2025 Spring and Summer Arts Professional Development Series
On May 17, 2025, Jamie Bell from The Arts Incubator Winnipeg and Art Borups Corners Art Collective delivered a powerful and engaging professional development session titled “Communicating for the Arts!” The workshop brought together artists, collective organizers, and nonprofit leaders for a deep dive into the vital — yet often overlooked — practice of communication within the arts and cultural sectors. As a longtime communicator for the arts and public sectors, based in Winnipeg and active across Northwestern Ontario, Jamie drew on years of experience to unpack what effective communication really means and why it matters now more than ever.
The session began by grounding participants in the basics: what communication is and why it forms the backbone of sustainability and impact for arts collectives, community programs, and creative nonprofits. Jamie emphasized that communication isn’t just about publicity — it’s about storytelling, visibility, and connection. It is how organizations demonstrate relevance, engage their audiences, and show funders the difference they make. He noted that many groups, especially in smaller communities and northern regions, are doing remarkable work yet remain virtually invisible because they are not communicating consistently or strategically.
Many groups and projects do not communicate effectively
A striking part of the presentation focused on the reality that “many are not communicating.” Jamie drove home this point with honesty and urgency — highlighting how incredible projects, exhibitions, and community initiatives often go unnoticed due to a lack of updates, press releases, or online presence. Without sharing their stories, many collectives miss vital opportunities for collaboration, recognition, and support. This silence, he noted, is one of the greatest barriers to growth and sustainability in the arts ecosystem.
Participants explored practical ways to communicate their impacts, outcomes, and activities, from writing simple updates to creating media releases and digital newsletters. Jamie demonstrated how a content management system (CMS) like WordPress can make it easy for collectives to manage websites, publish news, and archive their work. The workshop also covered writing techniques for clear, concise, and engaging press releases, providing participants with accessible templates and examples they could adapt for their organizations.
In one of the most forward-looking sections, Jamie integrated findings from the ICCO World PR Report 2024–2025, which revealed that 79% of PR professionals believe artificial intelligence (AI) will significantly impact their work, and 86% consider AI mastery a critical skill for today’s communicators. Connecting this to the arts, he demonstrated how tools like ChatGPT can help with drafting media releases, refining messaging, and brainstorming creative campaigns — not as a replacement for human creativity, but as a support for it. This discussion underscored how the future of arts communication is already being reshaped by AI-driven tools.
By the end of the workshop, participants left with a stronger understanding of communication as both a strategic and creative act. Jamie encouraged them to view communication as a form of storytelling that amplifies their impact, strengthens their communities, and ensures their voices are heard. For many, it was a wake-up call — and an invitation to start telling their stories boldly, consistently, and with confidence.
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