On behalf of the Emerging Leaders in the Arts Network (ELAN) of the University of Oregon, I would like to welcome you to the Arts and Administration Masters program! As the current representative for the 2010-2011 school year, I am excited to tell you about some of the dynamic and engaging events we are planning for our students and the community of Eugene this year.
First, I would like to give you a little information about ELAN and what we are. Inspired by the Americans for the Arts (AFTA) affiliated Emerging Leaders Network, the ELAN chapter was started at the University of Oregon a year ago in order to better focus the existing student organization of the Arts and Administration program. ELAN’s affiliation with Americans for the Arts also affords the students of AAD numerous opportunities to become involved with various national arts advocacy efforts and networking opportunities.
During the 2009-2010 school year, ELAN created opportunities for the students of AAD and the community of Eugene to participate in civic engagement and community dialogue. This past year we were lucky to work with numerous scholars, advocates and artists such as Adam Hutler of Fractured Atlas, the Arts and Business Alliance of Eugene (ABAE) and many others, to bring engaging forums to our students.
ELAN planned and implemented the annual Americans for the Arts Creative Conversations where AAD students and community leaders discussed relevant issues pertaining to the partnerships between arts and business.
We also held a very successful fundraiser, Beats and Brushstrokes, which we are looking forward to again this coming year. But we aren’t all business all the time; ELAN planned a fun and exciting (and informative) weekend trip to Portland in April for all AAD students to enjoy.
Our current ELAN team is dedicated to continuing the efforts set forth by our founding members to provide our students with relevant forums dealing with professional development, networking, fundraising and general exploration of the arts and culture in the Pacific Northwest.
As you begin your graduate career through the Arts and Administration program we look forward to getting to know each and every one of you and hope that you become an active participant in this model student organization. Please be sure to check out the rest of this blog, where you can find more information on our ELAN leadership team, upcoming events and opportunities to become involved.
See you soon!
Sincerely,
Patricia Morales
2010-2011 Representative, ELAN
P.S. We are interested in finding a motivated first year student to join our leadership team for the 2010-2011 school year. As we finalize the “job description,” we will post this information to our blog and send you an email, so be on the lookout!