Network Forums
Network forums provide focused discussion and networking for opera company staff, trustees, artists, and educators working in shared professional specialties.
These multiday symposia complement the interdisciplinary Opera Conference by concentrating on specific topics of:
- Artistic Administration
- Development
- Education/Community Engagement
- Finance/HR
- Governance
- Marketing/PR
- New Works
- Performer Development
- Technical/Production
These forums provide participants with opportunities to explore common issues, share strategies for success, and build a network of support.
Forum Details
Participation in network forums is open to the staff of OPERA America’s Professional Company Members, with three exceptions:
- The staff of Educational Producing Associates may participate in the Performer Development Forum.
- Board members of Professional Company Members may participate in the National Trustee Forum.
- The staff of all OPERA America organizational members and artists may participate in the New Works Forum by invitation.
Dates and Registration
Professional Company Member and Educational Producing Affiliate staff can log in to view forum dates and register in their membership portals. To learn about becoming a member, visit Organizational Membership.
Forum Descriptions
Artistic Administration
The Artistic Administration Forum focuses on topics of casting and contracting practices, repertoire selection and season planning, services for artists, software for scheduling and contract management, hiring and regulations for foreign artists, and succession planning.
Development Forum
The Development Forum allows fundraising professionals to keep abreast of the latest regulations governing contributed income and to discuss best practices for obtaining, retaining, and increasing the gifts that are vital to the production of opera.
Education/Community Engagement Forum
The Education/Community Engagement Forum shares lessons learned from across the field about opera education programs, arts integration, assessment and evaluation procedures, community engagement projects, and more.
Finance/HR Forum
The Finance/HR Forum is dedicated to improving practices and encouraging the exchange of information among those working in finance, human resources, information systems, and general administration.
Marketing/PR Forum
The Marketing/PR Forum provides an opportunity to discuss topics such as audience engagement and retention, the shifting media landscape, and communication strategies for a digital society.
National Trustee Forum
The National Trustee Forum welcomes trustees for sessions on board recruitment and engagement strategies, committee structures, board/staff dynamics, leadership succession, and other topics that build trustee understanding of company operations.
New Works Forum
The New Works Forum convenes composers, librettists, designers, producers, and publishers to ask questions and share knowledge about methods for successfully creating and producing new operas. Forum participants also enjoy performances of new works throughout New York City.
Performer Development Forum
The Performer Development Forum facilitates dialogue between voice teachers, young artist program managers, administrators, artist managers, and others to share resources and improve methods for identifying and training talented singers.
Technical/Production Forum
The Technical/Production Forum shares successful practices about the demands of mounting new and existing productions, developing co-productions, and carrying out other activities required by the art form.
For questions about participating in forums, contact us at Membership@operaamerica.org or 646.699.5238.