Do you want to attend Evolving Program Institute 2024?
Of course you do! You know that EPI is the best place to gain knowledge and connections for the artistry we create together. If others in your organization have not yet heard of the Institute, here are some ways you can make a case for the impact EPI can have, and the value of their investment.
We’ve outlined five steps to get you to one of our in-person events.
-
Highlight The State-Of-The-Art Education, Workshops, & Training
Led by experienced field professionals, EPI features the most innovative ideas for your emerging or established residency program. Through interactive workshops, you’ll learn how the most successful residencies operate, recruit, and prepare for a rich future. Past workshops have featured leaders such as Chiwoniso Kaitano discussing their experience transforming MacDowel, and Brea Heidelberg discussing artist engagement practices.
After EPI, you can hit the ground running, incorporating those skills into your organization’s day-to-day operations.
-
Pitch EPI24 As A Team Building Experience
When was the last time you were together as a team? Invite your whole team and turn it into an offsite team building experience. Whether your team works remotely, hybrid, or in the office, team bonding is always a great idea. Like artist residencies, EPI24 presents the opportunity for residency leaders to disconnect from day-to-day obligations to explore new ways to advance their work.
-
Use Personal Examples
If you’ve been to a similar event and found it beneficial, share your experience with your supervisor. Describe how the event helped you grow professionally and how it impacted your work. Identify the skills and capabilities your supervisor values most in you, then demonstrate how your attendance helped you hone skills such as grant writing, fund development, program planning, and artist engagement.
Finally, demonstrate how attending EPI can help you grow professionally and expand your network. Once you return, you can tap into that network for new ideas and opportunities.
-
Connect The Dots Between EPI Programming And Your Organizational Goals
Attending a business event isn’t just an essential experience for the individual employee; it’s also a wise investment for the organization. It might be the experience the program needs to reach its next milestone.
For example, if your organization wants to transform its residency application processes, explain how EPI equips employees with the tools they need to work together more effectively.
-
Ask For Formal Approval
If you have a close relationship with your supervisor, you can make your case informally over Zoom or in person. But if a request in writing helps, ask for formal approval through an email.
Your supervisor may not be prepared to act on your request immediately, and they may need to get approval from other decision-makers. Send your request early so your supervisor has time to consider the proposal.