MPAC Connect & Learn Lab
The MPAC Connect & Learn Lab is a year-round professional development series designed to support Montana’s arts and nonprofit leaders through both skill-building workshops and peer connection. This series brings together experienced professionals from the arts field to explore timely topics like fundraising, board leadership, arts advocacy, presenting and touring in Montana, marketing, collaboration, and more. The Connect & Learn Lab will also include virtual convenings where members can bring their top-of-mind questions to the community for support and insight from peers.
Sessions are interactive, practical, and designed to be immediately useful, while also creating space for open exchange, shared learning, and community-building across MPAC’s network.
Storytelling Workshop
with Shelby Rogala, Assistant Director, Montana Nonprofit Association
Tuesday, May 26, 12:00-1:30pm (MT), Virtual Workshop
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This interactive workshop is designed to equip nonprofit leaders, staff, and board members with the confidence and skills to share their organization’s story. Participants will enhance their ability to connect with donors, inspire volunteers, and amplify their organization’s impact.
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Key Learning Objectives:
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Understand the Fundraising Cycle: Learn how storytelling fits into the broader fundraising (and awareness-raising) strategy and why personal narratives are powerful tools for engagement.
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Craft Compelling Stories: Discover how effective introductions to your organization shared in your voice can capture interest.
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Practice and Refine: Engage in hands-on exercises to develop and refine your storytelling skills, receiving feedback from peers and facilitators.
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Empower Others: Gain strategies to teach and mentor fellow board members and volunteers, fostering a culture of storytelling across your organization.
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Outcome:
Participants will leave with a polished personal story about their organization, ready to use in fundraising appeals, public speaking, and donor communications. They’ll also have the tools to inspire and train others, ensuring their organization’s story is shared widely and authentically.
Board Fundamentals
with Shelby Rogala, Assistant Director, Montana Nonprofit Association
Saturday, June 13, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Helena, MT
IN-PERSON EVENT!
​This workshop will cover board duties and responsibilities, roles, building and maintaining trust for productive board culture, and storytelling for fundraising. Bring your board questions!
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This event is part of the MPAC Board of Directors' annual summer retreat. We are opening up this board development opportunity with the MPAC community and other local arts organizations. Request registration and we will send you confirmation and details.
Arts & Mental Health: State of Mind Tour
with Michael Rohd, Director, University of Montana Co-Lab for Civic Imagination
Thursday, June 18, 2:00-3:00 pm (MT), Virtual Workshop
​Michael Rohd is a theatre maker, process designer and facilitator who co-founded Sojourn Theatre, serving as its artistic director for 23 years, and co-creating over thirty original productions during that time. He’s premiered new work with partners that include: Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Steppenwolf Theatre, Ping Chong and Company, House of World Culture in Berlin and Turku Festival in Finland. In addition to his production work, for 35 years he’s been designing and facilitating process around complex public issues across the nation, supporting and training arts, municipal and non-profit staff in developing effective community programs, convenings and public engagement work. He founded/led Hope Is Vital (theatre-based HIV Prevention work in DC and nationwide in the ‘90s) and co-founded/co-led the Center for Performance and Civic Practice (artist collective consulting on institutional and system change work nationwide 2012- 2024). He recently served four years as Civic Collaborations Director with One Nation One Project, a national arts and health initiative, and he is a process-designer and facilitation trainer for national Veteran led bridge-building organization More Perfect Union. He is author of the book Theatre for Community, Conflict and Dialogue (Heinemann Press). In 2022, he founded Co-Lab for Civic Imagination at University of Montana where, as a tenured Professor, he serves as Co-Lab Director and as a University-Wide System Dramaturg/Artist-in-Residence. These days, his work around the US includes offering trainings in facilitation and process design (for partners such as NYC’s Office of Mass Engagement), collaborating/consulting with organizations, institutions and local government agencies on public engagement and civic imagination projects (such as American Composer’s Orchestra), and leading theatre/public dialogue projects such as State of Mind, a theatre initiative that addresses mental health through residencies which, as of Spring '26, has brought workshops, a production and town meetings to 35 rural communities out West, and is launching a National Institute to train others to build their own versions of the State of Mind model in their home communities. In Summer '26, at least twelve states will be represented at the first State of Mind national institute being hosted by Georgetown University.
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Session Description:
In this session, UM’s Co-Lab for Civic Imagination Director Michael Rohd will present on State of Mind, a theatre-based public health project that’s become a state-wide program, having now toured to 35 mostly rural Montana communities since September 2024. He’ll describe it’s approach to community engagement, its relationship to a growing national arts and health movement, and the sort of coalition work that’s allowing State of Mind to demonstrate the impact the arts can have across Montana.
The Well-Being Concert Model
with Sam Livingston​​​​, Senior Director, Operations, Weill Music Institute, Carnegie Hall
and Jessica Catron, Founding Executive Director & Teaching Artist, Missoula Crescendo Club
Wednesday, June 24, 2:00-3:00 pm (MT), Virtual Workshop
Explore how musical performances can be intentionally crafted to support community health and mental wellness in The Well-Being Concert Model virtual workshop on Wednesday, June 24. Sam Livingston, Senior Director of Operations at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, will introduce this innovative concert model and share practical strategies for how Montana presenting organizations can adopt its principles—either in-part or in-whole—to serve their local audiences. Joining the conversation, Jessica Catron, Founding Executive Director of the Missoula Crescendo Club, will provide local context by sharing her firsthand experience implementing well-being concerts in Missoula, including successful community-centered events at the local library. This interactive session is designed for both artists and presenters, focusing on utilizing existing local resources and basic production values to create high-impact, wellness-focused arts programming that is accessible to every Montana community.
