The Princess Grace Awards Summit is an annual event for the new class of Princess Grace Award winners and honoraria recipients. A series of panels and conversations curated by the Foundation and its Princess Grace Award winner alumni, its purpose is to build meaningful conversations around artistry and practicalities of being a working artist, as well as the opportunity for relationship building/networking across disciplines and years.
In 2022, each session was built around themes the Princess Grace Foundation thought relevant or useful and relied on artist participation. Thank you to our participants for bringing their authentic selves to each session and for their thought-provoking questions.
Special thanks to our Summit Session leaders: Kyle Abraham, Saheem Ali, Mollie Eliasof, Jon-Sesrie Goff, Arnulfo Maldonado, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Courtney Celeste Spears, and UBS Financial Services.
November 2 – 3, 2022
Gibney Dance Center
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Wednesday, November 2
9:30 – 10:30 am
Welcome Session
Facilitated by Melia Bensussen (Theater 1990), Brisa Carleton (CEO, Princess Grace Foundation-USA), and Diana Kemppainen (Director of Programming, Princess Grace Foundation-USA)
10:30 – 11:45 am
Artist roundtable with Arnulfo Maldonado (Theater 2008), Darrell Grand Moultrie (Choreography 2007) and Saheem Ali
During the session, Arnulfo Maldonado, Darrell Grand Moultrie, and Saheem Ali spoke about their working relationship on previous shows and their new musical, “Goddess”. Arnulfo shared sketches, designs and photos from the run at Berkely Rep as the trio shared behind the scenes from the creation of the show and an honest conversation around navigating successful artistic collaboration.
Key takeaways:
- Limit your ego. All three spoke about their willingness to be in service of the larger vision of the project and maintaining a thoughtful approach to working with one another. They also spoke about how they determine who to bring onto projects and shared you want to continue working with people you have previously had success with.
- Flexibility. All three spoke about the need to be flexible to change and to prepare yourself to make creative adjustments. In one example, Darrell and Arnulfo spoke about a change to the set design – Arnulfo realized that to create a realistic atmosphere (the show takes place in a bar), there was a need for more chairs and tables in the space. This meant Darrell’s choreography needed to change. Arnulfo and Darrell discussed how they approached this communication and how they were mindful of each other’s work to accommodate the necessary change in service of the larger story.
Noon – 1:45 pm
Lunch Session with UBS
In conversation with Kyle Abraham (Choreography 2010)
Carey Shuffman and Olapeju Togunde (Pjay) from UBS Financial Services hosted a conversation with Kyle Abraham to discuss how artists can build financial stability and plan for the future both as independent artists and leaders of organizations.
The first half of the session was Carey, PJay and Kyle in conversation and the remainder of the session was a Q&A. Carey and PJay spoke from the perspective of financial advisors and how they thought about finances and how they got into the field. Kyle spoke about his own relationship with finances and how it served his larger goals. While much of the first half of the conversations focused on how to approach finances when you have found financial success, the last half of the conversation was Q&A from artists about best practices and resources when you don’t feel financially stable.
Key takeaways:
- Everyone is on different financial journeys. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, especially when you feel you don’t fully understand.
- You want to make your money work for you. Putting money into higher yield savings accounts or Roth IRA/IRA can help you long-term financially. Even if it’s only small amounts – $10-$50/month – can help long-term.
- Make sure you know what your fixed monthly expenses are and how you are going to cover those costs. For Kyle, sometimes that meant subletting his apartment – even if that meant staying on another friend’s couch.
- When you’re ready to take the next step, find the right team. Finding a financial advisor is like finding a therapist or any other close collaborator. You should feel comfortable, and you may need to speak with a few before selecting one. Good financial advisors will offer a consultation without commitment.
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Resiliency as an Artist with Mollie Eliasof, LCSW
Licensed Psychotherapist and Global Leadership Coach Mollie Eliasof fielded questions from the group offering her perspective on topics ranging from imposter syndrome and how to advocate for yourself. Thanks to a brave question from a participant (TW), the session also delved into how to handle/address issues of harassment both as the creative lead or artist for hire. We are most grateful to the participants for creating a welcoming and safe space to discuss difficult topics.
Key takeaways:
- It can be hard to take care of yourself in the moment, especially difficult conversations. If you know one is coming up or there is something you may want to address: practice the conversation. Come up with a few different scenarios of the direction the conversation may go in, and how you might respond.
- Imposter syndrome. You are probably not alone in feeling that sense of being an imposter or not belonging. But you occupy that space, because you deserve it and don’t be afraid to take your space.
3:00 – 4:30 pm
Artist roundtable with Jon-Sesrie Goff (Film 2015)
Over Zoom, we chatted with filmmaker Jon-Sesrie Goff. Jon-Sesrie spoke extensively about straddling the divide between working as an arts administrator at the Ford Foundation and an independent artist. He also delved into parenthood and juggling artistic practice.
Key takeaways:
- Rejection isn’t personal, particularly when it comes to grant applications. Oftentimes, it is about the best match between the mission of a funding institution and the application. It is not a statement about your artistic excellence or artistic pursuits.
- Tailer your asks. Relationships and matchmaking can play a pivotal role in the art you make.
6:00 pm
Private dinner and cocktail reception for 2022 Princess Grace Award winners
This event was only open to 2022 Princess Grace Award winners.
Thursday, November 3
10:15 – 11:15 am
Artist Roundtable with Courtney Celeste Spears (Dance 2015)
To close the Summit, we sat down with Courtney Celeste Spears, a dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and founder of ArtSea, to discuss career longevity.
Key takeaways:
- Rethink concepts of building a business into something more palatable. Perspective plays a crucial role. For example, if you are wondering about marketing your business, look at the marketing materials in the organizations or spaces you work or attend. How many marketing brochures have you looked at and been interested in what is being offered? Just because you don’t see yourself as a “marketer” it doesn’t mean you don’t already have the skills.
- Ask questions when you don’t know the answer or would like to learn more. We are often afraid of seeming uninformed, but knowledge is power. For example, if you are interested in crafting an event space structure, ask the production team where you work to share how they create a rental schedule. Ask and ask again.
- Be thoughtful about relationships. It is the people you know that will create opportunities. Build a rolodex in all areas of your life – work, friends, and family.
- Gracefully handle rejection. Sometimes that door isn’t your door, and another door will open when the opportunity is right.
11:15 am – Noon
Closing Session
Our Class of 2022 shared reflections on the Summit, connected with their colleagues, and learned about additional grant support and ways to stay engaged with the Princess Grace Foundation.
6:30 pm
The Princess Grace Awards Celebration
Held in the presence of TT.SS. HH. Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, a black-tie event celebrated the 2022 Princess Grace Award winners and honoraria.
