Join Us at the 3rd Annual Culture Connect Conference
The conference YOU asked for: Strategy, Stewardship, and Storytelling
August 27, 2024 | Utah Cultural Celebration Center
Culture Connect is Utah Cultural Alliance Foundation’s (UCAF) annual professional development conference. Designed to raise the business acumen of arts and cultural administrators across the state, this event is for anyone working in not-for-profit, for-profit, and governmental settings.
This year’s conference will be on August 27 at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center. Please join us in West Valley City for an amazing day of learning and networking to support each other in transforming lives and communities through creative experiences.
Scroll down to find further information on the conference schedule, registration, and award nominations.
Connecting, Cultivating and Creating Opportunities
Conference Schedule
8:45-9:30 Registration
9:30-10:00 Meet Annie DiMartino, UCA Executive Director
10:00-10:15 Participant travel to Break Out Sessions
10:15-11:15 Breakout Sessions | Block 1
Marketing and Communications
Experiential workshop with Alli VanKleeck – Hot Slice Design Studio
Join branding expert Alli VanKleeck of Hot Slice Design Studio for a hands-on experience where you will build a brand pitch for a mock company. Attendees can expect to learn story-telling and strategic planning skills paramount to developing a good brand identity.
Purposeful Partnerships: Cultivating Win-Win Corporate Sponsors
Mighty Penguin Consulting- This will be a joint session led by Anna Habben and Cindy Kindred
Join us for an interactive presentation designed to equip your nonprofit with the strategies and insights needed to build meaningful and mutually beneficial corporate sponsorships. In this session you will learn how to identify potential sponsors, craft a compelling proposal, and build long-term relationships with organizations that share your values.
Shape YOUR tomorrow: Get a Head Start on your NEXT Strategic Plan
Julie DeLong, Pathway Group
Join Pathway Group experts to think about and act on developing your next strategic plan. Start with big-picture overview of key strategic planning phases. Then, participate in small group breakouts with your colleagues to stretch your strategic thinking.
11:15-11:30 BREAK – Do work / catch-up with friends
11:30-12:15 Lunch- Listen and Learn: Tell us what you think about HB257, HB261, HB335, your concerns with statewide arts education funding and more
12:15-1:15 Breakout Sessions | Block 2
Not Another Boring Fundraising Workshop
Olivia Custodio, Sphinx Organization
In this interactive session, attendees will participate in live improvisation and a Q&A with Olivia Custodio to reinforce skills and language necessary to developing relationships and “making the ask” for individual donors.
Just Because You Said It Doesn’t Mean They Heard It: Master Your Messaging
Beth Mitchell, Strategist & Storyteller
In this interactive and practical workshop, we'll cover everything in your communications toolkit. Whether you're an Executive Director or just got your first gig in the industry, whether you have a 3M or $3500-dollar budget -- we know you will leave this session inspired and prepared to harness the transformative power of strategic communications.
Activating Language in your Strategic Plan
Annie DiMartino, Executive Director Utah Cultural Alliance
In this interactive workshop, participants will investigate ways to effectively collaborate on, cultivate and create a living real-time strategic plan.
1:15-1:30 BREAK
1:30-1:45 Utah Arts and Culture Contribution Award
1:45-2:30 Ask Us Anything Panel
Learn from a variety of arts and cultural professionals on any topic you desire. Come ask us anything!
Susan Campbell – Salt Lake City Arts Council
Laura Hurtado, Executive Director, UMOCA
Mariah Mellus, Executive Director Utah Film Center
David Wicai – Board Chair, UCAF (Moderator)
2:30pm-2:45pm Closing Remarks
