June 18–20, 2024
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa
2024 Courageous Creativity Conference Schedule
The conference schedule or ticketed events may change or be cancelled due to changes in park/resort, speakers, or general conditions beyond our control.
Tuesday — 3:30 PM – 9:00 PM
3:30 – 5:30 PM Conference Registration & Wednesday Activity Selection Process — Sequoia East Registration
Conference check-in will begin at 3:30 PM on Tuesday, June 18th, at the Sequoia East Registration area of the Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa.
Once you have checked in you will be directed to select your Wednesday conference activities. This is done on a first come, first served basis. Some activities are limited in space and will be closed as they are filled, but there are enough activities for everyone. Each participant will have one “ticketed” event.
5:30 – 6:00 PM Conference Opening — Sequoia Ballroom
6:00 – 7:00 PM Dinner — Sequoia Ballroom
7:00 – 8:45 PM Opening Keynote Presentation — Sequoia Ballroom
Matt Conover
Vice President, Disney Live Entertainment Disneyland® Resort
As vice president of Disney Live Entertainment at Disneyland Resort, Matt is responsible for a diverse team of professionals in the creation, development, production, delivery, and sustainment of a wide variety of productions— from parades and stage shows, to nighttime spectaculars, entertainment atmosphere and world-famous Disney Characters.
Prior, Matt was vice president of Project Design and Delivery for Disney Live Entertainment at Walt Disney Imagineering. In his role, Matt led a team of more than 200 entertainment professionals and was responsible for the design, development, and production delivery for world class projects around the world.
Matt joined Disney in 1989 as a stage technician at EPCOT and two years later, joined the Disneyland Paris grand opening team as a production manager. In 1996, he joined Disney Cruise Line as a senior show producer where he produced three original new musicals for the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder ships. After, Matt served in several executive entertainment roles at Walt Disney World Resort including general manager of entertainment at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and director of planning and production for Walt Disney Entertainment. Matt joined the Disneyland Resort team in 2005 as vice president, Entertainment and in 2009, became vice president of Creative Entertainment at Walt Disney Imagineering.
Some of Matt’s favorite accomplishments across his Disney career include being the executive producer for large scale special events like the christening of the Disney Fantasy cruise ship, the grand opening of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa and the grand opening of the Shanghai Disney Resort.
Matt currently serves as chairman on the National Board of Trustees for the Educational Theatre Foundation. Matt earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from The State University of New York (SUNY), Purchase College, in theatre design and technology with a concentration in lighting design. He lives in Orange County, CA and in his free time, enjoys spending time with his adult kids, hiking around Southern CA and pickleball.
Wednesday — June 19, 2024
7:45 AM Registration Opens
8:00 – 8:45 AM Breakfast — Sequoia E
8:45 – 10:00 AM Special Presentation — Sequoia Ballroom
Nikkolas Smith
Artivist and Bestselling Author/Illustrator
Artivism: The Power of Art to Change the World
Nikkolas Smith is an Artivist, Concept Artist, Children’s Books Author, Film Illustrator (Judas and the Black Messiah, Space Jam II, Black Panther Wakanda Forever, They Cloned Tyrone) and Movie Poster Designer (Southside with You, Black Panther, Soul, Stranger Fruit).
A Master of Architecture recipient from Hampton University, after designing theme parks at Walt Disney Imagineering for 11 years, he has written and illustrated the picture books such as The Artivist, “The Golden Girls of Rio” (nominated for an NAACP Image Award), My Hair Is Poofy And That’s Okay and World Cup Women. He is also the illustrator of #1 NYT Bestseller The 1619 Project: Born on the Water in collaboration with Pulitzer Price-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and award-winning author Renée Watson, I am Ruby Bridges written by civil rights icon Ruby Bridges, Black Panther Wakanda Forever: The Courage to Dream, authored by NYT Best-selling author Fred Joseph and That Flag, written by Tameka Fryer- Brown.
