Emerging Arts Leaders

Our first Creative Conversation from 2007 was a success! Matthew Kwatinetz of CHAC and Frank Chiachiere from The Shunpike moderated a discussion with Michael Seiwerath (Northwest Film Forum), Josh LaBelle (Seattle Theater Group) and Hallie Kuperman (Century Ballroom).

The conversation was very stimulating and covered a broad range of topics, including nonprofit/for-profit models, the challenges of starting a new organization, effective leadership, and ways to achieve long-term sustainability.

Leadership in the arts, our panelists agreed, is a matter of calculated risk-taking. Seiwerath, who took a risk in presenting twenty-six films by a Japanese filmmaker, noted, “Sometimes if you challenge the city, the city will rise to meet you.”

LaBelle added that he ensures the vitality of his company by “making sure your staff is smarter than you are.”

Panelists also noted that sustainability presents a challenge: both achieving it and defining it. Kuperman noted that she finally rested a bit easy when she reached the “million dollar club.”

Approximately 50-60 emerging arts leaders attended the conversation, which was held at the Capitol Hill Arts Center on March 21. The next conversation, “Advocacy in a Changing Market,” will be held on May 23.