Emerging Leaders ArtsVenture to Bend, Oregon!

During the first week of April, twenty members of the University of Oregon’s Emerging Leaders in the Arts Network (ELAN) traveled to Bend, Oregon for ELAN’s third annual ArtsVenture. Each academic year, ELAN arranges a weekend excursion to a city outside of Eugene where members have the opportunity to immerse themselves in an art and culture scene different from their own.

ELAN Members at The Tower Theater

This year ELAN members were fortunate to spend time with arts professionals from five organizations in Central Oregon, including Cate O’Hagan, Executive Director of Arts Central; Erica Boismenu, Office Manager for BendFilm Festival; Elizabeth Quinn, Artist-in-Residence Coordinator for Caldera; Melissa Hochschild, Vice President of Communications at The High Desert Museum; and Shannon Sullivan, Event Services Manager at The Tower Theater.

Through this range of organizations, members had the opportunity to learn about the benefits and challenges of working in rural communities as seen through the eyes of a local arts agency, a film festival, a performing arts center, a museum, and a non-profit focused on youth mentoring and artist residencies.

Meeting with Cate O'Hagan of Arts Central

Each of these organizations provided our members with valuable information pertaining to professional development, as well as valuable networking opportunities each member can utilize as they advance in their studies and career.

If you were unable to attend ArtsVenture, but have an interest in connecting with the organizations visited, please contact any ELAN Leadership Team member or email uoelan@gmail.com.