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.
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.
PROGRAM
Professional Development
There will be four 90-min virtual summer sessions:
- Behind the Curtain: The Good, The Bad & The Standing Ovation
- Agent vs. Artist Manager: What Sets Them Apart?
- The Startup Artist
- Conferencing 101: The Practical Guide You Need
At the Conference:
- PD Session “Understanding the Ecosystem: Why Every Corner of Arts Management Counts”
- Quick Chats, a rapid networking for students to get to know presenters, agents, and artists in the field during Coffee Connect
- New Colleague Program, where students are paired with advisors in the field they are interested in
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.
ELIGIBILITY
Junior, senior, or grad students enrolled at a Midwest college/university for fall 2026 with a degree focused in the performing arts. The 2026 class will be no more than 20 students, so each student receives hands-on valuable experience outside the classroom.
Application opens March 1, 2026
Deadline to apply is March 31, 2026
Notification by committee is April 15, 2026
2 Credit Independent Student
Information on how students can register for a 2 credit independent study through their college or university will be available soon.
Costs / Financial Assistance
The program will include student registration fee and the Professional Development lunch/learn session.
Cost of the Conference
More information coming soon related to lodging, travel, meals, and other expenses.
- Students are encouraged to apply for the URSCA (Undergraduate Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity) through their college/university.