The Arizona Mexico Commission launched an exchange program for arts administrators to enhance their skills and foster collaboration with counterparts in Sonora, Mexico. This initiative involved seven professionals from various Arizona cities and aimed to improve networking, professional development, and cultural understanding. The successful program included visits to key cultural sites and has the potential for annual repetition.

1. Arizona Mexico Commission Arts Administrators Exchange Program 2008

2. The Arizona Mexico Commissions mission is to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for the residents of Arizona through a strong cooperative relationship with Mexico and Latin America through advocacy, trade, networking and information.

3. The Arizona Commission on the Arts in conjunction with the Arizona Mexico Commission and the Instituto de Sonorense de Cultura was proud to offer an exchange program for 7 arts and cultural administrators. This initiative built capacity of Arizona’s professional arts administrators through a 5-day interactive meeting with their counterparts in Sonora, Mexico.

4. The experience gave arts administrators the tools to organize, plan, and sustain their careers, as well as strengthen their professional ties. The goal of this experience was to provide participants networking, professional development and a cultural understanding of the work in Sonora, Mexico.

5. Seven administrators from Tucson, Mesa, Phoenix, Glendale, and Chandler participated in the first part of a two part exchange with their counterparts in Sonora, Mexico.

6. Barclay Goldsmith , Producing Artistic Director Borderlands Theatre, Tucson Barclay produces theatre that reflects the cultural diversity and racial diversity of the Southwest Border region. He is in charge of the artistic and administrative activities of the company.

7. Reuben Roqueni , Grants Program Manager Tucson Pima Arts Council, Tucson Reuben manages the grant programs for organizations, artists, and schools.

8. Eileen Bagnall , Accessibility Coordinator ARTability, Phoenix and Tucson Eileen is the staff for ARTability, the state’s leading arts service organization in accessibility compliance. She is also the accessibility coordinator for the Arizona Theatre Company.

9. Donna Valdes , Executive Director Xico, Inc., Phoenix Xico Inc. is a multidisciplinary arts organization that was created in 1975 by a group of local Chicano and Native American artists. Donna manages all administrative and program activities for the organization.

10. Laura Matzer , Curator of Education Arizona Museum for Youth, Mesa The Arizona Museum for Youth inspires children of all ages to view the world differently through art, creativity and imagination. Laura manages all education programs for the museum.

11. Mia Hansen , President Cultural Exchange Council, Tucson Mia manages the Tucson Meet Yourself Festival, celebrating Southern Arizona’s folk and ethnic communities

12. Jose Gibran Villalobos , Collections and Exhibits Coordinator City of Glendale Arts Commission, Glendale Gibran, a member of the Emerging Leaders program works with the City of Glendale Arts Commission’s public art program.

13. The group visited local landmarks, theatres, galleries, the University, museums, and observed young peoples classes in the arts. During a visit to the Governor’s Palace, we were greeted warmly by Sonora Governor Eduardo Bours.

14. Out of the exchange came a number of tangible items; a tour of Borderlands Theatre from Tucson to Hermosillo and a possible exhibition of photographs from Mexico in Glendale. We will host our Sonoran counterparts in Tucson and Phoenix in the spring

16. The exchange was an incredible success, it is our hope to repeat it annually. All the participants gained a new view of the arts in Mexico and learned new ways of increasing participation and growing audiences

17. Greetings from Sonora, Mexico