Tonight, I went to a discussion on New Art Administration and Fund Development Models at the Capitol Hill Arts Center. Three local arts directors were moderators and the info was good. Its a three part series spawned from a national study that said 60-80% of current arts directors will retire in the next 5 years. I listened, asked, and took copious notes. Here’s 411 on it:

Emerging leaders from 4Culture, the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, the City of Bellevue, Shunpike, Capitol Hill Arts Center, and the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center are hosting a three-part series of forums called Creative Conversations. These information-based forums provide an opportunity for you to interface with the professionals that have helped build the foundation for arts in Seattle.

Emerging leaders from 4Culture, the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, the City of Bellevue, Shunpike, Capitol Hill Arts Center, and the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center are hosting a three-part series of forums called Creative Conversations. These information-based forums provide an opportunity for you to interface with the professionals that have helped build the foundation for arts in Seattle.

Part I Topic:
New Administration and Fund Development Models
Business models for the arts are changing rapidly. We are fast blurring the lines between for-profit and non-profit, artist and audience, arts and entertainment. Join us March 21st for a Creative Conversation with the founders of three innovative companies that are exploring what it means to be a 21st Century arts organization.

Moderators:
Michael Seiwerath, Executive Director, NW Film Forum
Hallie Kuperman, Owner, Century Ballroom
Josh LaBelle, Executive Director, Seattle Theatre Group

They said the next in the series is Wed May 23rd. I should be able to catch it before I leave Seattle.

Tonight, I had dinner with my good friend David and his partner Jeromy. I’ve known him for about 11 years. We met shortly after I got to Seattle. Moving was heavy on my mind. We also gabbed about movies, the genetic lottery, and migration of people through Europe as it was settled. Oh…and the National Geographic DNA ancestor map migration thing.

During the night, I paused. And said, “Its New York City.” I’ve made my choice.

Well…I’ve decided to move! It’s between NYC and San Fran. And I’ve just about decided on New York City.

What am I getting myself into?

I’m not going for a job. And I don’t think I’ll even look for a job for several months. Maybe some part time whatever just to keep me from going crazy during the day. I’ve gotten into some very creative work here in Seattle with Social Living Productions and I’m kinda knocking on talent and an audience that just doesn’t exist here. But it does in those two cities. I’ve always wanted to live in one of those cities. I don’t want to be 50 years old and think coulda/shoulda. So…time for me to move.

I’m going to blog about my journey and exploration wherever I go. I was a blogger back in the mid 90s. Writing each day about crap and my vacation across the US and Europe. I gave it up after a year or two. I think I still have a backup of it on some CD…somewhere. But this is a new journey so I’ma bloggin’ again.