I wasn’t able to attend the Americans for the Arts Annual Convention this year, but I did get to participate in the next best thing: following the conversation on Twitter.

There were lots of great discussion and opinions. But unless you were following 24/7, you may have missed some gems.

So, I’ve gone through the entire stream of tweets using the hashtag #AFTA11 (all 2389 of them!) cut out all fat, and filtered them down to my picks for the top 50 most-useful tweets to me from AFTA 2011.

I say most useful because I wanted to separate out things that can be acted on, resources/measurements that can be explored, impactful facts and figures, and new “lightbulb ideas.”

A big thank you to these great posters for posting meaty tweets – If you like something you see, follow the author on Twitter.

So here goes, from oldest (public art pre-conference) to newest (end of conference) order…

My picks for the 50 top tweets from AFTA 2011

1. @twocitygirl What I’m really getting from #AFTA11 is that temporary public art is the way to go.

2. @sparkoc Not attending @Americans4Arts Convention in San Diego #afta11 ? – You can still attend keynotes on FREE live webcast! http://conta.cc/kmEroP

3. @DDombrosky My list of tech resources for arts managers can be found at http://bit.ly/artstech #AFTA11

4. @ansteady Matt Lehrman recommends 2 books for understanding technology: DREAMING IN CODE & GROUNDSWELL. Good laypersons guides. #afta11

5. @FJavierTorres Check out the IMPACTFUL video from this Public Matters Project: http://ow.ly/1tQjk0 #AFTA11 #FOODEQUITY Market Makeovers

6. @FJavierTorres Another Fantastic Public Matters project that helps you see the change in community over time: http://ow.ly/5jLmi #AFTA11

7. @teaoranges Markusen and Gadwa’s Creative Placemaking study: http://t.co/rAggde5 #afta11

8. @FrameDance Higher than I would have guessed @artfulmanager: NEA festival study: 76% of festivals pay their artists. #afta11

9. @createquity +1: This is why we need independent interpretation. RT @artfulmanager: Why does arts research so often sound like talking points? #afta11

10. @ArtsAdvocate_MD How can we work to turn this around? RT @shewhotravels: 22% of businesses expect their arts giving to decrease this year #afta11

11. @wassilyk #afta11 kickstarter soon to introduce curated pages… Organizations will pick fave projects to back

12. @saharjavedani Acevedo states our need for “Inter-culturalism” understanding one’s own culture through the lens of others’ #cultures #afta11

13. @saharjavedani Acevedo gives shout out to @philaculture for reports on Cultural Engagement Index http://t.co/4wzP0hR #afta11

14. @MAinArtsMgt #afta11 Great positive findings on the Strategic National Arts Alumni Project survey SNAAP. Check their website: http://t.co/3PL877Y

15. @wassilyk #afta11 kickstarter, cross-social media promo critical, 40% of unsuccessful projects get 0 pledges

16. @SAHEARTS Kickstarter most common pledge is $25. People like to be a part of the project. “backing a project” #afta11

17. @MNCITIZEN majority of outdoor festivals (77%) occur in towns with less than 250,000 ppl, 60% are free, most held in easily accessed locations #AFTA11

18. @artfulmanager Up first at research session: NEA study of outdoor arts festivals. #afta11 http://1.usa.gov/iH7uMA

19. @IrenicImplement @Americans4Arts….loving the QR code on the button…you just gave me a new idea for our membership drive #afta11

20. @jesskstern Monterey Arts Council starts license plate program to raise $40M for arts ed. Kudos to oregon cultural trust for theirs as well! #afta11

21. @SheWhoTravels Did U know that every tweet ever made is archived @ Library of Congress? Good reason to never tweet pics of yr body parts #AFTA1

22. @ansteady Public art doesn’t have to be expensive. SnoWaffle cost $40: http://ow.ly/5jwHd #AFTA11

23. @MNCITIZEN Good advice: RT @APAP365 “If you’re at…#AFTA11 or any conference this summer, here’s why (& how) you should tweet: http://t.co/Cbm1JjG”

24. @MNCITIZEN 34% of arts EDs expect to leave the job in the next 2 years. 10% within the next 12 months #AFTA11

25. @MNCITIZEN Only 32% of arts EDs are hired from outside the organization, the rest are founders or from board or staff #AFTA11

Editors Note: This post originally appeared on Ron's website - GroupOfMinds.com.