Join us!
June 10, 2022
12pm to 4pm
Liberation through Radical Self-Reflection
The Arts Professional Learning Institute (APLI) and New Jersey Arts Education Collective are eager to invite you to a virtual arts education conference on June 10th from 12pm to 4pm.
This year, the conference theme is “Liberation through Radical Self-Reflection” , and will feature interactive presentations from a variety of teaching artists who will share why their art forms are liberating for them, the philosophy and methods they use to engage with students, and how they feel their work can contribute to a more equitable world.
Each presentation will feature a question-and-answer session and opportunities to engage directly with the teaching artist.
Keynote Address: Embracing Your Past and Your Authentic Artistic Voice
Darryl McDaniels
Embracing Your Past and Your Authentic Artistic Voice
In this address, Darryl McDaniels will discuss his childhood in Queens, New York, his career in the pioneering rap group Run D.M.C., his struggles with depression, and how he found hope in an unlikely place. He will also discuss how his transition from rapper to comic book writer, and children’s story author helped him become the person he always was, and always wanted to be.
Darryl McDaniels is a rapper, musician, author, and youth engagement advocate. Better known by his stage name, DMC, he was a founder and member of the pioneering rap group Run D.M.C. Throughout his musical career he has collaborated with a diverse collection of musicians including; Aerosmith, Talib Kweli, Ahmet Zappa, Chance the Rapper, and Sarah McLachlan.
In 2014, McDaniels ventured into the comics industry with his own publishing imprint, Darryl Makes Comics. His first book DMC, was an anthology graphic novel set in 1985 that features McDaniels as a superhero who confronts both criminals and other superheroes whose recklessness threatens innocent lives.
He is also the co-founder of The Felix Organization, which has served more than 10,000 children in the foster care system. Its flagship program, Camp Felix, is an annual sleepaway summer camp in Putnam Valley, New York.
In September 2006, McDaniels received the Congressional “Angels in Adoption” award for his work with children in foster care and promotion of adoption. He sits on the Board of Director of Children’s Rights, a national watchdog organization that reforms child welfare systems.
In January 2022, he published a children’s book, “Darryl’s Dream”, about a young boy who learns to overcome bullies and speak his poetry.
Keynote address: June 10, 2022 | 3:15 - 3:45 PM
Image Description (left): Image to the left is a photo of a man. He is wearing a black fedora and a black t-shirt with writing on it. His left arm is raised, and his left hand is making a powerful and inspirational gesture. Behind him are life-sized blowups of comic book covers. He has brown skin, and a black goatee. The look on his face seems to convey that he is excited and enthusiastic.
Conference Schedule
To view the full conference schedule, click below.
Image Description (right): Image is an aerial shot of a group setting. The group gathered is about 75 people in brightly colored summer clothes. They have white name tags and are looking up at the camera and smiling. They appear to be in a large room that is well lit.
CONNECT2022 is powered by…
Arts Professional Learning Institute.
The Arts Professional Learning Institute (APLI) is a co-sponsored project of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and Young Audiences Arts for Learning NJ & Eastern PA. It is generously supported by the Grunin Foundation and Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.
New Jersey Arts Education Collective.
The New Jersey Arts Education Collective is a partnership of arts education organizations whose mission is to provide the highest quality professional development for teaching artists and the arts education community.