Muse Conference | 1st Weekend in March
Thank you for Musing with Us
The annual Muse Conference brings together local change-makers with internationally recognized artists, authors, athletes, entrepreneurs, activists, and social change leaders to celebrate International Womxn’s Day and kick-off Womxn’s History Month. Our 8th annual event took place March 5th-8th, 2020 in Bend, Oregon.
Thank you for joining us for 4 days of art installations, films, interactive panel discussions, keynote talks, live performances, breakout workshops and a special youth summit designed to inspires us to reflect, heal, hope, dream, create, liberate. Together, we can do so much.
Each year, we set a theme for Muse Conference and then use that theme to inspire and inform all of our other programming as well. The Muse theme for 2020 is TOGETHER. We certainly recognize the irony in that given that we are all being asked to stay apart as much as possible during this time. That said, we believe it is absolutely essential that we stay socially connected even as we physically distance.
Youth Voices are always a highlight of the Main Muse Conference.
We share inspiring voices, stories, and conversations.
The Muse Hub provides space and time to connect with community.
Muse Salons offer opportunities to listen, learn, and interact.
2020 PRESENTERS
Each year, we feature the voices, stories and conversations of numerous womxn and girls and those who support them who are creating positive change in their lives, in their communities, and in our world.
Activist + Author + Filmmaker
Valarie Kaur
Civil rights activist, award winning filmmaker, educator, author, and Sikh American Voice who leads the Revolutionary Love Project to reclaim love as a force for justice in America. More information.
Activist + Author + Zen Priest
Rev. angel Kyodo williams
Called “the most intriguing African-American Buddhist”by Library Journal, angel Kyodo williams is an author,activist, master trainer and founder of Transformative Change. More information.
Community Activist
Evelia Sandoval
Proud daughter of two immigrant parents from Mexico working to dismantle systems and create more access and inclusion with scholarships and system interruptions. More Information.
Climate Crusader
Jamie Margolin
Colombian-American community organizer, activist, author, high school student and founder of Zero Hour who is a voice for underrepresented people. More Information.
Roots Music Revolutionary
Sunny War
Street singer, guitarist, and roots music revolutionary who defines her place in the world through music and songwriting. More Information.
Climber + Photographer
Nikki Smith
Climber, photographer, activist who shares insights into being a first ascensionist, guidebook author, and a woman who happens to be transgender. More Information.
Tribal Councilwoman
Brigette McConville
Warm Springs tribal member, council member, teacher, business owner who feels that her duty is to serve and support the interests and concerns of her people as a whole. More Information.
Social Justice Leader
Esperanza Tervalon-Garrett
Queer, Afro-Puerto Rican woman and the founder and CEO of a progressive consulting firm who was the first woman of color to lead a 501c3, 501c4 & PAC collaborative civic engagement formation. More information.
Community Organizer
Ana del Rocío
Community organizer and nonprofit executive director who is spearheading statewide efforts to elect more progressive candidates of color. More information.
Youth Activist
Alisha Yallup
10 year old 7th generation member of The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Alisha is a jingle dress dancer who says the jingle dress acts as a reference to the power of women.
Youth Activist
Clara Garza
17 year old senior at RPA (redmond proficiency academy) who started a Diversity and Inclusion club at her school. Clara will be attending Boston University in the Fall to study Pre Med.
Youth Activist
Campbell Dixon
Documentary Photographer
Annabel Clark
Documentary photographer who has worked on assignment for The New York Times Magazine, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, etc. More information.
Musician + Activist
Black Belt Eagle Scout
Radical, indigenous, queer, feminist Swinomish/Inupiag musician who creates music with passion and from the heart. More information.
Filmmaker, Climate Crisis Activist
Slater Jewell-Kemker
Youngest ever Resident of the prestigious Canadian Film Centre Directors Lab, Slater is an award winning filmmaker and climate activist who has been featured by Forbes twice. More Information.
News Reporter
Anyssa Bohanan
Local news reporter who is is a self-proclaimed “Future Oprah” and has been interviewing her teddy bears since she was a toddler. More Information.
Graduate Student, Storyteller
Wafa Almaktari
Born in Sana’a, Yemen, in 1997, arrived in the United States in 2015, when she was 18 years old, compelled to earn an education and get away from the war. More Information.
Author, Educator
Kelsey Freeman
Writer and educator who is passionate about Indigenous rights, immigration policy, social justice, and public policy. More Information.
