This coming October 10-13, TransCultural Exchange's biennial conference returns to Boston. Since its inception in 1989, the non-profit, spear-headed by artist and pioneer, Mary Sherman, has organized many global exhibition and artist exchanges. The conference has reached its 4th edition, and this past February, TransCultural Exchange launched a new alliance with Boston University's College of Fine Arts.
International Opportunities in the Arts: Engaging Minds, as it's titled, aims to inform artists and facilitate their engagement in global dialogue and activity. Part professional development conference, part networking event, TransCultural Exchange also plans a full weekend of panel talks between Boston-based and international speakers, along with 5 minute Pecha Kucha presentations by residency directors from around the world. The panels range in topic from olfactory art, to sound art, art and science, and an introduction to the residency program at CERN, and art, sustainability, and recycling.
The preceding Thursday and Friday, professional development workshops, led by arts professionals, include portfolio reviews, mentoring, sessions on writing artist statements and grants—the usual but always useful activities expected at an event of this caliber. Some sessions also explore how to launch and fund an artist residency. Evening programs include tours of Boston's cultural institutions like the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum or the Boston Center for the Arts, led by their curators or program managers.
Cocktails, networking lunches, and a closing party, are all organized to provide opportunities for social interaction and networking with the presenters, many of whom have travelled internationally. According to past surveys, 40% of conference attendees received direct, tangible outcomes from their participation, including grants, jobs, invitations to residencies or exhibitions.
The organization recently received non-profit status in Europe, which will facilitate stronger trans-Atlantic partnerships and further funding opportunities. TransCultural Exchange's mission has been to involve artists, and the city, in a global art network and dialogue, leading to concrete opportunities.
Have you participated in the past? What did you think of the conference? Will you attend again?
HOW TO REGISTER:
Early registration, at a reduced price, is now open, and student discounts are significant.
Visit www.transculturalexchange.com