He is a proud 2016 White House Innovators of Color fellow and he is the creator of the 2023 Marvel Artist Series in collaboration with Target for an apparel line featuring Black superheroes. As an illustrator of color, Nikkolas creates captivating art that can spark important conversations in today’s world and inspire meaningful change. Many of his viral and globally published sketches are included in his latest book Sunday Sketch: The Art of Nikkolas, a visual journey on life and a collection of more than 100 sketches he has done in the last five years. His works have been featured and shared worldwide. Nikkolas also talks at conferences and schools all over the country, and leads workshops in digital painting character and movie poster and design. Born in Houston, Texas, Nikkolas lives in Los Angeles, California.
10:15 – 11:30 AM Session 1 Breakouts & Ticketed Events
Session 1 Breakouts
Discover the Intersections Between Arts Education and Computer Science
Join in a conversation about Arts Education and Computer Science in the place built on the use of innovative arts and entertainment technology. Discover the intersections of computer science and arts education. Become informed of The California Arts Project’s newly launched leadership program exploring these intersections.
Discover the Authentic Intersections Between Arts Education and Ethnic Studies
Investigate the guiding values and principles of the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum, surface connections between arts education and salient ethnic studies themes, and discover how a co-equal approach to arts and ethnic studies integration may provide new opportunities for student learning.
Discover the Joy of Movement and Song Outside the Walls of the Breakout Room
Music and movement are significant kinetic forms found in all human cultures. They support universal expressions of emotions. Experience the infectious energy and joy of exploring movement and song in a safe space that focuses on the benefits of joy in our lives.
Open Space for Networking
A space provided for conference participants to reflect, self-organize, and process their learning; connect with others and expand their professional network; and exchange ideas to ignite creativity and collaboration.
This open space will not include TCAP facilitation or guidance.
11:45 AM –12:45 PM — Lunch — Brisa Courtyards 1 & 2
12:45 – 2:00 PM Special Presentation — Sequoia Ballroom
Janice Rosenthal
Creative Designer, Illustrator & Art Director
Janice is a creative designer, illustrator, and art director who has crafted a diverse and multidisciplinary career within the arts industry. Over the last ten+ years, Janice has worked on theme parks, virtual and mixed reality experiences, toy and consumer products development, and character design for animation.
Starting her career as an intern at Walt Disney Imagineering, she cut her teeth designing ride concepts, graphic signage, and producing guest-facing illustrations for the Shanghai Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland parks. At Disney Consumer Products Interactive, Janice worked in the research and development group mixing technology with design to invent new types of toys and experiences including Star Wars: Jedi Challenges, a Marvel VR game for CES in Las Vegas, and interactive toys for Epcot and Galaxy’s Edge. Before leaving Disney in 2022, Janice moved into an art direction role overseeing product and toy design for Marvel.
Janice now works as an independent freelancer, enjoying the freedom to take on even more new and exciting projects.
2:30 – 3:45 PM Session 2 Breakouts & Ticketed Events
Session 2 Breakouts
Discover Theatre Making with History: Theatre for Positive Social Change
“Theatre education is a tool for the study of history, culture, diversity and the human experience as a whole.”*
Learning in theatre is deeply rooted in the study of humanity. In this session we will explore the use of theatre exercises to connect social justice movements with theatre.
*CETA Evaluating the Present: Envision the Future of Theatre Arts Education in California.
Discover the Joy of Drawing Outside the Walls of the Breakout Room
Students and teachers benefit when learning outdoors is incorporated into the school day. Sketching outdoors, plein-air, an ideal activity to support students’ well-being as they engage their senses, hone their artistic skills, imagination, and creativity. Explore through doing the joy of drawing outside!
Leading Arts Education Transformation
California’s arts education landscape is undergoing a transformation driven by the goals and intent of California’s Arts Education Framework and Standards fueled by the 2022 passage of the Arts and Music in Schools: Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act and California’s Arts Education Framework and Standards.
