UW-Green Bay’s Rosewall to explore future of the arts in ‘After Thoughts’ talk Oct. 7

Prof. Ellen Rosewall

Prof. Ellen Rosewall

The demise of the century-old Green Bay Symphony — and what it may or may not mean for the future of the arts more broadly — will be the topic of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s first After Thoughts program of the academic year.

UW-Green Bay Professor of Arts Management Ellen Rosewall will present “Future of the Arts: Is the Green Bay Symphony the canary in the coal mine?” Tuesday, Oct. 7 in the Grand Foyer of the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts on campus, 2420 Nicolet Drive. Rosewall will call on her three decades of art industry experience to provide insight into the arts, arts management and arts appreciation in Northeastern Wisconsin, using the closing of the symphony (currently in its final season) to discuss the future of the arts in our area. After Thoughts begins with a 5 p.m. reception, followed by Rosewall’s talk at 5:45.

When the Green Bay Symphony announced last spring that its next season would be its last, it joined the likes of several major cultural organizations around the country that have flirted with closure or become embroiled in labor disputes, Rosewall said. At the same time, there are stories of success — including UW-Green Bay’s own Weidner Center for the Performing Arts — that fly in the face of pessimism about the future of the arts.

“Which scenario paints the more accurate picture of the arts in the 21st century?” Rosewall said. “And more importantly, why should we care? Are the arts just like any other business, in which only the strong survive, or do they have broader meaning for our communities?”

Rosewall is known locally and nationally as an arts management specialist and advocate for the arts. She began her career as a musician, teaching music at MacPhail Center for the Arts in Minneapolis while maintaining an active career as a freelance singer, actor and pianist before entering arts management full time in 1989. Since then, Rosewall has held a number of high-profile leadership roles in the field of arts management, and she remains in demand as a consultant and speaker, working with arts organizations in small and large communities on fundraising, strategic planning and audience development. Her book, “Arts Management: Bringing Arts and Audiences Together in the 21st Century,” was published by Oxford University Press in October 2013.

In addition to kicking off programming for the academic year, the Oct. 7 After Thoughts program will serve as an opportunity for introduction to Georgia Miller, wife of new UW-Green Bay Chancellor Gary L. Miller and the newest member of the After Thoughts planning committee. The Millers joined the UW-Green Bay community in August.

Now in its fourth full season, After Thoughts seeks to connect women in the community with UW-Green Bay. The gatherings showcase University faculty, staff and guests, and convene women — and often “a few good men” — after their workdays for learning, enrichment and fun. The sessions are so named because they provide “After Thoughts” for participants to take with them when they leave.

Each After Thoughts session takes place from 5-7 p.m. in the Grand Foyer of the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts at UW-Green Bay, 2420 Nicolet Drive. The events begin with time to network, mingle and enjoy hors d’oeuvres before the featured guest speaker begins.

Seating for After Thoughts is limited, so advanced registration is recommended. The cost of each program is $14. To reserve your spot, send a check (payable to UW-Green Bay Foundation) to: UW-Green Bay Foundation, CL 805, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay, WI 54311; or register online at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/afterthoughts. Walk-up registration also is an option. Call (920) 465-2074 for more information. You can find After Thoughts on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/afterthoughts.uwgb. Visit http://www.uwgb.edu/afterthoughts/ for more information about the series.

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