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Amanda Nelson leads Virginia Tech's certificate and MFA programs in Arts Leadership and teaches in the theatre department. Much of her work directly and thoughtfully engages students in the world around them. This lively conversation centers on next-level community engagement through the arts, learning from history, and taking collective steps together.  "To me, leadership is a confluence of characteristics and practices rooted in communication, collaboration, innovation, and inspiration," says Nelson. "A lot of people are doing leadership without knowing that they're doing leadership. Maybe that's the magic of the creative arts..."   Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts.  Learn more about the Roanoke Arts Commission at www.roanokearts.org.

The arts capture the human experience, spark leadership, and produce measurable outcomes, and there's still a lot of power to be harnessed. The Virginia Commission for the Arts has a draft strategic plan on the streets, and in this episode, we hear from VCA Executive Director Janet Starke on what the plan could mean for equity, investment, and transformative community change. Starke reflects on the pandemic, the past year's advocacy gains, and economy-building power of the arts. "The arts," she says, "stand ready to be a partner in rebuilding." Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at www.roanokearts.org.

Southwest Virginia Ballet Artistic Director Pedro Szalay and Executive Director Carol Jessee take us behind the scenes with the development of a Nutcracker for the pandemic, a version filmed for showing on and streaming through Blue Ridge PBS. "We've had the support of many organizations and businesses," says Jessee.  Still it feels like starting from scratch. "If we keep learning together," says Szalay, "we can accomplish a lot." It's the hallmark of a resilient community. Hear the full episode wherever you get your podcasts.

Join Jeanne Fishwick for a behind-the-scenes look at the City of Roanoke's robust funding process for arts and cultural organizations. "We have some phenomenal leadership and talent in our arts organizations in Roanoke," says Fishwick. Fishwick has served on the Roanoke Arts Commission for nine years, with three on the Agency Funding Advisory Committee. As she enters her final year on the Commission she reflects on the City's support for our cultural ecosystem, innovative programs the Commission has funded, and the leadership of local organizations. 

Mill Mountain Theatre is going digital for their summer community outreach performances. Instead of parks, neighborhood centers, and community spaces, the program will be available from Broadway on Demand from September 15 through October 9.  In this episode we talk with Director and Choreographer Christopher Castanho, and cast members of Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical -- Alexia Buckner (Lily), Achilles Mulkey (Sky) and Madeline Walker (Ms. Square). What's it like for the young professionals undertaking the creative work amidst COVID-19? What do they look to for inspiration? Find out in this episode of the podcast. Polkadots is based on the story of the Little Rock Nine and fictionalizes important lessons from our past as the nation struggled to break through policies of segregation. The performance film will be available for viewing from September 15 through October 9. While the musical was written for elementary-age students, it will appeal to the whole family. Register to view Polkadots here. Learn more about the Roanoke Arts Commission.

The Science Museum of Western Virginia makes an art of engaging us in the world around us. Executive Director Rachel Hopkins describes the process of using artists to help interpret concepts. "Science is everything," says Hopkins, "as is art."  Hopkins brings a background in creative placemaking, nonprofit management, scientific editing, and curiosity to her work building a first-rate team addressing the challenges ahead while staying on mission. Hear the interview wherever you get your podcasts. Get more information on the Roanoke Arts Commission.

Roanoke has a great track record of integrating the arts in City parks. It’s symbiotic relationship. From the Elmwood Park Artwalk and amphitheater to placemaking activities along the Roanoke River Greenway and cultural programming in neighborhood parks, Roanoke’s parks are a key component in our arts and cultural offerings. In this conversation celebrating National Parks and Recreation month, we talk with Director Michael Clark, hitting on the Arches project, tips on hiring great staff, and the significant aspirations of the City’s Parks and Recreation Plan. “We want to be the reason people choose Roanoke,” says Clark. Listen to the conversation and then explore Roanoke’s Parks and Recreation offerings at playroanoke.com.

The Art of It: Conversations on Creativity and Leadership is a podcast of the Roanoke Arts Commission. Listen in on short, thoughtful conversations with arts and cultural leaders effecting change in the world around us. Get more information on the Roanoke Arts Commission at www.artinroanoke.org.