Events & Activities
In addition to keynote presentations, topic specific sessions led by artists, panel discussions, faculty sessions, and workshops, the conference offers:
$1,000 Business Plan Pitch Competition (Entry Deadline December 1st)
Each year SEA holds a Business Plan Pitch Competition. Plans must be submitted by December 1st, 2009. A preliminary group of judges will select finalists to present their Business Plans in an elevator style pitch at the conference on Friday. Winners will be announced on Saturday.$1,000 Business Plan Pitch Guidelines
Gallery (Entry Deadline January 15th)
This year the gallery will be juried. You must be registered for the conference to enter. All entries must be submitted electronically by January 15th. A panel of judges will review the entries and select those to exhibit in the gallery. Monetary awards will be presented at the conference. There will be a Gallery Reception on Friday evening of the conference. Submission guidelines: Entries must be e-mailed to aerogers@noctrl.edu by midnight on January 15th. Format: jpegs 300 dpi / approx. 1200 X 900 ppi / less than 1 mg. (For selected large items, you may show your piece in the digital slide show)For questions please contact SEA at aerogers@noctrl.edu
One-on-One Sessions (Extra $10 fee per session)
Several time slots have been set aside for speakers and attendees to have a chance to meet one and one and talk about their art and life goals. Many describe this experience as "magical" and certainly should not be missed. No matter what the art - music, literary, theater, etc. - speakers are asked to spend time meeting with attendees for approximately 15 minutes each to go over their art, answer questions, offer advice, and just chat about life goals as a self employed artist. BE SURE TO BRING SAMPLES OF YOUR WORK. If you have a laptop, we encourage you to put together a digital portfolio that you can use to share your work with others while at the conference. Registration for One-On-One Sessions will take place at the conference.
Mock Auditions (Entry Deadline February 12th)
Take advantage of this opportunity to go through the audition process in a .safe. environment.
Schaumburg Flyers Auditions (Entry Deadline February 12th)
The Schaumburg Flyers are a minor league baseball team located in Schaumburg, Illinois. They are looking for artistic acts to provide entertainment at their baseball games. In addition, they are seeking individuals to sing the National Anthem. On Saturday afternoon representatives from the Flyers will be on hand to hold auditions for any group or individual who would like to audition. While there is no fee to audition, you must be registered for the conference.
Journal Swap
If you have never participated in a journal swap, this is a great time to start. On the inside of the cover the participant will write a topic that they would like other attendees to comment on. The journal will then be left at the registration desk in the "Swap Basket" for others to pick up and write in. When you leave your journal, make sure to pick up someone else.s. Please make sure to bring a journal, we will have a limited supply for purchase. The journal swap is on-going from the start to the end of the conference.
Speed Networking
New for 2010! This year we will take the concept of .Speed Dating. and turn it into a networking experience. If you have business cards, make sure to bring plenty with.
Late Night Activity Rooms (Friday Evening)
Jam Session (Tentative pending sponsor)
Join other musicians for some impromptu jamming. Please bring your own equipment including amps, extension cords, etc.
SEA FilmFest Sponsored by College of DuPage (Entry Deadline February 5th)
Attendees are welcome to share their original work. Please limit pieces to no more than 20 minutes. A DVD player will be provided. All content must be appropriate. All entrees must also include a short description of the piece, bio of the creator(s), and credits.
Create Room Sponsored by Blick Art Materials & Finlandia University
(This is a fun room with lots of art supplies where you can spend time with other attendees creating. No registration is required.