2007 International Conference of Opportunities for Artists
TransCultural Exchange Hosts Ambitious Boston Conference
By: Charles Giuliano - Apr 27, 2007
Several hundred delegates and presenters gathered on Friday evening, of April 27, to register at the Student Center of Boston's Northeastern University for "The 2007 Conference: International Opportunities for Artists" that continues through the weekend.
Because of dense fog at Logan International Airport, Mary Sherman, director of the TransCultural Exchange, and the heart and soul of the conference, while introducing the many international presenters during an kickoff reception, updated the estimated time of arrival of some of the delayed individuals and announced subtle changes in the programming for the next two days of multiple meetings that start at 9 AM and run through 6 PM in several locations on the campuses of Northeastern University and the Massachusetts College of Art. During the time slots there are are generally up to three simultaneous panels so many individuals were studying the program and slotting in sessions they planned to attend.
The intention of the conference is to provide networking and information regarding the many international programs sponsoring artist residences in Europe, the Far East, the US and Canada. The programs vary with some geared to emerging artists and many involve particpating in interaction with local schools and arts organizations including teaching, workshops and exhibitions. There are sessions that focus on short term residences from one to weeks as well as others for more prolonged intensive work and research.
Several hundred artists have registered for the confernce including a solid turn out from the Boston area with its many schools and universities. There was an intensive buzz as artists compared insights about the range of sessions offered and the opportunities for one on one mentoring sessions with directors and representatives of many of the international residence programs. While many of the artists are seeking opportunities abroad, during dinner, we talked with Fritzie Brown, senior program director of CEC Arts Link, and her friend, Wendy Newton, senior program associate of Trust for Mutual Understanding, both based in New York, who work on both ends of exchanges and are active in bringing Eastern Europeans for residences in America.
One of the ambitions of this conference is to explore creating residence programs for international artists with Boston based universities and cultural institutions.
A highlight of the confernces will entail "Biennials and Documenta" on Sunday afternoon from 1 to 3 at the Kresge Auditorium of MIT moderated by Francine Miller, the head of the New England branch of AICA, with a panel including Linda Norden, American Commissioner, 2005 Venice Biennale, Uta Meta Bauer, co curator, Documenta 11, Yung Ho Chang, Venice Bienalle Participant, Talal Moualla, Cordinator of the International Symposium in association with the Sharjah Biennial (Visual Poetics, 1997).
The conference delegates are also invited to special events and tours of the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Gallery of Mass College of Art, the Newbury Street art galleries, The MIT List Visual Arts Center, the Boston Center for the Arts, Northeastern University and the many events and exhibitions associated with the Cyberarts Festival which overlaps the international conference.
Yes, there's truly something about Mary.