Speaking

Philanthrocapitalism and the digitization of cultural heritage

Cyberspace Conference
Masaryk University
November 26, 2020 | Online

The corporate sector’s renewed interest in cultural heritage has offered new opportunities to leverage emerging technology to preserve, protect, and present both tangible and intangible heritage. Through strategic investments of capital, expertise, and technology, corporations offer an opportunity to revitalize a sector beleaguered by precarious government funding and unpredictable public support. But these investments also present complex legal and ethical challenges.

Global Risks

Nonprofit Risk Summit
October 20, 2020 | Online

Globalization has offered a multitude of opportunities for nonprofits to create a profound impact. But, as recent events have demonstrated, it also creates complex risks. This new category of risk now has implications for even the most local nonprofits. This session will explore how we can plan for, and adapt to, the unprecedented complexity, interconnectivity, and velocity of a globalized world. This session included a high-level overview of geopolitical trends and risks. Participants were also be introduced to practical tools that they can use immediately to help their own organization monitor geopolitical issues

You Can’t Fight Fate

Nonprofit Risk Summit
October 19, 2020 | Online

Many risk management professionals recognize risk as steeped in uncertainty; when we conceptualize risk as uncertainty, we are reminded of the impossibility of predicting the future.  This session began with an overview of common futurist strategies: trend analysis, forecasting, and scenario planning. It continued with practical tools, resources, and frameworks that participants were able to use immediately in their day-to-day work.

Global Image: Cultural Strategy in U.S.-China Relations

China and the Chinese in the Modern World Conference, Jagiellonian University
June 13-14, 2020 | Cracow, Poland / Online

While the U.S. and China are poised at the brink of a trade war, the two superpowers are locked in a tug-of-war for public opinion. How do these countries leverage cultural assets to exert soft power? This presentation explores the role of arts, fashion, and entertainment in shaping U.S.-China relations.

21st Century Leadership: Rethinking Strategy, Vision, Influence, and Power

National Performance Network Annual Conference
December 10-13, 2019 | New Orleans, Louisiana

In an increasingly complex, interdependent, and accelerating world, the cultural sector needs leaders that are not only attuned to the profound shifts that are underway, but who also have the vision and resilience to harness these forces to advance their organization’s mission.  This session will explore the emerging competencies that are necessary for 21st century leaders: embracing disruption, navigating decentralized networks, cultivating influence, empowering others, fostering movements, and forging connectedness.

Culture and Creativity Can Prevent WWIII

TEDxAlbany
December 5, 2019 | Albany, New York

In an increasingly volatile, uncertain, and divided world, can we find common ground and address the existential threats facing humanity? By building bridges of cultural understanding, we also erecting the platforms for collaboration that will enable us to overcome the seemingly intractable challenges of the 21st century. This talk explores how the visual and performing arts lead us to discover our shared humanity and pave a pathway to peace.

Dangerous Ideas: Negotiating Controversy In The Stewardship Of Culture

Nonprofit Risk Summit
October 1-2, 2018 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Art becomes controversial when works are perceived as an affront to ideas, norms, and values that they explore. Responses to provocative works can come as demands for censorship and escalate into threats or acts of violence. This seminar explored case studies of controversial works and examined the ways in which institutions negotiated the risks associated with presenting these works.

Art Fairs & Music Festivals: Cultural Platforms and their Cities

Creative Placemaking Leadership Summit
May 4-5, 2018 | Newark, New Jersey

Since 2014, more than 700 people, including cultural leaders, public officials and urban planners, have participated in the Creative Placemaking Leadership Summit. Nick will be presenting a session exploring the roles that platform events, such as recurring international art exhibitions, music festivals and convenings play in creating the image of a city and examine the ways in which these types of programs can elevate local talent in service of delivering global impact.

Negotiation for Museum Professionals

Museum Association of New York Annual Conference
April 2-4, 2017 | Saratoga Springs, New York

The MANY Annual Conference is the largest gathering of New York museum staff, board members, and consultants. Nick presented a seminar introducing museum professionals to fundamental negotiation concepts and tools for developing deals that maximize value for both parties. During this 75-minute session, participants explored ways to structure the bargaining process, learned how to identify both their and their counterpart’s interests, and developed the ability to recognize (and counteract) the most common manipulative tactics used by aggressive negotiators.

Negotiation for Museum Technology Professionals

Museums and the Web
April 19-22, 2017 | Cleveland, Ohio

Museums and the Web is an annual convening of educators, managers, consultants, and technologists from museums, galleries, libraries, science centers, and archives from around the world. Nick will be presenting a 3-hour workshop on the first day of the conference outlining practical negotiation strategies for technology professionals. This highly interactive workshop will provide participants with an opportunity to develop and hone their negotiation skills through engaging exercises and simulated negotiations.