Collegiate Arts Bridge
Heartland Performing Arts is committed to expanding access to meaningful educational opportunities within the performing arts. Through the Collegiate Arts Bridge at MAX, a 16 week program, the organization provides hands on, real world experience for emerging artists, agents, and presenters. This innovative program fills a critical gap in the performing arts conference industry by connecting the next generation of professionals with practical learning, mentorship, and industry exposure, strengthening the future of the arts through education and collaboration.
Thank you for your support of the inaugural Collegiate Arts Bridge!
2026 supporters: Dandelion Artists, BiCoastal Productions, Riot Artists, Bill Blagg Magic & Illusion
PROGRAM
Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled at a Midwest college or university and have junior, senior, or graduate standing in Fall 2026, with a degree program focused on the performing arts. Midwest states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin.
- Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.50
- Must attend:
- Class of 2026 Orientation Virtual Meeting: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 2:00-3:30 p.m. CT
- Four virtual summer sessions on Wednesdays from 2:00-3:30 p.m. CT on the following dates: June 10, July 8, August 12, and September 9.
- The Midwest Arts XPO Conference in Milwaukee, WI: September 22-25
Application timeline:
Application opens March 1, 2026
Application closes March 31, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. CT
Class selection and notification will be by April 20, 2026
2026 Application is closed
SUMMER PROGRAM
Students will participate in an orientation meeting and four 90-minute online summer sessions featuring professionals from across the performing arts field.
Class of 2026 Orientation Online Meeting
Wednesday, May 20 | 2:00-3:30 p.m. CT
Behind the Curtain: The Good, The Bad & The Standing Ovation
Tianna Conway, Managing Director | Moraine Valley Fine & Performing Arts Center
Jim O’Connell, Associate Professor & Coordinator of Arts Management | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Kate Williams, Executive Director | Ashwaubenon Performing Arts Center
John Hassig, Executive Director | Schauer Arts Center
Agent vs. Artist Manager: What Sets Them Apart?
Wednesday, July 8 | 2:00-3:30 p.m. CT
Laurel Canan, Artist Manager | Siegel Artist Management
Jennifer Morris, Artist Manager | Siegel Artist Management
Charley Ray, Agent | Action Entertainment Collaborative
Kevin Horton, Agent | William Morris Endeavor
The Startup Artist
Wednesday, August 12 | 2:00-3:30 p.m. CT
Jeremy Davis | equinoxjazz.com
Victor Haskins | victorhaskins.com
Barron Ryan | barronryan.com
Shana Tucker | shanatucker.com
MEET THE COMMITTEE
Tianna Conway is the Managing Director of the Fine and Performing Arts Center at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, IL. She has extensive arts outreach experience, bringing professional touring artists into K-12 schools to provide high-quality performances at no cost to districts. Previously, she served as Director of Arts Events and Audience Engagement at Carthage College in Kenosha, where she founded the Office of Performing and Visual Arts and developed 35 student positions supporting programming, presenting, house management, box office, marketing, grant writing, outreach, and event production. With 21 years of experience, she has also held roles as Director of Education at the Schauer Arts Center, Box Office Manager at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Assistant Director for the Office of Performing and Visual Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. She mentors emerging arts managers and is a frequent guest speaker at universities and performing arts conferences. Tianna holds a B.S. in Music Performance and an M.S.E. in Arts Management from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. She served as Chair of the Wisconsin Presenters Network (2021- 2025) and is a founder and former Board Secretary and Vice President of Heartland Performing Arts, Inc., which launched the Midwest Arts XPO in 2023.
Laurel Canan has 26 years of experience in the arts industry, with a background in programming, marketing, strategic planning, fundraising, and nationwide arts advocacy. She has worked as a booking agent and served as the executive director of the Janesville Performing Arts Center in Wisconsin, where she helped launch the Center in 2004 and played a central role in securing $3.4 million for its restoration. Laurel’s leadership has been widely recognized, including Forward Janesville’s Woman of Excellence award, commendation from the Wisconsin State Assembly, and induction into the Rock County Arts Hall of Fame. She has served as a State Captain for Create Wisconsin and as a grant review panelist for several state arts councils. A frequent speaker and mentor at national conferences, Laurel has lectured on Arts Administration and Development at multiple universities and has taught Arts Administration programs at Viterbo University and Butler University. She has also guided numerous nonprofit arts organizations through strategic and fundraising planning. Laurel served on the board of Heartland Performing Arts, Inc. from 2022–2025, helping to launch the Midwest Arts XPO in 2023. She is the former president of NAPAMA and the Ohio Arts Professionals Network and co-chaired the 2016 Arts Midwest Conference. She holds an MPA from Ball State University.
Jim O’Connell is Associate Professor and Coordinator of Arts Management at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He holds an M.A. in Arts Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an A.B. in Drama and Government from Dartmouth College. He served New York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, and Arizona State University Public Events. From 1992-2014, he was CEO of Wausau’s Performing Arts Foundation/Grand Theater Jim is a member of the Association of Arts Administration Educators and served as its treasurer from 2020 to 2024. He currently serves as board member and treasurer of Wisconsin Humanities.
