Program 

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Check-In, Breakfast & Networking

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

New Legislative Session, New Vision for the Arts & Our Advocates

Fiona Bond, Texans for the Arts Board President

Chris Kiley, Executive Director Texans for the Arts 

10:00 AM – 10:20 AM

Texas Commission on the Arts: Priorities & Opportunities for the Arts in Texas

Dr. Gary Gibbs, Executive Director, Texas Commission on the Arts

10:20 AM – 10:40 AM

Texas Cultural Trust: Supporting Your Storytelling with Meaningful Data

Heidi Marquez-Smith, CEO Texas Cultural Trust

10:40 AM – 11:00 AM

In the Heart of Texas by Gregory Kasunich and Lauren Noll

How the arts catalyze our cultural tourism and a screening of the Waco Deep In the Heart Film Festival’s award winning short film.

11:00 AM – 11:15 AM

Networking Break!

11:15 AM – 12:30 PM

Turning Ideas into Action: PANEL/Q&A

Examples of successful relationship-building, advocacy, and community tactics that will work in any community across the state.

Moderator:

Fiona Bond, Texans for the Arts, Creative Waco

Panelists:

Lily Cabatu Weiss, Dallas Arts District

Claudia de Vasco, Miller Outdoor Theatre

Shannon Ghangurde, Texans for the Arts

Dietrich Johnson, City of Longview

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

Lunch

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Keynote Presentation: The Superpowers of the Arts

How to talk about the arts and use cutting edge data in powerful ways to funders, decisionmakers, and the media.

Randy Cohen, Vice President of Research, Americans for the Arts

Dr. Genna Styles-Lyas, Director of Community Engagement & Equity, Americans for the Arts.

3:00PM – 3:10 PM

Networking Break & Special Dance Performance

Hannah Requa, Director, 254 Dance Fest

3:10 PM – 4:30 PM

Artificial Intelligence, Intellectual Property & Other New Technology: What do Arts Advocates Need to Know?

As legislators start to make decisions on generative AI, what does the arts sector need to know in order to be ready to protect  intellectual property and the creative process? How do we make the most of the opportunities created by this new technology, while protecting our work?

Your chance to hear from experts, from the arts legal and technology sectors. 

With Oraichain Labs and Munck Wilson Mandala 

Moderator:

Chris Kiley, Texans for the Arts

Panelists:

Connie Powell Nichols, Munk Wilson Mandala, Baylor University

Julia Morton, AI + Art

Tyree Robinson, Oraichain Labs

-PROGRAM ADJOURNMENT-

4:45 PM

Complimentary Trolley Tour of Waco Cultural District

The Waco Trolley

Enjoy a tour of the Waco Cultural District with a special stop at Falcon & Owl Gallery for aperitifs!

Space is limited* Sign up for your spot on the tour at the check-in desk Thursday morning!

6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Texans for the Arts Advocacy Awards & Dinner

Join us to honor champions from across the state and recognize their dedication to cultivating unwavering public commitment to the arts!