What We're Watching: Kenneth Rainin "Let's Talk" Series
"The Kenneth Rainin Foundation co-hosted the pilot for a new series, 'Let’s Talk,' in partnership with Bay Area artist Beatrice Thomas of Authentic Arts & Media in December. Over fifty artists, arts workers and funders joined us for our first event to examine the central question: what do artists need to thrive? Below I recap the talk and what we learned, and share upcoming session dates for 2023."
"The goal of the “Let’s Talk: What Artists Need To Thrive” series is for the Foundation’s Arts Team to engage in meaningful dialogue and be more accessible and transparent, especially with artists who have historically been unacknowledged by or excluded from philanthropy. We will apply what we learn to improve how we advance equity and support diverse, visionary Bay Area artists."
"With so many virtual offerings available, we wanted to design a series that was additive for the sector. This is why we are collaborating with Beatrice Thomas, an artist and trained facilitator, to develop, host and refine the series. As part of the planning for the pilot, we solicited discussion topics and questions from attendees during registration. We received 52 questions or approximately one question per attendee. This level of engagement speaks to both the creativity and dedication in the arts sector as well as the need for more transparent and equitable funding."
"The next three sessions of “Let’s Talk: What Artists Need To Thrive” will uplift three historically excluded audiences: queer artists, artists with disabilities and Indigenous artists. These events will feature artist panels and question and answer sessions so we can hear directly from artists and those who work in the arts. We will incorporate as many of the attendee questions as time will allow. Based on attendee feedback about the program length, we are scheduling the first session for 90 minutes; the last 30 minutes will convene optional small group breakout rooms."
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Let’s Talk: What Artists Need To Thrive | Tuesday, February 28 at 12–1:30 PM PT
Artist and host Beatrice Thomas will facilitate a conversation with queer artists discussing what they—and all artists—need to thrive in 2023 and beyond. Speakers include artists Snowflake Arizmendi-Calvert, Monique Jenkinson, Marilet Martinez, Jean Melesaine and Mama Celeste aka Grey Tartaglione, and funders Jaime Cortez, William + Flora Hewlett Foundation; and Olivia Malabuyo Tablante, Gerbode Foundation. -
Let’s Talk: What Artists Need To Thrive | Thursday, April 6 at 12 PM PT
Artist and host Beatrice Thomas will facilitate a conversation with artists with disabilities to discuss what they—and all artists—need to thrive in 2023 and beyond. Speakers and program length will be announced in March. -
Let’s Talk: What Artists Need to Thrive | Friday, May 5 at 12 PM PT
Artist and host Beatrice Thomas will facilitate a conversation with Indigenous artists to discuss what they—and all artists—need to thrive in 2023 and beyond. Speakers and program length will be announced in April.