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Curious about this model?
Feel free to check out these links and bring questions to our session!
Presenter Panel: presenter priorities for the MPAC conference and where artists fit in
Presenter Panelists: TBA
Facilitator: Ron DeStefano, EPIC Arts Management
Thursday, August 6, 1:00-2:00 pm (MT), Virtual Panel Discussion
Get a head start on the 2026 conference season by hearing directly from the people who book the shows. Facilitated by Ron DeStefano of EPIC Artist Management, this virtual panel features experienced Montana presenters who will share their unique priorities and goals for the upcoming October Showcase & Conference in Helena. This session is designed to help artists and agents understand the presenter's perspective on everything from what materials to bring to your booth, to Resource Room etiquette, to our unique Turn-The-Tables and Jam Session events. Participants will gain actionable insights into how their work fits the diverse needs of Montana’s venues and learn how to build the long-term relationships that drive successful block-booking across the state.
Join us to learn the insider tips needed to hit the ground running and make the most of your time at the MPAC Conference in Helena this October.
Grant Workshop: Demystifying Philanthropy with Unfunded List
with Dave Moss, Founder, and Board Chair Margaret Chapman from The Unfunded List
Thursday, August 20, 1:00–2:00 pm (MT), Virtual Workshop
Join Dave Moss, Founder of Unfunded List, and Board Chair Margaret Chapman for a session dedicated to helping arts organizations navigate the complexities of grantmaking. This workshop is specifically designed for nonprofit arts organizations—from large professional venues to small, volunteer-run rural presenters—as well as artist groups operating as 501(c)(3)s, such as theater and dance companies.
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Since 2015, Unfunded List has worked to unlock the value of "unfunded" proposals by providing independent, expert reviews that help organizations improve their storytelling and fundraising success. Participants in their programs often discover new opportunities, with 90% of reviewed groups raising significantly more funds within five years.
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In this interactive session, Dave and Margaret will:
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Provide an overview of the philanthropic landscape and the Unfunded List evaluation process.
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Share actionable insights and takeaways specifically garnered for grantseekers in the arts.
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Discuss how to use candid, expert feedback to turn past proposals into successful future applications.
We welcome both seasoned 501(c)(3) and smaller nonprofits looking for better support and education.
Artist & Agent Conference Orientation
with Emily Wolfram, Executive Director, MPAC
Wednesday, September 2, 11:00am, Virtual Workshop
Join us for an orientation session designed to help you hit the ground running at the 2026 Artist Showcase & Conference in Helena! This workshop provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the conference's unique structure, highlighting how MPAC’s small, relaxed environment fosters a culture of meaningful connection with professionals and Montana communities. Attendees will gain insights into the Montana performing arts ecosystem, learning how to navigate the specific needs of rural and volunteer-led presenters while building the long-term relationships necessary for successful touring across the state.
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We’ll also walk through all the practical tools, from using the digital dashboard and presenter directory to understanding the color-coded schedule so you know exactly where to focus your energy. You’ll get "pro tips" on Resource Room etiquette, strategies for those high-energy "Five for Five" pitches, and why you definitely don’t want to miss "Turn the Tables" or the Saturday night Jam Session. By the end of this workshop, you’ll be all set to make your time in Helena as productive and fun as possible!
Presenter Conference Orientation
with Emily Wolfram, Executive Director, MPAC
Tuesday, September 15, 2:00pm, Virtual Workshop
Join us for an orientation session designed to help you feel right at home from the moment you arrive. We’ll give you a full walkthrough of our unique structure, where MPAC’s collegial atmosphere and networking sessions make it easy to collaborate and connect with your fellow presenters. You’ll get a clear sense of what to expect at the conference and learn how to navigate our information-dense schedule while still finding the time to build those crucial long-term relationships that make touring across the state possible.
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We’ll also show you the ropes for all our practical tools, from the digital dashboard to the Artist Directory, so you can zero in on the perfect talent for your community. You'll get plenty of "pro tips" on presenter-focused events, including how to prep for "Turn The Tables" (don't forget those community treats and brochures!) and what to look for while scouting performers at the Juried Showcases. Plus, we’ll explain why Saturday night's Jam Session and Sunday morning’s Block-booking meeting make a big impact on your season planning.
By the end of this workshop, you’ll be ready to team up with other Montana venues and find your place in our network of arts leaders, working together to bring great performance programs to their respective communities.
Volunteer Recruitment and Retention
with Shelby Rogala, Assistant Director, Montana Nonprofit Association
September 30, 2:00pm, Virtual Workshop
Start or strengthen your volunteer recruitment and management plans in this two-part webinar series. Participants will explore volunteer motivations and capacities, refine logistics to support retention, and consider ways to improve existing recruitment practices.
While there’s no perfect solution to attracting and keeping volunteers, this series will help you better understand why people choose to get involved and how to develop opportunities that align with their interests and availability. Through an interactive format, you’ll also reframe recruitment efforts in the context of changing demographics and needs in Montana—helping you connect more effectively with volunteers ready to support your work.
After this course, participants will be able to:
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Identify the primary motivations of volunteers
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Identify opportunities that meet a variety of volunteer capacities
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Develop volunteer job descriptions and training plans
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Prioritize strategies for recruiting, retaining, and growing volunteer pools