Museum Association of New York :
The Tie That Binds - A Conversation
w/ Erika Sanger
I met Erika Sanger of the Museum Association of NY (MANY) in the halls of the Arts Center of the Capital Region where they are currently based. Her light hearted and positive energy captured me. I have been wanting to meet up to learn more about MANY and see if there was any way that ACE! could play a role in their programming. When we finally did connect recently, I was not disappointed. Erika has an outstanding experiential pedigree and runs an organization of mighty historic and cultural prowess that threads community throughout the entire State of New York. She filled us in about ongoing mission, the current status of membership, and plans for the Semiquincentennial or America 250. (The 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence)

Corey Aldrich : Senior ACE Contributor

Image: Provided | Erika Sager - Executive Director : Museum Association of New York
(AI) ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE PART I OF III :
What It Is and Why You Should Care
Powerful Artificial Intelligence engines like Chat GPT4 and Midjourney v5 are quickly moving into the mainstream. This 3-part series on the expanding prevalence of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) will consider the topic with respect to art and the creative economies in our region and beyond. In this opening segment, Taliesin Thomas PhD explores the basic definitions of A.I. and where the current conversation is moving.

"The fundamental thing to understand about A.I. is that it is a unique form of simulated intelligence by way of computer systems that aim to assist humans achieve in increased capacities."

Taliesin Thomas PhD : ACE! Guest Corespondent

Image: Corey Aldrich
Our First Networking Mixer of 2023
A SMASHING SUCCESS!
Put this one in the books as a smashing success! Regional film folks know how to show up and support and it made for a really productive event with about 140 in attendance for our first of 2023.

Big thanks to our event co-sponsor 518 Film Network and the tabling organizations : WMHT Studios and TvFILM, Film Albany, Thin Edge Films and the Adirondack Film Commission. Also, for the impromptu film capture of the presentation portion by Rick Sheill and Robert Barao. Our presenter programs by Annie Delano of AND Casting and Festival Distribution Strategies by Cameron Mitchell where so popular we are thinking of building a day of educational workshops around film industry related topics. More on that as things develop.

Finally, our biggest thanks to Louise Kerr, the Saratoga Arts team (and Board Members!) who were kind enough to work with us to make this a community based, accessible event. Looking forward to partnering up with that team again! Promo assist acknowledgement and thanks to SPAC, Saratoga Downtown BID and Discover Saratoga. If I missed anyone hit me up and I will make it up to you!

To get a little more flavor from the event check out the recent posts on our INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK feeds. Big thanks to Gee Gee Wolmart and Patrick J. Harris for photographing the festivities.
FREE TICKET Giveaway!
Ruben & Clay's 'Twenty | The Tour'
In a celebration of 20 years of friendship and performance, Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken will be appearing at the Troy Music Hall in Troy, NY. The American Idol alums announced Twenty, which is a 20th anniversary tour commemorating their 2003 run on the singing competition show's sophomore season. FREE ticket availability is first come first serve and limited so jump on this ASAP if your interested, these are sure to go quickly! There is a two tickets per person limit.

To get the discount, click the link below, select from available seats. At the checkout, Enter Discount Code: ACE - That will recalculate the cost as FREE. Reserved tickets will be a the Will Call window.

Where: Troy Music Hall | 30 Second Street | Troy, NY 12180
When: Wednesday, April 12th | 7:30 PM

“A lot gets written and said about ‘how sweet it is’ that Rᴜʙᴇɴ and I have ‘kept in touch’ over the years. If you have the blessing of knowing Ruben Studdard, you understand: There aren’t many humans more selfless or gracious or loyal than he. America fell in love with him because his performances made them feel happy and welcomed; that’s who he is in real life too.” Clay Aiken

This will be the tour kickoff event and is sure to be a magical night! Big thanks to Troy Music Hall's Jon Elbaum for allowing us to share this special moment and Ryan Murray and the box office team for helping to set up the promo!
INSIDE ACE! | CREATING A NEW PATH
Spring is about to spring and I am sure I can speak for us all, it could not happen soon enough! Full newsletter this month so I will get to it. Excited to finally get a chance to sit down with Erika Sanger and learn a bit more about her and the Museum Association of NY. This is a statewide organization based in the Capital Region with a mighty mission. Taliesin Thomas PhD is back with the first of a three part commissioned series on the impact of A.I. that will feature regional voices and real world impacts...good and bad. And...a great ticket giveaway this month thanks to Jon Elbaum over at the Troy Music Hall.

Finally, see below an important excerpt from a recent Times Union opinion piece co-written by Lucy Sexton, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Culture & Arts and Elizabeth Reiss CEO of the Arts Center of the Capital Region and President of Arts NYS. Please take a moment to acquaint yourself with this one. Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposed executive budget for arts and culture funding is down 80% over last year. If realized, this will have a majorly negative impact on quality of life for communities across NY State. I don't have to tell folks reading this the importance that arts and cultural institutions, and their associated activities play in the creative economy (Jobs, Tourism, Education, Real Estate value) and more importantly in the overall happiness and mental health of us all.

"The creative economy comprised more than 7 percent of New York’s gross state product pre-pandemic, generating $120 billion in economic activity...Studies show that neighborhoods with strong cultural assets are safer and have better mental health, improved education outcomes and stronger civic engagement."

Let's make sure we all do what we can collectively to create a positive shift in this outcome. Together we are strong!

Corey Aldrich
ACE! : Executive Director

E: hello@upstateace.org | W: upstatecreative.org | SOCIALS: @upstatecreative
TIMES UNION | Opinion Piece Excerpt
Funding the Arts Pays Off Many Times Over
Money for the Arts is an Investment in New York's Financial, Cultural and Mental Health.

EXCERPT: Times Union Opinion Page Piece | Dated 03.19.23

"From racist restrictions on education to anti-LGBTQ+ bans on performing artists, there is an alarming rise in laws across the country targeting free speech, free thought and freedom of expression. New York needs to take this moment, and these actions, very seriously. In addition to speaking out, strengthening our laws, and protecting targeted communities, our response must include an active, passionate and sustained support of the artistic freedom of expression for which our state is known."

"Gov. Kathy Hochul has championed arts in the past. But this year, her executive budget’s arts funding was 80 percent less than last year’s. Now is the time to increase our investment in this critical sector, and we call on the Legislature and the governor to consider the power and importance of public funding of arts and culture."
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Authors: Lucy Sexton is the Executive Director of New Yorkers for Culture & Arts. Elizabeth Reiss is CEO of the Arts Center of the Capital Region and President of Arts NYS.

Photo: Corey Aldrich | Pre-event capture from this weeks 'Rally for Culture and Arts' at the New York State Capital.
REGIONAL & BEYOND : NEWS / OPPORTUNITY
Capital Region Job Opportunities