Mark the calendar! The Arkansas Arts Council will hold the annual statewide arts conference, ArtLinks, on Monday and Tuesday, October 27-28, 2003, at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. The theme of ArtLinks 2003 is "Vision, Strength and Artistic Expression". ArtLinks 2003 will look at effective ways all members of each community can overcome barriers in cultural arts and education programs. The pre-conference statewide forum on October 27, "Art With No Barriers," will explore current perceptions about involving people with disabilities in the arts. The follow-up roundtable discussions will explore practical strategies for inclusion.
The Artlinks 2003 conference on October 28 will offer concurrent workshops during the day within tracks suggested by the Very Special Arts ideals of vision, strength and artistic expression.
The keynote speaker is John D. Kemp, president and CEO of HalfthePlanet Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports the application of technology to promote independent living, social inclusion, equality of opportunity, economic self-sufficiency and empowerment.
Sessions of interest to early childhood, special education and classroom teachers will be included as part of the 2-day conference agenda, and in accordance with district's policy the attendees may receive 9 professional development credit hours for attending.
Price of the conference: Full conference - $140; Monday pre-conference only - $50; Tuesday conference only - $100; Governor's Arts Awards luncheon - $40.
For more information or to request a registration form, call the Arkansas Arts Council at 501-324-9766 or (TDD) 501-324-9811, or email the Arts Council at info@arkansasheritage.org. Registration forms are also available on the web site at www.arkansasarts.com.