. 

Drawing on both scientific evidence and her unique career journey, Golden presents a clear and compelling framework for understanding the arts’ impacts on well-being at multiple levels — from individual experiences to broader social change. She shares insights from her research on arts and health, including the growing “arts on prescription” movement that formally integrates arts and healthcare — and what it could mean for Nevada. 

She challenges attendees to question assumptions about what they do, where their work “belongs,” and how it matters. Attendees will leave with a transformative vision for how they can challenge limiting narratives, reimagine their role in their communities, and create partnerships that reveal and expand their value — all while fulfilling their artistic mission.

Nevada Arts Council Grants Team Office Hour

10:45–11:45 a.m. | Crescendo E

The Grants Team will be available for one-on-one questions about any aspect of Nevada Arts Council grants, including specific programs, applications, budgets, management, final reporting, or other areas of concern. Preregistration is not necessary, and all questions will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

Leadership Forum – Arts in Health Initiatives

10:45–11:45 a.m. | Contralto

Arts organizations are using the arts to support health and well‑being. This session encourages arts leaders to share how they are tackling Arts in Health from big-picture strategies to hands-on programming. You’ll hear about creative projects happening now and the types of leaders are hoping to launch in the future.

What Works — Marketing: Building a Personal Brand for Individual Artists Workshop (Part 1)   

10:45–11:45 a.m. | Baritone

A strong personal brand helps artists stand out and connect with the right audiences. In this workshop, explore approaches for defining your artistic identity and building a brand that resonates with the people most likely to engage with your work. Through practical examples from working artists, learn how storytelling, messaging, and strategic communication can increase visibility and strengthen audience connections. 

Speakers: Diane R. Scott and Eepi Chaad

Intergenerational Mentorship in Rural Communities and Boards

10:45–11:45 a.m. | Tenor

Across Nevada, mentorship often happens in unexpected places. Artists learn from students. Elders share stories with innovators. Curiosity and experience meet, and something powerful begins. Join the conversation on how giving youth a seat at the table makes your nonprofit board stronger and more sustainable for a growing community, and how bridging the gap between generations strengthens the future of the arts. A Q&A will follow the panel presentation.

Speakers: Steve Dudrow and Baylee Spear; Contributor: Carol Scott

Creative Aging Coalition — From Momentum to Movement: Strengthening Creative Aging in Nevada

10:45–11:45 a.m. | Crescendo D

Lifetime Arts is convening Nevada’s Creative Aging Coalition for an energizing, action-focused working group session, bringing together cross-sector leaders who are looking to advance creative aging (arts engagement with older adults) in their communities. Emily Christensen of the Utah Creative Aging Coalition will share insights from the state’s success over the past several years, including the growth of creative aging initiatives such as the Kaleidoscope Festival, which celebrates older adults’ creativity and raises awareness statewide.

Participants will then move into working groups to map out next steps for Nevada’s two-year-old coalition. The focus will be on expanding programs, increasing funding opportunities, shaping supportive public policy, raising awareness around the impact of creative aging, and building partnerships across the state that connect older adults with meaningful arts experiences.

Speakers: Gahlia Eden, Emily Christensen, and Antonia Perez

Lunch & Learn — Discover Nevada’s Shared Guiding Star

Noon–1:30 p.m. | Crescendo ABC

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the Nevada Arts Council rebrand process with their marketing agency, Estipona Group—from strategy and storytelling to accessibility and visual identity. More than a new logo, the project reimagined how the Nevada Arts Council connects with artists, communities, educators, and organizations across the state. The session will explore the research, creative process, and collaborative thinking behind the new brand system. 

Learn how thoughtful branding can help organizations communicate more clearly, build trust, and create stronger communities across diverse audiences.

