East Harlem Arts Symposium May 17-- 1-4pm

State Senator Jose M. Serrano, Manhattan Community Board 11, Art for Change presents
East Harlem Arts Symposium
Saturday, May 17th 2008 from 1 to 4 p.m.
The Reece School, 25 East 104th (Madison and 5th Aves.)

AGENDA

1:05 to 1:15 p.m. - Intro Remarks by Senator Serrano, Board Chair Robert Rodriguez, and Art for Change

1:15 to 2:45 - Opening Plenary Session :

"Celebrating the Historic Role Played by the Arts in Defining the East Harlem we Know Today"

Moderator/Opening Speaker:

Yasmin Ramirez, Hunter College Center for Puerto Rican Studies

Panelists:

- Marta Moreno Vega, Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Insitute

- Tato Torres, Yerba Buena

- Judith Escalona, Director PR Dream

- Marcos Dimas, Founder of Taller Boricua

Ms. Ramirez will deliver an opening address on East Harlem's diverse and under-documented history of cultural production. Panelists will represent a variety of artistic mediums and disciplines. Each panelist will be provided 5 to 10 minutes to share their experience, and also their ideas and dreams for the expansion of the arts and culture in East Harlem. Ms. Ramirez will moderate the Plenary Session, as well as questions from the audience, followed by closing remarks from Ms. Vega.


2:50 to 4:00 p.m. -Break-Out Session for Individual/Freelancing Artists:
"Discovering Resources, Fostering Connections"

Moderator:

Robert Rodriguez, Chair of Manhattan Community Board 11

Panelists:

- Jennifer Wright Cook, Executive Director, The Field

- Andreia Davies, Immigrant Outreach Coordinator, NYFA

- Manny Vega, Visual/Public Artist

- INVITED: Center for an Urban Future

Each panelist will be provided 5 to 10 minutes in opening remarks to discuss the mission of their organization, as well as programs and resources available therein, and/or their efforts to help artists and freelancers develop strategies for success in New York's creative economy. This will be followed by a moderated question-and-answer discussion with member of the audience. The moderator will be sure to direct questions to the appropriate panelist.

2:50 to 4:00 p.m. - Break-Out Session for Small Arts Organizations:

"Capacity-Building Strategies for the 21st Century"

Moderator:

Senator José M. Serrano

Panelists:

-Stephen Falla Riff, Esq.,Community Development Project,The Legal Aid Society

- Melissa Thornton, Chief Government Relations Officer, Lincoln Center

- Maureen Knighton, Senior VP of Program and Non-Profit Investments (likely representative), Upper Mahattan Empowerment Zone:

- Margaret Morton, Deputy Commissioner, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs

Each panelist will be provided 5-10 minutes in opening remarks to discuss the mission of their organization, and the resources and programs they offer. This will be followed by a moderated question-and-answer discussion with member of the audience. The moderator will be sure to direct questions to the appropriate panelist.

4:05 to 4:15 p.m. - Closing Remarks

Senator Serrano and Chair Rodriguez will provide a quick summation of their respective break-out sessions, deliver a call-to-arms for the creative community in East Harlem and the city at large, and remind everyone about the Street Festival the next day on East 106th Street from Noon to 5 p.m.

For more information or to RSVP: erivera.nys@gmail.com or call (212) 828-5829