Association of Performing Arts Professionals

As Americans, the Puritanical work ethic tends to dominate our mindset; it feels unnatural not to work all the time. And because APAP is a service organisation, it can feel counter to our charge. In this month's issue of International Arts Manager Magazine, APAP President and CEO Lisa Richards Toney reflects on rest, just as she and the APAP Team are about to do the unexpected... They will take a break for an entire month. In this piece, she voices the (often contradictory) concerns about work and rest. With so much accomplished and so much work to do ahead, I find myself asking, “How can we take this break?” and then responding to myself, “How can we not take this break?” We cannot forget that our teams are made of people. Sadly, work culture frequently deems people to be an expendable resource. The only way the arts can support the health and wellbeing of our communities is for us to also take care of our own health and wellbeing. Read the full article below and share with your colleagues. We welcome your thoughts in the comments.

Ready to make your voice heard for the arts? Join us for our Advocacy 101 Webinar tomorrow, January 22nd, from 3:00–4:30 PM EST! 🎨✨ We’ll discuss and share key insights to empower arts advocacy in 2025. Whether you’re an artist, arts organization, or passionate about creating change, this is your chance to learn how to advocate effectively for the arts. 📢 🔗 Register now and let’s shape the future of arts together! https://lnkd.in/eRBEJKAa

So many magical moments from APAP|NYC 2025 ✨! Through the breathtaking performances, learning sessions, and networking experiences, we felt your passion and saw your joy 😊 Thank you for making it such a memorable conference! 🤍 Can’t wait to celebrate the performing arts presenting, booking, and touring field again from January 9-13, 2026! All photos captured by Adam Kissick at APAP|NYC 2025. In order of appearance: Aja Monet Sebastian Natal Candombe Septet Araceli Poma Shanta Thake, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts Bamba Wassoulou Groove Nathaniel Marro, National Independent Talent Organization Elida Almeida BALLEZ Magic of JEKI YOO Maryna Krut APAP attendees and exhibitor Lauren Gardiner, Inspiration Artists Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, Inc. APAP attendees taking a selfie outside Hilton showcase APAP attendees smiling at a networking table Lisa Richards Toney, APAP President and CEO Damn Tall Buildings Sean Jones Nona Hendryx APAP attendees smiling outside Hilton showcase The Other Mozart Tasha Golden, PhD speaking at the Arts RX: Aligning Arts and Public Health session Kelli O’Hara Sean Jones Calpulli Mexican Dance Company Fränder Seth Godin Lulani Arquette and Christopher Kaui Morgan Underground Uptown Dance Festival #APAPNYC #JanArtsNYC #APAPNYC2025

Breaking: LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund. I’m proud to have been among the collaborators on this fund to provide emergency relief for artists and arts workers impacted by the devastating Los Angeles fires. Ford Foundation joins J. Paul Getty Trust Mellon Foundation and a growing coalition of foundations and arts organizations in the effort. Center for Cultural Innovation will open applications Monday. Sending profound appreciation to Joan Weinstein and Angie Kim for their leadership. Learn more:

📢 Calling all independent venues, promoters, performing arts centers, and festivals! The groundbreaking #StateOfLive Economic Research Survey is here! As part of NIVA’s commitment to championing the independent live sector, this first-of-its-kind initiative will measure the collective impact of our industry and address the challenges we face. The data collected will play a critical role in shaping advocacy efforts, informing policies, and demonstrating the vital contributions our community makes to local and national economies. If you’re part of the independent live entertainment ecosystem (regardless of your NIVA membership status), we need your input. Don’t miss this opportunity to make your voice heard and help secure the future of our industry. Plus, participants will receive a 20% discount on conference badges for #NIVA25 as a thank-you for completing the survey. 📅 Complete the survey by February 18: stateoflive.org

It's conference week, folks! 🤩 We want to see the APAP|NYC 2025 conference through your eyes. Tag us and #APAPNYC so we can keep up with your journey! Registered conference attendees—check your email inboxes today for everything you need to know before you arrive. Also, make sure notifications are toggled "on" in the online conference platform so you don't miss any last-minute changes to the schedule. Not registered yet? What are you waiting for?! Current members can still register at the on-site rate. And the artist registration rate is always available here: https://lnkd.in/gK75ta8g See you in New York City 🏙️🗽🍎 📸: Yasser Tejeda showcase featuring dancing audience members at globalFEST/APAP|NYC 2024 (Adam Kissick/APAP) #PerformingArts #JanArtsNYC NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment StageLync

Thank you to all who made a year-end gift to APAP! Your generosity supports APAP's year-long work of providing professional development, educational support, and networking and business opportunities to performing arts professionals. The good news is that it's still not too late to make your gift. There are many ways you can support APAP today and into the future, whether with a gift of appreciated stock or with a qualified distribution from an IRA. Recommend a gift to APAP through a donor-advised fund or employer match and consider creating a legacy gift. Contact development@apap365.org to learn more or make your gift here: https://lnkd.in/ezbjiDaB Every gift makes a difference. Thank you for helping to Carry the Field Forward. Artist pictured: Aparna Ramaswamy (Executive Artistic Director, Ragamala Dance Company, represented by ELSIE MANAGEMENT and APAP Board Member) Photo credits: Adam Kissick/APAP #Gratitude #APAP #SupportTheArts #PerformingArts

APAP|NYC 2025 officially kicks off one week from today! We can't wait for art-rock Vocalist, Composer, Technologist and Multidisciplinary Artist Nona Hendryx (2025 APAP Honors Award of Merit Awardee) to help us ring in the beginning of conference at the Opening Plenary on Friday, January 10 at 5:00 p.m.! Comment below if you're as excited as we are! 😊 Still haven't registered? No problem! You can still register at the on-site rate here: https://lnkd.in/gK75ta8g #APAPNYC #NonaHendryx #PerformingArts #Conference

🎉 Join us in celebrating the arts professionals selected as the 5 Minutes to Shine (5MTS) storytellers for APAP|NYC 2025. Congratulations to Dr. Allison Fleetwood (Nixa Theatre & Aetos Center for the Performing Arts), Jackie “Miss Funk” Lopez (Versa-Style Street Dance Company), and Araceli Poma (Peruvian singer & bandleader of Afro-Andean Funk). 5MTS is an incredible way for arts workers to not only share their stories, but also highlight their new discoveries, practices, and processes of working within the performing arts ecosystem. You can hear their inspirational stories of reinvention, innovation, insight, and experimentation throughout the conference! #APAPNYC #JanArtsNYC

As we enter the new year, Lisa Richards Toney offers an invitation: "Lean into this new beginning. Seek growth opportunities through giving and collaboration. Be open, with fresh eyes and to the seeds you might discover. They are both the gifts you create and those which you offer." This month's "A View from Here" celebrates sustainability through partnerships. We are an ecosystem, and together can we thrive. Read the full article from International Arts Manager Magazine below. Thanks to the JanArtsNYC partners and NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment for their ongoing partnership.