Speakers: Stephanie Mazza and Tony Manfredi

Nevada Arts Council Grants Team Office Hour

1:45–2:45 p.m. | Crescendo E

The Grants Team will be available for one-on-one questions about any aspect of Nevada Arts Council grants, including specific programs, applications, budgets, management, final reporting, or other areas of concern. Preregistration is not necessary, and all questions will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

Leadership Forum — State of the Arts (Part 1)

1:45–2:45 p.m. | Contralto

Join us for an open conversation about the state of the arts and creative industry. We’ll talk about what arts-focused organizations are facing today—from funding pressures to shifts in the arts industry. Where is your organization finding opportunities to best serve your community? Where are you finding opportunities for collaboration? How are you leading change for improvement – in your programming, fundraising, staffing, and board development?

What Works — Marketing: Building a Personal Brand for Individual Artists Workshop (Part 2)   

1:45–2:45 p.m. | Baritone

A strong personal brand helps artists stand out and connect with the right audiences. In this workshop, explore approaches for defining your artistic identity and building a brand that resonates with the people most likely to engage with your work. Through practical examples from working artists, learn how storytelling, messaging, and strategic communication can increase visibility and strengthen audience connections. 

Speakers: Diane R. Scott and Eepi Chaad

The Art of Smarter Marketing

1:45–2:45 p.m. | Tenor

In this session, you will gain practical, low-cost marketing, PR, and social media strategies for small arts organizations and artists. Explore how to use simple tools, stronger systems, and creative outreach to save time and grow visibility. Learn how to focus on the marketing efforts that have the biggest impact, while discovering helpful resources for doing more—when hiring extra staff is not an option.

Speaker: Allison Monette-Cordova

Drum Circle Workshop: Ghana’s Ceremonial Traditions & Selected Drum Suites

1:45–2:45 p.m. | Crescendo ABC

Step into the rhythm, history, and spirit of West Africa in this immersive, hands-on drum circle exploring ceremonial traditions from Ghana. Participants will be guided through selected traditional drum suites, gaining insight into how rhythm functions as language, storytelling, and community connection within Ghanaian culture.

Facilitated by master teaching artist Harold Akyeampong—President of the Percussive Arts Society, Ghana chapter and recipient of the Nevada Heritage Award—this session blends cultural education with interactive music-making. Attendees will learn foundational rhythms, call-and-response patterns, and the cultural significance behind each piece.

While you may bring a drum if you have one, this workshop is designed for all experience levels—no prior drumming experience necessary. Join us for a powerful, energizing experience that celebrates heritage, community, and the universal language of rhythm. 

Speaker: Harold Akyeampong

Inclusive Design & Accessibility for Older Adult Learners

1:45–4 p.m. | Crescendo D

Older adults come to creative aging programs with a rich mix of learning styles, life experiences, and cognitive abilities. This interactive session equips teaching artists—whether experienced in creative aging or new to the field—with fresh, inclusive approaches to designing arts experiences to meet the needs and interests of their students.

Grounded in core creative aging principles, you’ll leave with practical tools to adapt your curriculum, refine your facilitation, and meet a wide range of learner needs. Along the way, we’ll explore strategies that foster meaningful social connection and build strong partnerships that support participant success—so your programs don’t just check the boxes; they build lasting impact. This training will be of particular interest to teaching artists.

Speakers: Gahlia Eden and Antonia Perez

Leadership Forum — The Key to Successful Succession and Emergency Planning

1:45–2:45 p.m. | Contralto

As you guide your organization’s evolution with substance and purpose for your community, this  60-minute workshop will empower you to maintain control of everything you’’ve built. By taking necessary steps to guide and empower your successor, you ensure continued growth and evolution. 

One of the most critical responsibilities of an executive director is to have a robust succession plan in place to protect the foundation you have tirelessly built. Knowing that this essential step provides both power and peace of mind is crucial and will help you safeguard your nonprofit organization’s future.

Speaker: Corey Fagan

Grant Writing Fundamentals with the Nevada GrantLab 

3–4 p.m. | Crescendo E

Join Nicole Bomer, Director of Grant Services at the Nevada GrantLab, for a session on grant writing best practices. Whether you’re writing grants as an individual artist or on behalf of an entity like a nonprofit or public institution, this session will strengthen and refine your grant-writing skills for a more impactful result. 