Journalist
Candice Pires
Feature writer and interviewer whose work can be seen in The Guardian, The Observer, New York Times, Marie Claire, and other publications. More Information.
Activist, Founder
Janet Llerandi Gonzalez
Artist, Activist
Zarina Kopyrina
Born in the Siberian tundra of the Sakha Republic, introduced to the magic of traditional folkloric music and local Indigenous shamanic cultural practices at a young age. More Information.
CTZN WELL Founder
Kerri Kelly
Founder of CTZNWELL who is relentless in her commitment to elevating leaders, groups and projects to next-level social change makers. More Information.
Filmmaker, Activist
Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) Castle
Artist
Marge Kalama
An artist sharing beading techniques that have been used for centuries. Marge is part of Tananáwit Warm Springs Artist Collective. More Information.
Journalist
Arielle Brumfield
A reporter for News Channel 21, Arielle has a passion for getting to know others, learning their stories and being able to be a voice for the community. It’s one of the reasons she decided to become a journalist. More Information.
Arts Advocate
René Mitchell
A creative leader and instigator, a talent convener and consensus builder, René is a champion for creative problem solving toward business, civic and social issues. More Information.
Equity Activist
Erin Rook
As a white, queer man with a minority faith background and an invisible disability, Erin draws from his experiences of privilege and marginalization to connect with people from diverse backgrounds in his community work. More Information.
Activist
Joanne Mina
Born during a directorship and raise in the aftermath of military occupation, Joanne learned from early age that each individual has power to impact the community they live in. Her work includes organizing efforts across Central Oregon to support Immigrant, LGBTQIA and women’s rights. More Information.
student activist
Roberto Iriche Vargas
Recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals since 2015 and a college student who has been involved in various clubs on campus, and has lobbied and advocated for laws affecting the members of his community.
Homeless Outreach Coordinator
Colleen Thomas
Homeless Outreach Coordinator for Deschutes County as well as the chair of the Homeless Leadership Coalition, Colleen believes that everyone in our community deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. More Information.
Comedic Activist
Shanan Kelley
A writer, creative collaborator, emcee, auctioneer, certified yoga instructor and the creator and producer of The Night Light Show with Shanan Kelley in Bend, Oregon. Shanan believes laughter is the best medicine and collaboration is key. More Information.WHAT OUR MUSES ARE SAYING
Kind words from our Muses about their experience at the annual Muse Conference in Bend, Oregon. If you’d like to submit a comment about one of our programs or events, share your thoughts here.
2020 Conference PARTNERS
Thank you to all of our partners that make MUSE Conference a reality. We cannot do this work without your support. If you would like to become a 2021 MUSE partner, please see our partnership opportunities.
We’d like to extend a special thank you to the Bend Cultural Tourism Fund.
The Bend Cultural Tourism Fund (BCTF) is a grant program dedicated to enhancing the local economy through the promotion and cultivation of Bend’s cultural tourism programs. Grants allocated through the BCTF support art and culture based projects and programs that attract tourists to the City of Bend.
Visit Bend established the BCTF with the goal of attracting cultural tourists during the shoulder seasons and winter months – a time of year when the city’s tourism industry struggles, yet a time when cultural tourism organizations are most active.
Muse Conference is supported in part by a grant from the Bend Cultural Tourism Fund.