Barron Ryan is an internationally renowned concert pianist, composer, and musical storyteller. He has released nine studio albums, published an illustrated storybook, and been named one of “Ten Innovators to Watch in 2021” by Smithsonian Magazine. Barron tours the country as a solo artist, half of the Ryan & Ryan father-son piano duo, and leader of a classical piano trio. He also enjoys work as a commissioned composer, and relishes fulfilling his artistic mission to ‘discover and present the beauty he’s uniquely positioned for.’
Hannah Cummins is a performing arts specialist currently working at Moraine Valley Community College as the Performing Arts and Events Coordinator where she manages the Box Office, Front of House staff, and heads all hospitality related needs. She received her undergraduate degree at Drake University in both Musical Theater and Public Relations. Following graduation, she dove right into event management and found herself led back to her true passion – performing arts coordination. She is currently attending Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL to receive her graduate degree in Performing Arts Administration. She plans to continue working, educating, and growing in the fine arts field to help strengthen the arts as a whole, not just for her community but globally.
Andrei Reynoso is a graduate of the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Humanities, in Arts Administration on the Music track, with a minor in vocal music. They currently attend Michigan State University, pursuing a Master of Arts in Arts, Cultural Management, and Museum Studies. They enjoy expressing themselves through photography, drawing, printmaking, music, and design. When not pursuing a creative medium, they can be found tending to their plants, listening to new music, and cooking for their friends. Andrei has three siblings: two older and one younger. They call East Lansing, Michigan, home while they attend grad school, but they look forward to exploring new places post-grad.
MIDWEST ARTS XPO CONFERENCE | MILWAUKEE, WI
The Collegiate Arts Bridge 2026 conference schedule in PDF format. 2026 Collegiate Arts Bridge Conference Schedule
For more information and panelists (PDF format):
Understanding the Ecosystem Professional Development Session
Professional Development
Understanding the Ecosystem:
Why Every Corner of Arts Management Counts
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026 | 9:00-10:15 a.m.
Understanding the Ecosystem: Why Every Corner of Arts Management Counts is a dynamic professional development session that brings the Collegiate Arts Bridge experience full circle. Open to all conference attendees, it explores the interconnected nature of arts management, from presenting and touring to audience engagement, funding, and community impact, showing how each role contributes to a thriving arts ecosystem. Grounded in the immersive summer program that pairs students with mentorship and hands on conference engagement, the session connects theory to practice. Participants will gain insight into how cross disciplinary collaboration strengthens the field and why every corner of arts management truly counts.
Interactive Volunteer Opportunities
Students will gain interactive, first hand experience at the conference by volunteering in leadership roles, including managing professional development sessions and ushering in the XPO Hall.
XPO Hall
In conjunction with XPO Hall ushering, the committee will identify pre-approved exhibitor booths students can learn and explore.
- Day 1 = Shadow (follow your advisor)
- Day 2 = Learn (sit in a booth)
- Day 3 = Explore (visit booths)
Showcasing
Students will witness behind the scenes with a room producer, and get firsthand experience on showcasing at a conference. Students will attend three night showcasing
Capstone / Project
Students will submit a project proposal by August, and is due to the committee by October.
INDEPENDENT STUDY
1-3 Credit Independent Study Option
Students can register for a 1-3 credit independent study through their college or university.
The 2026 Collegiate Arts Bridge program will take place May 20 to September 25 and will consist of minimum of 40-45 program hours. This does not include capstone project.
For the breakdown of hours of the 2026 program: Independent Study Hours (PDF)
Costs / Financial Assistance
The Collegiate Arts Bridge Program will include the costs for the summer virtual sessions, Midwest Arts XPO conference registration fee, and the Lunch and Learn session on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. Once accepted into the program, the Program Coordinator will register each student for the conference and Lunch and Learn session.
Cost of the Conference
Financial Assistance
Students are encouraged to apply for the URSCA (Undergraduate Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity) through their college/university.
Hotel Recommendation
Hyatt Regency Milwaukee | 333 W. Kilbourn Ave | Across the street from The Baird Center
MAX Secured a special rate of $189/night + taxes. Book by August 21 Book your hotel
Depending on travel, it is recommended to check-in on Tuesday, Sept. 22 and check-out on Friday, Sept. 25 (3 nights = $567 + taxes)
See Collegiate Arts Bridge schedule to plan your travels and hotel check-in/out.
Parking
It is encouraged to use SpotHero to find deals on local parking.
About Milwaukee
Information on the venue and Milwaukee food and attractions can be found here.
Restaurant Recommendations from Hyatt Regency
Major Goolsby’s | 340 W Kilbourn Ave (across the street from Hyatt Regency)
Milwaukee Brat House | 1013 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr (0.1 mile)
3rd Street Market Hall | 275 W Wisconsin Ave. (0.2 mile)
Ian’s Pizza Milwaukee Downtown | 146 E Juneau Ave (0.5 mile)
Conejitos Place | 539 W Virginia St. (1.3 miles)