Finally, it’s almost here! Thursday, June 16th through Sunday, June 19th will host the premier Saint Louis Arts Project Conference, which will have elements both at the Contemporary Art Museum in Grand Center, the Regional Arts Commission in the Loop, and a nighttime open-studios on Cherokee Street. If you’re interested in the arts and music scenes in St. Louis, you shouldn’t miss out on a weekend of great panel discussions, concerts, breakout sessions, and the chance to further immerse yourself in our city’s burgeoning arts community. Check out SLAP’s website (www.stlartproject.org), and follow their social media for up-to-date info during the event. And: Thursday and Friday are free, and it’s a measly ten bucks total for Saturday and Sunday.
See the official schedule taken from SLAP’s website after the jump, and come see us at the Resource Fair on Saturday!
Thursday, June 16 at Contemporary Art Museum
Free to attend, open to the public and presented in partnership with KDHX and Eleven Magazine.
7:00 PM St. Louis Complaints Choir
The St. Louis Complaint Choir will perform their music compilation of over 200 complaints submitted by local St. Louisans.
8:00 PM Secret Show by Secret Sound Society
In conjunction with Contemporary Art Museum’s Annual Concerts in the Courtyard, Secret Sound Society will present one of their reoccurring “secret shows”. The performers will be kept secret until the night of the show when they step foot on stage.
Friday, June 17 at Regional Arts Commission
Free to attend and open to the public.
7:00 PM Electronic St. Louis
A group of 12 electronic musicians from varying backgrounds will converge in a round-robin for a night of discussion and demonstration. Individual or pairs of artists will have small versions of their studio or live set-up – complete with instruments and gear – at stations that together form a circle formation. Attendees are invited to talk with artists one-on-one and get to know more about their work, gear, technical knowledge, inspiration, style etc.
7:00 PM DIY Art Workshop
A six step informational print demonstration will be set-up to give attendees a comprehensive overview of the screen printing process. Attendees can learn how to make a SLAP notebook that can be used in the following days of the conference for note taking. There will also be several print shops in attendance as informational resources with opportunities to sign-up for print, letterpress and design classes.
9:15 PM Current: Collaborative Electronic Music Performances
All participants from Electronic St. Louis will perform dynamic, collaborative pieces that will showcase today’s musical skill and innovation in a city known for its vibrant musical tradition. Performances will feature: 18andCounting, Jay Fay, Kevin Harris, members of So Many Dynamos, Syna So Pro, Loose Screwz, Eric Hall, Black Spade and Ben Stein from The Loud Outfit.
Saturday, June 18 at Regional Arts Commission
There is a $10 registration fee to attend both Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19.
10:00 AM DIY Pioneers
Moderator: Diana Benanti
Panelists: David Wolk, Kevin Harris, David Early, Galen Gondolfi
A look at the stories, inspiration and people behind influential independent venues that exhibit local, regional and national artists. Also, the panel will discuss what role these venues play on a local and national level in the community.
10:00 AM Found Art/ Re-worked STL
Moderator: Amy VanDonsel
Panelists: Michael Allen, Jenny Murph, Nita Turnage
Inspired by the St. Louis urban landscape, these artists incorporate elements of the city into their work – both literally and figuratively. The discussion will focus on their unique relationship with the city and how it shapes and influences creative endeavors.
11:15 AM A How To Guide: Advice for Planning DIY Events
Moderator: James McAnally
Panelists: Jason Deem, Josh Levi, Jessie Cerutti
Three experienced event planners will share an overview of their knowledge, experience and the most helpful tips they’ve learned planning a variety of DIY events – concerts, festivals, art exhibitions, fundraisers, etc. Topics will focus on the mechanics of executing DIY events and empower audience members with practical insight and advice.
11: 15 AM Creative Community Engagement
Moderator: Claire Wolff
Panelists: Emily Hemeyer, Regina Martine, Ruby Streate
A look at how individuals and groups actively contribute to the social and cultural fabric of St. Louis through innovative community engagement practices. This will be a convening of a broad range of panelists discussing their own explorations of the work they are doing within communities and local institutions. The conversation will reflect upon the social relevance of art, and how it can be used as a tool for social inclusion and cohesion, cultural community building and civic engagement.
11: 15 AM Musician Artist Talk with Rich O’ Donnell
Mr. O’Donnell will lead a conversation on “Rhythms Seldom Heard”: Polymetrics, Moire Patterns, Swarming and Conversational Rhythms” with live music demonstrations.
12:15 PM Lunch and Resource Fair
The Resource Fair will connect conference attendees with art organizations that offer volunteer opportunities, continuing arts education and developmental resources. Participants include: KDHX, KETC’s Ninevoices, Art St. Louis, VLAA, Studio STL, Eleven Magazine, Openly Disruptive, Art St. Louis, ArtWorks, etc.
2:15 PM A How To Guide: Advice for Local Bands
Moderator: Liz Deichmann
Panelists: Mike Cracchiolo, Aaron Stovall
With only a handful of local music resources to turn to how can bands learn to effectively book tours, publicize, promote and distribute their work? Experienced professionals will share their experience and advice working with local and national musicians on these points. National touring musicians will also share their experience and advice on what they have learned after years of recording, performing and touring in the constantly changing music industry.
2:15 PM Open Forum: _Community Service_
Kaveh Razani and Stan Chisholm (18andCounting) of Lane 4 will lead an open discussion on the issues and challenges that face artists, community builders and audiences in St. Louis. Please come prepared to participate in the discussion.
2:15 PM Visual Artist Talk with Sarah Paulsen
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM Open Studios on Cherokee Street
A night of open galleries, art spaces, live music, fun and so much more in the vibrant Cherokee Street neighborhood.
Sunday, June 19 at Contemporary Art Museum
There is a $10 registration fee to attend both Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19.
12:00 PM Visual Artist Talk with Keith Buchholz
2:45 PM Multi-media Artist Talk with Sleepy Kitty
1:30 PM Community Discussion
An open discussion lead by Roseann Weiss to reflect on concepts and themes of the conference, as well as, how to implement these ideas through community engagement.
2:30 PM Closing Reception
