Dasha Kelly gets the performing arts world. She totally understands what it takes for those venues to become “satellites for transformation” to become fresh, energetic, and, perhaps most important, relevant.
“For the past 20 years, I have existed in the performing arts world as an artist, producer, venue owner, convener, advocate, facilitator, and community 
liaison,” said Kelly, founder of her own non-profit that creates training experience for young teaching artists. “In all of these roles, I found the richest experiences at the intersections of intention and exploration. As an independent performer and founder of an arts non-profit, I understand the distances an organization can travel between mission and impact. As a creative change agent, l leverage the creative process to broker conversations, refresh perspective, and celebrate triumphs along the way.
Expect to be a part of those triumphs at Kelly presents at the Performing Arts track at VenueConnect in Toronto on July 24 from 9:15 – 10:15 am Eastern time.
Kelly is known for using her words and arts as tools for building inspiration and community. Her work has taken her throughout the United States, Canada, Botswana, Beirut, and Mauritius, a diverse mixture of peoples and culture if there ever was one. Words are her strength, as evidences by twice being named a finalist as Poet Laureate for the state of Wisconsin. That said, Kelly knows that words can only go so far and that action at some point is required. Just what action and takeaways does she have in mind for those attending her session?
“My goal will be to widen organizational and individual approaches to ‘possible,'” she said. “Specifically, I will offer core concepts for reframing scopes of influence to build partnerships, programs, and public impact.”
As Kelly prepares for VenueConnect, she has enjoyed some deeper learning experiences about the public assembly venue industry that will come in handy in Toronto.
“I’m reminded of the countless ‘unseen universes’ that pulse all around us,” Kelly said. “I was struck most by certifications for venue management and executives. It’s impressive to see executive leadership leading with accountability to continued education. I also find myself curious about how the various venue types may find ways to network and share knowledge.”
Kelly also understands the empowerment of women throughout all scopes of life and has been honored as such in being selected with Michelle Obama, Justice Sonia Sotomayer, Kathleen Turner, Chief Theresa Kachandamoto, and 15 other women from around the world to have award-winning composers create each of the women a song with lyrics from their of our life. The music debuted at the Washington Gallery of Art and San Jose Hammer Theater.