Speaker: Nicole Bomer

What Works — Money: Money Management and Budgeting for Individual Artists Workshop (Part 1)

3–4 p.m. | Baritone

Building a thriving art practice requires more than creativity. It requires a financial strategy. This workshop introduces practical tools for managing money as an independent artist, including budgeting, tracking income and expenses, and planning for multiple revenue streams. Participants will also learn strategies for managing and tracking uneven or irregular income, a common reality for working artists. Leave with practical tools and greater confidence to manage the financial side of your creative practice.

Speakers: Diane R. Scott and Eepi Chaad

Professionalism & Reliability in the Arts

3–4 p.m. | Tenor

Talent might get you noticed, but it takes more to sustain your career. In this session, Ashley Singleton will break down the drivers of success in the arts, including professionalism, consistency, and trust. Through real-world insight and candid storytelling, she’ll discuss how strong communication, reliability, and presence shape lasting opportunities. Attendees will walk away with practical tools to elevate how they show up and build a reputation that opens doors. This session is for artists ready to turn potential into momentum.

Speaker: Ashley Singleton

Grant Writing Fundamentals with the Nevada GrantLab

4:15–5:15 p.m. | Crescendo E

Join Nicole Bomer, Director of Grant Services at the Nevada GrantLab, for a session on grant writing best practices. Whether you’re writing grants as an individual artist or on behalf of an entity like a nonprofit or public institution, this session will strengthen and refine your grant-writing skills for a more impactful result. 

Speaker: Nicole Bomer

Leadership Forum — State of the Arts (Part 2)

4:15–5:15 p.m. | Contralto

This conversation continues the ideas from State of the Arts Part 1 and other sessions you have attended and concludes with how the Arts Council can better support you through funding, workforce development, partnerships, and networking opportunities.

What Works — Money: Money Management and Budgeting for Individual Artists Workshop (Part 2)

4:15–5:15 p.m. | Baritone

Building a thriving art practice requires more than creativity. It requires a financial strategy. This workshop introduces practical tools for managing money as an independent artist, including budgeting, tracking income and expenses, and planning for multiple revenue streams. Participants will also learn strategies for managing and tracking uneven or irregular income, a common reality for working artists. Leave with practical tools and greater confidence to manage the financial side of your creative practice.

Speakers: Diane R. Scott and Eepi Chaad

Building Stronger Boards That Work for Your Organization

4:15–5:15 p.m. | Tenor

Strong boards are intentionally built and continuously developed. This session offers a practical framework to strengthen board effectiveness in arts and culture nonprofits. Participants will explore board structure and recruitment, onboarding and culture, and strategies for assessment and ongoing development. Core governance concepts, including the Duties of Care, Loyalty, and Obedience, are introduced alongside the full board lifecycle from recruitment through retention.

Speaker: Kylie Howard

Community Festivals: Organizations and Benefits

4:15–5:15 p.m. | Crescendo D

Have you considered putting together a festival to showcase your community’s traditions and heritage? Join experts from the Japanese Festival Association and Western Folklife Center. They’ll talk about their signature events, Aki Matsuri and the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, the work that goes into them, and the benefits they see in their communities.

Speakers: Callie Greenhaw, Jeff Winchester, and Mayumi Coffman

Dinner on your own

5:30–6:45 p.m.

Enjoy the culinary arts around Las Vegas, particularly around the Arts District. Find our suggestions at NVartscouncil.org/Intersections

Evening reception with Slonina ARTSpace

7–9 p.m. | Slonina ARTSpace

Revel in an evening of creativity and conversation at Slonina ARTSpace. Located in downtown Las Vegas, this art studio/gallery provides open studios on the second Saturday of each month. The space supports a range of projects, from fine art and murals to body painting, publishing, and collaborative work across the city. The studio maintains an evolving circle of resident artists and collaborators.

This event is sponsored by Slonina ARTSpace, located at 901 Fremont St., No. 174, Las Vegas, NV 89101.