Although I can feel convention fatigue setting in, as I write this at 12:33 am on Sunday morning (some of that has to do with the relentless assault of Las Vegas on the mind, body and spirit), I am enthusiastic about the overall "feel" and mindset of the conference.  We are a field that is coming together with a common message and call to action, one that resonates with a broad and ever-changing diversity and spectrum of audiences.

There were some wonderful presentations today that captured the essence of big picture thinking and action for the arts:

--Sir Ken Robinson, a visionary with a great sense of humor.  His conversation, and the panel discussion that followed this afternoon, was all about the essential importance of the arts in education.  It has resonated around the world and is starting to be appreciated in this country.  I especially liked his interaction with a panel member at the MetLife session, Burns Hargis of Oklahoma, about the new "Oklahoma Creativity" initiative. 

-- Ann Markusen, professor at University of Minnesota, and her research and ideas about investing in the arts at the grassroots level, and in the people involved in the arts.  She very succinctly takes the discussion back to the artist and the community, to remind us all that this is where it starts, and this is where we must begin our focus.

I'm really looking forward to Mathew Gross' Public Advocacy Innovator session tomorrow, as we wind down the conference.