Workshops & Panels
Bounce Innovation Hub| Friday, May 22, 2026 | 9:00am-3:00pm
10:30-11:30am
Art Activates Change
Discover how art fuels resistance and drives social change. This dynamic session explores protest imagery, powerful slogans, and storytelling rooted in lived experience. Participants will collaborate to craft a bold, unifying message with the potential to be featured on Akron Black Artist Guild merchandise.
9:15-10:15am Opening Plenary
Culture, Commerce & Creative Ownership
Where culture meets business. This high energy plenary explores how fashion, streetwear, and design shape economic ecosystems and build powerful brands. Discover how to monetize your creative identity without losing authenticity, turn everyday objects into storytelling platforms, and move from idea to product to distribution. Leave inspired to see your creativity as both cultural influence and economic power.
10:30-11:30am
“Am I a Business?”
Turn your creativity into a sustainable business. Led by a small business counselor, this practical session breaks down LLCs and sole proprietorships, budgeting for artists, tax write-offs, and studio setup options. Walk away with clarity and a simple 6-month financial action plan.
10:30-11:30am
“What Does Your Portfolio Say About You?”
Make sure your work speaks before you do. This interactive session helps artists evaluate their portfolio through a curator’s lens, strengthen their artist statement, refine their brand message, and craft a confident elevator pitch. Leave with a clear checklist to elevate your presentation and impact.
11:45-12:45pm
Rest Is Resistance
Recharge your creativity and embrace rest as a powerful act. This wellness-focused session teaches grounding techniques, helps recognize burnout, and guides artists in building sustainable creative habits and personal affirmations for resilience.
11:45-12:45pm
Bringing Your Character to Life
Build characters that feel real and stories that resonate. This engaging workshop guides writers through character development, world-building, conflict creation, and authentic dialogue equipping you with practical tools to strengthen narrative consistency and bring your stories to life.
11:45-12:45pm
Creative Exchange Design Showcase:
“Meet the Artists!”
Step inside the creative process. Meet the Design Challenge teams as they share how they transformed blank spaces into immersive artistic experiences. Learn about collaboration, sourcing, and execution while connecting directly with artists and exploring future partnership opportunities.
12:45-1:30pm
Lunch & Networking: Connect, Explore, and Celebrate
Take a break and fuel up while connecting with fellow creatives! Enjoy a lively networking lunch featuring local vendors and resource tables from organizations supporting artists and creative businesses. This is your chance to exchange ideas, discover new opportunities, and celebrate the day’s creativity. Don’t miss the excitement of voting for the Design Challenge winner as we highlight innovative projects and honor the artists bringing bold ideas to life.
1:45-2:30pm
Keynote Speaker
Commerce & Trade: Scaling Your Creative Business Globally
Join keynote speaker Michel Nouafo for a dynamic session centered on the power of commerce and trade in the creative economy. Drawing from their expertise with the U.S. Commercial Service at the International Trade Administration, they will explore how artists and creative entrepreneurs can leverage global trade to expand their reach and revenue.
This conversation will highlight practical pathways for entering international markets, building cross-border partnerships, and thinking beyond your local community. Attendees will gain insight into how a strong understanding of trade and commerce can transform creative work into sustainable, scalable businesses with global impact.
2:45-3:00pm
Installation Team Winners!
Closing remarks from Akron Black Artist Guild.
See you next year!
$25 Student Registration
$35.00 General Registration
Make an impact today
Support Creative Exchange that equips artists with practical tools and critical insights that spur professional growth. ABAG’s ultimate goal is to support artists potential impact on Akron's cultural, creative, and economic landscape.