The Arts Alliance, the local umbrella arts-and-culture support organization, has announced its first daylong conference to examine local arts-related issues.

Called Convergence, the conference will gather "Washtenaw County artists, arts and cultural managers and art supporters," according to the announcement. The event is set for 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1 at Eastern Michigan University's Student Center (900 Oakwood Street, Ypsilanti).

From the press release:

"The program will begin at 8:30 a.m. with an opening presentation about the progress of the Washtenaw County Cultural Plan that was released in October 2008 by the Arts Alliance, a discussion on the current state of the arts in our county, and an overview of current and future initiatives that the Arts Alliance will be working on in the coming year.

"Various breakout sessions, with topics ranging from Arts Education, Arts Spaces, Arts Funding, Social Networks & Online Media, and others will take place in the morning. Participants will be able to give the new county-wide cultural web portal a test drive and learn how to make the website work for them. A special breakout session will offer free legal information by attorneys at Miller Canfield about topics including taxes, incorporating, labor and employment lays...etc. This session requires pre-registration, and space is limited. Pre-registration for this session can be done online at www.a3arts.org.

"Stuart Rosenfeld, one of the country's leading experts in helping communities develop their creative economy assets, will be the keynote luncheon speaker. Local visual, performing, and literary artists will display and perform their work throughout the conference."

Cost for the conference is $35 for Arts Alliance members or $50 for nonmembers. Attendees registered by Tuesday, November 24 are eligible for a discount.

For a complete Convergence schedule, breakout session descriptions, and to register online, visit the Arts Alliance web site or contact them by phone at 734-213-2733.