Keynote Speaker: Danny N. T. Yung
An eloquent and moving speaker, artist-educator-cultural policy critic Danny Yung draws from his experiences in global cultural collaborations for this discussion about ways the arts can unify our world in this time of deepening and dangerous divisions. Yung is founding artistic director of Zuni Icosahedron, an independent cultural collective that has produced numerous multimedia arts events in Hong Kong and abroad. He was chairperson of the Arts in Education Committee for the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. Currently, Yung serves as Vice President of Asian Pacific Performing Arts Network and Program Director at the Hong Kong Institute of Contemporary Culture.



Join leaders from Minnesota's Southeast-Asian, East-African, and Latino communities for a panel discussion about the stories behind the changing demographics in Minnesota communities. Moderated by Laura Danielson, local attorney specializing in immigration, arts, and entertainment law and chair of the Immigration Group at Fredrickson & Byron, P.A.



Special workshops defining global education, refugee and immigrant topics, and connections with arts and culture are led by the Multi Cultural Voices Initiative, Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights, and the University of Minnesota's Institute for Global Studies.

The Center for Independent Artists presents a special performance of Sohrab and Rustum, a contemporary play based on an ancient Persian legend. Written and performed by Zaraawar Mistry in collaboration with Kathleen Sullivan; music composed and performed by Tim O'Keefe and Maryam Yusefzadeh. A discussion with Mistry follows.



A two-part digital-video/camera workshop, led by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Spencer Nakasako and Twin Cities-based media arts educator Usry Allyne, explores ways media arts can be used by young people to facilitate stories of cultural identity.



Tours and an Art Lab workshop focus on the Walker's new exhibition How Latitudes Become Forms: Art in a Global Age.



The title statement "Minneapolis & St. Paul Are East African Cities" is the focus of a presentation about artist Julie Mehretu's residency with students of East-African descent in the Twin Cities.



The interactive dance workshop with Leah Nelson--"If You Can Walk, You Can Dance"--tells a story about the African roots of hip-hop.



An interdisciplinary, global-curriculum development workshop offers activities especially designed for teaching teams.



PLUS, participants receive:
* Discounts on tickets to Friday evening's performance of Alladeen, with The Builders Association/moti roti at the Guthrie Lab. A special discussion session follows on Saturday.
* Discounts on tickets to Friday's world-premiere film Refugee, directed by Spencer Nakasako, at the Walker Art Center.



Conference Registration
We encourage participants to come in teams: teachers of different disciplines from the same school; teaching artists and residency partners, etc. Participants attending as a team receive a $5-per-person discount on registration fees. For more information and a registration form, contact Susan Rotilie at 612.375.7614 or e-mail susan.rotilie@walkerart.org.