Harness Our Artistic VOICES - WORKSHOPS
Harnessing Our Artistic Voices In 2026
Recognize our agency ~~ Recalibrate our self-sufficiency ~~
Renew our artistic power
(A project of New Expressive Works)
WHAT – A weekend series of three sessions designed to empower artists and culture bearers in “re-cognizing” the ways in which we contribute to our community’s well-being and thriving. These three workshops are sequential, so you will need to commit to the weekend for your and the community’s benefit. These sessions will include tons of resources, prompts, and inspirations that will give us the palpable experience of our collective strength. After the three sessions, you most likely will leave meeting more people in your community who share your values and “have your back” when you need it most.
The plan – One weekend; Three Sessions
Friday (5 - 7:30pm) – Roadmap of the Arts Advocacy Acronyms – Who are they and what are they doing?
Saturday (10am - 12:30pm) – The strategies in front of us – What are the strategies being considered in our region?
Sunday (10am - 12:30pm) – Our action plan – How do we bring visibility to the cultural, social and personal value proposition of artists and culture bearers?
[NOTE: All sessions are 2.5 hours long with an optional 45 minutes of mingling at the end of Saturday’s session.]
WHO IS THIS FOR – This series is aimed at bringing together practicing artists (spanning all artistic disciplines), culture-bearers, and artists who are also doubling as arts administrators. Basically, if you are immersed in the artistic/creative process for a significant amount of your life AND are keenly interested in understanding and influencing arts advocacy world, this educational series is for you!
WHO IS LEADING THIS PROJECT – Choreographer, artistic director, arts administrator, and advocate Subashini Ganesan-Forbes convenes and facilitates this series. As a working artist and founder of New Expressive Works, Subashini also actively participates in city (Creative Laureate 2018 – 2021), state (Oregon Arts Commission Chair 2023 – 2025), regional (Arts Lead for Metro Future Vision Project), and private philanthropy (Board Member of the Miller Foundation) work.
LOGISTICS
DATES OF WORKSHOPS - There are currently three weekend options to choose from. More sessions will occur in the Spring and will be announced mid-March.
· January 23rd– 25th
o Friday Jan 23rd – 5pm – 7:30pm; Saturday Jan 24th & Sunday Jan 25th – 10am – 12:30pm. Optional 45-minute community gathering after Saturday’s session.
· February 13th– 15th
o Friday Feb 13th – 5pm – 7:30pm; Saturday Feb 14th & Sunday Feb 15th – 10am – 12:30pm. Optional 45-minute community gathering after Saturday’s session.
· March 13th– 15th
o Friday Mar 13th – 5pm – 7:30pm; Saturday Mar 14th & Sunday Mar 15th – 10am – 12:30pm. Optional 45-minute community gathering after Saturday’s session.
LOCATION - New Expressive Works, 810 SE Belmont, Ste 2, PDX 97214. [In the WYSE Buliding. Use building doors located on the South side of the building.]
COST - Sliding Scale - $90 - $150.00
If two or more artists are interested in attending from the same collective, we can discuss a nominal bulk discount. Send an email (see contact information below) and let’s figure it out.
CONTACT AND REGISTER – If you are interested in participating, register by clicking through to the Google Form link below. You will provide the following information -
· Your name and email address
· Short bio/website to identify your affinity to this topic
· The dates you want to register for
· Amount you are able to pay. Pick the $$ amount that you are able to afford from the sliding scale ($90 - $150.00) so that an invoice (from New Expressive Works) can be sent for your payment.
Once your payment is complete, your spot in the series is confirmed.
Let’s gather, learn, and build together this year! See you all soon!
Subashini and New Expressive Works