Panel Discussions
SHE
Prior to each SHE performance will be an on-stage interview conducted by young women who are alumni of the Oakridge Community’s Summer Youth Employment Program. Here, these emerging leaders will ask questions of the featured community leaders.
Oakridge Youth will engage in the same topics as discussed in the Panel in an open dialogue about belonging, coming to conclusions about what they can do to affect healthy, positive change that leads toward inclusion, belonging, and what it means to truly share space.
Partners: Des Moines Art Center, Mainframe Studios, CultureALL, Oakridge, Throughline Arts, Station One Records
Pre-performance panel introduction from Beau Kenyon, Director of Outreach & Education. The Oakridge youth interview asked questions of community leaders Dr. Sara Nelson, Executive Director of the NASA Iowa Space Grant Consortium and Nancy Mwirotsi, Founder and Executive Director of Pi515. April 2023.
In anticipation of the spring production of SHE, an evening of powerful beauty created by the dance world’s leading and emerging female voices, Ballet Des Moines partnered with the Business Record’s Fearless initiative to shine a spotlight on 10 women from our community. Exploring the topic of female leadership, the interview and portrait series sheds light not just on the successes of these incredible women, but also the compromises, fears, and ongoing pressures they have faced and continue to face in pursuing their passions.
Interviews by Emily Kestel | Images by Jami Milne
Art Center Artist Talk: Exploring Art and Audience: Moving Images, Music, and Dance
Ballet Des Moines' Beau Kenyon joined local/global artist, Oyoram, and choreographer, DaYoung Jung at the Des Moines Art Center for a panel discussion centered on each artist’s approach to creating interdisciplinary work that expands the artform without alienating audience.
When Worlds Collide:
The Intersection of Art + Science
The Harkin Institute and Drake University present a panel discussion about the intersection of science, creativity, and ethics. Moderated by the Director of the Iowa NASA Space Grant Consortium, Dr. Merritt Moore, Dr. Mariel Pattee, and Dr. Ilya Vidrin shared their experiences as artists and scientists, and how In the venn diagram of science, arts, and ethics lies a space for mindfulness, innovation, trust, and curiosity.