Creative Nexus Summit

Creative Nexus Summit: Turning Artistic Passion into Entrepreneurial Success

Dates: Friday, May 16, 2025 – Saturday, May 17, 2025
Cost: $50

Included in Ticket Price:  Opening Night Event including complementary  appetizers on May 16th; continental breakfast; lunch; and professional headshot. 

SUMMIT TICKETS HERE

Join us for the culmination of the Creative Nexus series at our summit, a two-day event dedicated to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and professional growth, specifically tailored for BIPOC and LGBTQ artists. This event is a premier networking opportunity and an immersive experience in entrepreneurship and business essentials designed to cater to artists across all disciplines. Participate in panels and workshops covering crucial topics such as business planning, marketing, and collaborative strategies in the arts. Connect with industry leaders and fellow artists who are pioneering inclusive approaches and breaking barriers within the arts industry. The summit celebrates innovation and diversity, equipping you with the tools to thrive in the artistic profession. Enhance your network and career prospects in a dynamic, supportive environment. Come be part of this transformative experience!

Schedule

Day 1 – May 16, 6-9pm 
Cuttin’ Up Art Installation Unveiling & Artist Market 

6-7pm will be a Private Social Hour for Creative Nexus Summit Registrants;  Doors will open for the public at 7:00 PM  

Exhibit Opening:   Cuttin’ Up is an innovative, interdisciplinary art installation by artists Jevon Brown and Amaya Glover.  Inspired by the cultural significance of the barbershop, a long-standing hub for dialogue, mentorship, and community-building, particularly in communities of color , the installation will feature Brown’s original textile designs enhanced by Glover’s barbershop interviews and soundscapes.

Music by DJ Bass God. 

Day 2:
Saturday, May 17, 2025 – 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM 

Summit Event Schedule:

Morning: Grounding and Skill-Building

9:00 – 9:30 AM: Welcome Breakfast & Community Grounding

• Continental breakfast with coffee/tea
• Welcome and introduction to the summit’s goals

9:30 – 10:30 AM: Keynote Presentation
“Art as Activism: Transforming Communities Through Creativity” with Jahman Hill

Jahman Hill, The  Flourish – Jahman Hill is an award winning poet, playwright, professor, filmmaker and executive director of The Flourish Alabama. In 2018, Jahman claimed the title of 3rd-best slam poet in the world. In 2019 he debuted his award-winning one-man show, Black Enough, off-Broadway. In 2021, Hill was awarded the Alabama State Council on the Arts Literary Arts Fellowship in poetry, and debuted his first short film, the award-winning Vanderwaal’s Journey. Hill is the 2023 Soul of the South Award Winner in Writing & Storytelling and a 2024 Southern Artists for Social Change cohort member. His poetry videos have garnered millions of views online. Jahman is a professor at the University of Alabama where he received Master’s degrees in Communication Studies, Women’s Studies and the 2018 Marsha Houston Award for Outstanding Student Work in Social Justice and Diversity. The core of Jahman’s creative work centers around “The Flourish”, or the idea that Black people are infinitely possible beings.

10:45 AM – 12:15 PM: Morning Workshops  – Nuts and Bolts (Choose One)

1. Beyond the Studio: How to Break into Galleries, Museums, and Collector Circle
   • Led by acclaimed artist and gallery owner Alicia Brown, this workshop offers practical strategies for emerging and mid-career artists seeking to navigate the world of galleries, museums, and collectors. Participants will learn how to present their work with confidence, communicate their artistic vision effectively, and build lasting relationships with curators, gallerists, and private collectors. Drawing from her own experience as an internationally exhibited artist and advocate for BIPOC creatives, Alicia will share insider tips on portfolio development, approaching galleries, preparing for exhibitions, and cultivating collectors who believe in your work. This session blends tactical advice with real-world insights, helping artists understand the steps needed to strengthen their visibility and sustainability in today’s art world.
2. Art & Law: Navigating the Legal Landscape for Creatives
   • Join us for an essential workshop designed specifically for artists to understand legal basics to protect their creative work.  From copyright and trademark to contracts and licensing, this workshop will cover the key legal topics every artist needs to know.  This session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to navigate the legal landscape and safeguard your artistic career.  Presented by  Attorney Ama Appiah whose St. Petersburg practice focuses on creative arts & entertainment law, and trademark & copyright law.  In addition to her law practice, Ms. Appiah is the managing partner of a.Appiah Designs, LLC, a fine arts and graphic design business.

Afternoon: Deep Dives and Networking

12:30 – 1:30 PM: Networking Lunch

1:45 – 3:15 PM: Afternoon Workshop – Going Beyond Grants for Artists of Color and LGBTQ+ Artists 

• Join us for a panel that will look closer at how artists who are BIPOC and LGBTQ+ can go beyond grants to more sustainable, regenerative and community-driven options such as crowdfunding, microfinance and earned income strategies.  Springboard for the Arts consultant Candida Gonzalez will moderate the panel featuring: 
  • Mikha Dominguez (aka Mikhamik) is a Queer non-binary Latinx Venezuelan artist based in Minneapolis since 2014. With a background in set design, Mikha’s work explores identity, migration, and resilience. 
  • Anitra Budd is an experienced freelance editor, copywriter, consultant, and public speaker whose clients include Fortune 500 corporations, literary publishers, marketing agencies, universities, and local and national magazines. 
  • Ka Oskar is a multi-disciplinary artist ranging from textile art, murals, installations, and events through the power of culture and identity. They have been a recipient of McKnight, Jerome, Forecast, MRAC, MSAB, and CURA grants and fellowships and more. 

3:30 – 4:15 PM: Local Artist Panel – “Thriving at the Intersection of Identity and Creativity” 

•  A moderated discussion with three successful BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists sharing their journeys, challenges, and advice featuring Elizabeth Doud, Travis Ray, and EJ Porter.

Evening: Celebration of Talent

4:30 – 6:00 PM: Performance Showcase

• Live performances from a curated lineup of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists in music, spoken word, and theater..

Creative Nexus is brought to you by Mosaic Movements in partnership with WSLR+ Fogartyville and sponsored by Live Music Society and Gulf Coast Community Foundation.