We have just returned from New York, where very exciting things are happening. I was there speaking at Last week’s Sidney Krum Conference, which explored the state of cultural and the arts in American Jewish life. I attended dozens of Jewish performances as part of the 3rd annual Oyhoo! New York Jewish Hertiage and Music Festival.I also sat in on the NFJC’s conference to veiled the findings of important its study on the link between Jewish Arts Events and Young Adults. Tee New York UJA-Federation has just unveilved a $1 milliion investment in an exciting incubator for Jewish artists living in NYC. These are vibrant times for Jewish arts and culture, especially if you live in New York City.
Most of us, however, do not. And we sometimes feel left out on the trends or unaware of them at all. As presenters, educators, clergy members, institutional leaders and foremost as cheerleaders and grass-roots organizer of this “stiff-necked people,” our attentions are already stretched by budget reviews, board meetings, and endless demands by our constituents. We’ve got to stay hip with the times, too?
As a Jewish arts presenter in Chicago, our organization understands EXACTLY what you go through everythime you consider arts programming; that is our daily life in a nutshell. We keep an eye and ear toward the trends because that’s our job, and we have event production and promotion expertise that comes with it.
When it comes to the latest in Jewish arts and culture events you sometimes need an expert, an objective opinion. The Oyhoo Festival called on us to speak in that capacity, and we hope you will as well.