SUSTAINING PARTNERS
PRESENTING PARTNERS
SUPPORTING PARTNERS
MUSE HUB & BIPOC LOUNGE PARTNERS
Youth Summit PARTNERs
Accessibility PARTNERs
EVENT PARTNERS
At Liberty Arts Collaborative, Central Oregon Community College, Bigfoot Beverages, Infocus Eye Care, Brooks Resources, Awaken Ayurveda, Dr. Andy Higgins, Karnopp Petersen, Curated Events, Euijin Gray Designs
COMMUMITY PARTNERS
Wren & Wild, Bellatazza, Lake Creek Lodge, Joolz Restaurant, Bledsoe Winery, The Haven, Gather Nuts, HUMM Kombucha, Sunny Yoga Kitchen, Wild Folk Flower Apothecary, 3rd Street Beverage
MEDIA PARTNERS
LODGING PARTNERS
A Look Back | 2020 Schedule
Thursday at a Glance
Muse Hub (849 NW Wall Street) and the Haven (1001 SW Disk Dr)
Muse Early Check-In at Muse Hub
4:00-6:00 pm
Muse Affinity Group Meetings at The Haven
4:30-5:30 pm
Muse Youth Summit at Muse Hub
6:00-8:00 pm
Friday at a Glance
Muse Hub (849 NW Wall Street) and Tin Pan Theater (869 NW Tin Pan Ally)
Muse Salon Series at Muse Hub
8:30am-5:00pm
Muse Art Show
5:30-7:30pm
Muse Film: Warrior Women at Tin Pan
5:30-7:30pm
Saturday at a Glance
Tower Theatre (835 NW Wall St) and Muse Hub (849 NW Wall Street)
Muse Conference Main Program
9:30am-3:30pm
Muse Meetups
4:00-5:00 pm
Muse ‘After The Show’ Conversation
5:00-5:45 pm
Muse Hub Reception
5:00-7:00 pm
Muse Film: Youth Unstoppable
7:30-9:00 pm
Sunday at a Glance
Muse Hub (849 NW Wall Street) and Tin Pan Theater (869 NW Tin Pan Ally)
Muse Workshop at Muse Hub
9:30-11:30 am
Muse Feminist Film Series at Tin Pan:
Youth Unstoppable 11:30 am
Divided We Fall 2:00 pm
Warrior Women 4:30 pm
Muse Youth Yoga Class with lululemon at Muse Hub
4:00-5:00pm
Muse Early Check-In at Muse Hub (849 NWWall St) 4:00-6:00 pm
Pick up materials, passes, programs.
Muse Youth Summit at Muse Hub (849 NWWall St) 6:00-8:00 pm
We will be screening a special Muse Produced Documentary Short featuring local youth activists, followed by a panel discussion and Q & A.
Muse Salon Series at Muse Hub (849 NW Wall St) 8:30am-5:00pm
Our Muse Salons are interactive panel discussions on important topics affecting our community. They feature local womxn and provide opportunities for introspection and group dialogue. Our Muse Salon Series will be held in the Muse Hub located at 849 NW Wall St. You register for each salon separately. The cost for each is $15. You can also purchase a full series pass for $60.
8:30-9:30
Community Healing: This salon will feature an interactive ceremony honoring our ancestors and grounding our conference experience in conscious activism.
10:00-11:30
LGBTQIA+2 101: This salon will feature a discussion around the basic understanding needed to be better allies for the LGBTQIA+2 community.
12:00-1:30
Healthcare in the High Desert: This salon will explore local healthcare options in Central Oregon.
2:00-3:30
A River Runs Through It: This salon will feature a facilitated discussion around local environmental issues relating to the Deschutes River.
4:00-5:00
Community Action: This Salon will feature facilitated process of finding your individual path forward as an engaged member of your community.
Muse Art Show at Muse Hub (849 NW Wall St) 5:30-7:30pm
Our Muse Art Show will feature local and visiting artists who are using Art as a tool for social change. We will be showcasing photography, painting, sculpture, and student art all created to spark conversation about issues in our community and beyond. Our Muse Art Show will be up throughout the conference weekend, but we invite our attendees to join us for a special reception Friday evening at the Muse Hub located at 849 NW Wall St. You do not need to register. The event is free to Muse Conference attendees.
Muse Film Screening at Tin Pan Theater (869 Nw Tin Pan Ally) 5:30-7:30pm
We will be screening the documentary “Warrior Women.” Through a circular Indigenous style of storytelling, this film explores what it means to navigate a movement and motherhood and how activist legacies are passed down and transformed from generation to generation in the context of colonizing government that meets Native resistance with violence. One of the co-directors will be in attendance.
Muse Hub doors open (849 NW Wall St) 8:00am
Tower doors open (835 NW Wall St) 9:00am
Muse Conference Main Program 9:30am – 3:30pm
**Full day of keynotes, panels, and performances.**
Morning Session 9:30am-12:00pm
**lunch break from 12:00-1:30pm**
Afternoon Session 1:30pm-3:30pm
Muse Meetups at Muse Hub 4:00-5:00pm
**Opportunity to muse and mingle with our presenters**
Muse ‘After the Show’ Conversation at The Tower 5:00-5:45pm
**Conversation+Q&A with keynotes Valarie Kaur and Rev angle Kyodo williams**
Muse Hub Reception 5:00-7:00pm
**Open to all attendees at Muse Hub**
Muse Screening of “Youth Unstoppable” at The Tower 7:30-9:00pm
**Special screening of film documenting Youth Climate Movement. Filmmaker will be present. YOUTH UNSTOPPABLE takes us inside the rise of the Global Youth Climate Movement. Slater Jewell-Kemker was 15 when she began documenting the untold stories of youth on the front lines of climate change refusing to let their futures slip away. Over the course of 12 years and set against stunning visuals of a planet in crisis, YOUTH UNSTOPPABLE follows the evolution of a diverse network of youth rising up to shape the world they will live in.**
Private Dinner 7:30-9:30pm
**Presenters & All-Access Pass Holders Only**
Muse Workshop at Muse Hub (849 NW Wall st) 9:30-11:30 am
Together in Solidarity led by Social Change Activists Liliana Cabrera and Kerri Kelly will explore the following questions:
What is the work to be done?
