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When
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NEFA's 14th Annual Idea Swap
Where: Mechanics Hall | 321 Main St., Worcester, MA | View directions
The Idea Swap is an annual event for New England-based nonprofit cultural organizations to network and share project ideas that may qualify for funding from NEFA’s Expeditions grant program. Read more about the Idea Swap and watch a highlight reel from a past Idea Swap.
Check out the 2015 Idea Swap Program Book.
Review the Mini Swap Projects.
View the 2015 Idea Swap Participant List (as of 11/16/15).
Get Involved: Discover, Share, & Present Project Ideas
In addition to networking, Idea Swap participants are encouraged to share ideas in all stages with their colleagues from around the region. Project ideas are selected in advance to make five-minute presentations at the Idea Swap. Please see below for more details about how to present.
- Discover project ideas
Visit the Idea Swap Project Ideas page to find out what other New England presenting organizations and performing artists are working on.
- Share your project idea online
Submit your project idea on the Project Ideas page by October 16, 2015. Project ideas will be listed on this page before and after the Idea Swap, and will be distributed in hard copy to all event participants.
- Present your project idea at the Idea Swap
In advance of the Idea Swap, NEFA selects 15-20 projects from the Project Ideas page to make 5-minute presentations at the Idea Swap.
Schedule
| 9:00AM-10:00AM | Registration Opens & choice of: A) Light breakfast and networking (Main Hall) B) New to NEFA or new to the Idea Swap? Receive an overview of NEFA, Expeditions, and New England States Touring (NEST) programs from NEFA staff and learn about presenter member organizations from representatives of New England Presenters (NEP) and Arts Presenters of Northern New England (APNNE). Hear from grantees about their NEFA funded projects and experience. (Board Room) |
| 10:00AM-11:15AM | Welcome/Overview & Expeditions Panel An overview of the Expeditions program and application process. A panel of Expeditions panelists and grantees will share their experiences and lessons learned. |
| 11:15AM-12:15PM | Project Presentations, Part 1: Selections from Current Repertoire BANDALOOP | Arts Transcending Borders at the College of the Holy Cross Fake It ‘Til You Make It Bryony Kimmings | University of Massachusetts, Fine Arts Center Improvisations: Light and Sound Debo Band with the Joshua Light Show | Debo Music Productions Roosevelvis The Team | Wesleyan University, Center for the Arts In My Shoes Judy Dworin Performance Project Art of the Duo: Complex Stories, Simple Sounds Kinan Azmeh and DinukWijeratne | West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts Where the Wild Things Are Presentation House Theatre | Boston Book Festival Kanapolis Jenny Scheinman | University of Vermont, Lane Series Three Sisters Dmitry Krymov Laboratory | International Festival of Arts & Ideas |
| 12:15PM-1:15PM | Lunch & Networking |
| 1:15PM-1:30PM | Open Mic Presentations: Sign up throughout the day to share your idea with all participants in three minutes or less! |
| 1:30PM-2:15PM | Mini Swaps: Participants will break out into small groups to informally discuss project ideas based on the disciplines of music, dance, and theater. These small forums will allow a larger number of attendees to share project ideas in quick, two to three-minute succession. |
| 2:15PM-3:00PM | Project Presentations, Part 2: Made in China Wakka Wakka | Hopkins Center, Dartmouth College Animal Hanna Satterlee Room SITI Company | Pinkerton Academy A Gun Show So Percussion | Vermont Performance Lab Star of the Sea Moonfish Theatre | Redfern Arts Center at Keene State College Seeker of Truth Yuval Ron Ensemble | Portland Ovations Nufonia Must Fall DJ Kid Koala | FirstWorks Young@Heart in Black and White Young@Heart Chorus |
| 3:00PM- 4:00PM | Dessert & Networking: An opportunity to mix and mingle with all attendees. |
| 4:00PM | End |
Parking & Carpool Sign-up
Parking
There is limited on-street parking available. The nearest parking lots are on Waldo Street, Exchange Street, East Central Street, Main Street, and the Elm Street Garage.
View parking lots in the surrounding area.
Carpool Sign-Up
If you are interested in carpool options or can offer a ride for Idea Swap attendees, please provide your information here.
Hotels
If you need accommodations, we highly recommend booking a hotel room as early as possible. Please note there are a few large events taking place in Worcester on November 10th, and downtown hotels may have limited availability.
There are several hotels within a 3-15 minute drive to Mechanics Hall. Please see the list below for hotel options.
In order of proximity to downtown Worcester:
Hilton Garden Inn
35 Major Taylor Boulevard, Worcester
508.753.5780
Holiday Inn Express Worcester Downtown
110 Summer Street, Worcester
508.757.0400
Courtyard by Marriott Worcester
72 Grove Street, Worcester
508.363.0300
Beechwood Hotel
363 Plantation Street, Worcester
508.754.5789
Residence Inn by Marriott
503 Plantation Street, Worcester
508.753.6300
Quality Inn & Suites
50 Oriol Drive, Worcester
508.852.2800
The Suburban Extended Stay Worcester
50 Oriol Drive, Worcester
508.852.2800
Fairfield Inn & Suites Worcester Auburn
718 Southbridge Street, Auburn
508.832.9500
Holiday Inn Express Auburn
10-12 Johnson Street, Auburn
508.832.2500