SmArt Bar presented by RADAR Nonprofit Solutions

Looking for tailored advice from seasoned professionals in the field? Pull up a seat at the SmArt Bar.

SmArt Bar sessions are 30-minute, one-on-one consultations with industry expert “bartenders” from across the dance ecosystem. Whether you're seeking guidance on fundraising, insurance, marketing, financial management, or organizational strategy, these conversations are designed to offer personalized, actionable insight.

Sessions are free to all registered conference attendees and take place at Roosevelt University, Room 317. Spots are limited, so be sure to sign up early!

Thank you to RADAR Nonprofit Solutions for sponsoring this Conference program.

Meet Your Bartenders: 

RADAR Nonprofit Solutions: RADAR Nonprofit Solutions specializes in nonprofit accounting, bringing extensive experience to the dance industry. We offer comprehensive financial management that covers all your needs, including complex union payrolls, dance school finances, and the accounting for productions. Trust RADAR to understand the unique financial rhythm of your organization.

Arts Insurance Program: The Arts Insurance Program is the largest insurer of Dance and Ballet nationally with over 500 clients in the dance community. We are experts in coverage issues including Workers Compensation, General Liability, Business Cancellation, and addressing all other areas of coverage to the Arts Community. Also, our Director, Bob Middleton, strangely looks like a young Brad Pitt. 

NEW Marketing Solutions: Nicole Wetzell is the founder of NEW Marketing Solutions, a consultancy that bridges marketing, ticketing, and audience experience to help arts organizations grow smarter and connect deeper. Known for her trifecta approach, behavioral science lens, and audience-first strategies, Nicole makes the complex feel clear, doable, and impactful. At Dance USA, Nicole can help with: Fresh Fixes — bring your latest brochure, email, collateral, or social media campaign. You'll leave with some recommendations and strategies for building better relationships with your audience, plus a special gift.

Chartise Clark Consulting: Chartise Clark has extensive experience driving executive searches, placing C-suite and VP-level leaders who can navigate today’s most pressing organizational challenges. Chartise works with clients to find leaders who can thrive in diverse, multigenerational environments, foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose, and guide organizations through significant change with a collaborative spirit. Her portfolio spans national and global clients, including foundations, cultural institutions, social justice organizations, and social service agencies.

Grounded Growth Marketing: Grounded Growth Marketing is a boutique marketing firm that supports dancers and dance organizations in creating smart marketing structures to promote their work. We work with artists to attract new audiences, expand the visibility of their programming, and encourage greater engagement and support of their choreography, performances, and more. Visit us to talk about your website, brand, email marketing, social media, or all of the above.

Arts Financial Management Services (Arts FMS): As a financial management firm that integrates with nonprofit arts organizations, Arts FMS empowers organizations to focus on their mission while they focus on the long-term fiscal health and sustainability of the organization. By providing a comprehensive scope of full financial management services, Arts FMS is able to bring stability, efficiency, and reliability to an organizations’ financial operations. Principals, Andrea Nellis and Lucy Mallett, bring decades of nonprofit financial experience and believe art is vital to our society and core to the Arts FMS mission. As practitioners and advisors in the nonprofit arts field, their focus is to strengthen the sector and secure the present and future of their clients.

Harlequin Floors: Harlequin is the global leader in performance flooring, trusted by major dance companies and studio owners. We specialize in helping you choose and install the right floors to support your dancers’ health, safety, and artistic goals—whether outfitting a new facility or upgrading your current space. Whether you're facing challenges with flooring durability, maintenance, or financing, we’re here to help you find the right flooring solution.

Arts Advocacy with Bertrand Evans-Taylor (he/him), Director of Government Affairs at Dance/USA, where he leads national policy and advocacy efforts to advance support for the dance ecosystem. He is also the founder of Ujima Cultural Solutions, a cultural strategy firm centering Black art, community healing, and justice-based outcomes. With over a decade of experience in arts advocacy and engagement, Bertrand brings a values-driven approach to public policy and movement building. He teaches at the University of Denver and is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work, deepening his commitment to equity, community practice, and the transformative power of the arts.