What is my place in the movement?
How do we move together?
These are some of the questions that are alive for us right now and there are no simple answers. People are suffering and it is critical now more than ever that we find ways to work together towards healing and collective action. The work of solidarity demands that we do the inner work of confronting biases, navigating privileges, healing internalized oppression/supremacy AND the outer work of defining our role and responsibility according to our social location. We need unique spaces for people of color and white people to process how they experience white supremacy culture in different ways that allow for healing while reducing the risk of racial harm. From that place we can engage one another with love and accountability.
Join us for a two part workshop where we will explore the practice of solidarity and skills needed to build resilient power across lines of difference. The first part will be held prior to conference on Thursday, March 5th, at The Haven. Those registered will get all information prior.
Muse Film Series at Tin Pan (869 NW Tin Pan Ally) 11:00-6:00
Youth Unstoppable 11:00 am
This film takes us inside the rise of the Global Youth Climate Movement. Slater Jewell-Kemker was 15 when she began documenting the untold stories of youth on the front lines of climate change refusing to let their futures slip away. Over the course of 12 years and set against stunning visuals of a planet in crisis, YOUTH UNSTOPPABLE follows the evolution of a diverse network of youth rising up to shape the world they will live in.
Divided We Fall 2:00 pm
Divided We Fall is a critically acclaimed documentary film on hate crimes in the aftermath of 9/11. Told through the stories of Sikh Americans, the film offers vital historical context to the current crisis of hate and nationalism in the U.S. — and how we can change it through the ethic of Revolutionary Love.
Warrior Women 4:30 pm
Through a circular Indigenous style of storytelling, this film explores what it means to navigate a movement and motherhood and how activist legacies are passed down and transformed from generation to generation in the context of colonizing government that meets Native resistance with violence.
Muse Youth Yoga Class with lululemon at Muse Hub (849 NW Wall St) 4:00-5:00 pm
Join Muse + lululemon for a free Youth Yoga Class. We are excited to share the tools of yoga and mindfulness with the next generation of change-makers.
TRAVEL TO BEND
welcome to the perfect inspiration + recreation destination
The Muse Conference is proud to welcome attendees to beautiful Bend, Oregon where we will gather to celebrate womxn and youth creating positive change locally, nationally and globally.
Nestled between the High Desert and the Cascade Mountains, Bend offers a lovely backdrop for visitors with an intimate setting, ideal for mixing inspiration and recreation.
Centrally located, we highly recommend reserving at the Oxford Hotel. With a luxurious approach and distinctly Oregon touches, The Oxford Hotel is also within easy walking distance of conference venues, premium shopping areas, a diverse collection of restaurants and bars, and a number of other attractions. The boutique hotel has an intimate footprint with 59 eco-friendly, urban decor suites all elegantly appointed.
Find more lodging, attractions, recreation, and a map of Bend at VisitBend.com.
FLYING TO BEND
The Bend Redmond Roberts Field Airport (RDM) Airport is only 20 minutes away from the downtown Bend, host to a number of Muse-related activities.
Flights are provided by Alaska, United, Delta, and American Airlines. These carriers offer arriving and departing flights daily to and from Denver, Los Angeles, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Seattle.
DRIVE TIME TO BEND
- Portland: 3 hours
- Seattle: 6 hours
- Boise: 5 hours
- San Francisco: 8 hours
Please allow additional travel time as needed, weather conditions are variable and the views are amazing!
ATTRACTIONS NOT TO MISS
These are just a few of the attractions and beautiful spots to visit while in Bend. Check out Visit Bend’s website for more trip ideas and how to make the most of your stay.
- Mt. Bachelor
- Old Mill District
- Tumalo Falls
- Cascade Scenic Byway