As schools and districts work to identify and address the equity gaps in arts education, while reporting details, accountability methods, and compliance requirements are being created, the call for leadership is great.
Hear from three leaders in three different roles and join in discussion focused on leading for arts education transformation.
Open Space for Networking
A space provided for conference participants to reflect, self-organize, and process their learning; connect with others and expand their professional network; and exchange ideas to ignite creativity and collaboration.
This open space will not include TCAP facilitation or guidance.
4:00 – 4:30 PM Updates & Announcements — Sequoia Ballroom
4:30 PM — Dinner On Your Own
9:00 PM — Special Ticketed Event — Sequoia South Foyer
- All attendees can attend Wednesday, June 19, 2024, Special Ticketed Event.
- We will be walking.
- Please be prompt, as late arrivals cannot be accommodated.
- Please limit bags, as we will be going through security.
Thursday — June 20, 2024
6:30 AM Special Ticketed Event — Sequoia South Foyer
- All attendees can attend Thursday, June 20, Special Ticketed Event.
- We will be walking.
- Please be prompt, as late arrivals cannot be accommodated.
- Please limit bags, as we will be going through security.
8:15 – 9:45 AM Breakfast — Sequoia E
10:00 AM Special Presentation — Sequoia Ballroom
Doors to the Ballroom will remain closed until the Panel is ready.
Walt Disney Imagineering Panel Discussion — “Getting Started on a Career in the Arts”
Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative force that imagines, designs and brings to life all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, cruise ships and more worldwide. Founded by Walt Disney in 1952, Imagineering embodies a world-class design firm, premier development company, extraordinary storytelling studio and cutting-edge innovation lab – all rolled into one – with an overwhelming breadth of expert talent from around the globe. “Getting Started on a Career in the Arts” will feature a panel of Imagineers from a variety of disciplines sharing personal stories of their career journeys and how their passion for the arts led them to Imagineering.
12: 00 – 1:00 PM Lunch and Conference Closing — Sequoia Ballroom
2024 Courageous Creativity Conference Information
A light jacket or sweater is highly recommended in hotel meeting spaces, as it tends to be cold in the conference breakout rooms and in the main ballroom. You may wish to pack comfortable shoes and clothing. Some activities require walking. It can be warm in the daytime and cool in the evening. Layers work well.
Please be aware for the comfort of all Guests, smoking is not permitted in the theme parks, hotels of the Disneyland Resort, and the Esplanade between the parks or Downtown Disney District.
Due to the nature of the conference, only those registered for the conference may attend conference activities, including meals. Children are not allowed in any of the conference activities including breakout sessions, meals, or presentations. Photographs or recording devices may not be allowed during some of the conference activities. Conference ID (name tags) must be worn at all times. Thank you for understanding.
Conference Parking Information
- Parking rates and fees are subject to change. Parking is subject to applicable taxes.
- Rates as of December 2023:
- $40 Self-Parking per car/per day (across the street)
- $70 Valet Parking per car/per day
Discounted Park Tickets
If you are interested in the theme park tickets, please visit the conference microsite for information and access to the ticket store. Some of the ticket information you will find there is included below.
Information from Disney on the Specially Priced Theme Park Tickets
This Ticket Store is open from Tuesday, February 27, 2024 through 9pm PST on Monday, June 17, 2024.
These special ticket prices are not available once you arrive at the Resort and are intended only for guests who are participating in this Event. Only the registered attendee is allowed to purchase tickets from this discounted ticket store link and they can purchase up to 6 tickets maximum. We reserve the right to contact the ticket purchaser to request event registration confirmation. If it is discovered that the purchaser of the ticket is not participating or attending this event it will be considered a misuse of this offer and ticket, and the ticket(s) will be blocked and will not be eligible for a refund. In addition these tickets cannot be purchased for the purpose of being resold.
- Prices are subject to change without notice.
- Tickets are valid from Saturday, June 15, 2024 through Wednesday, June 26, 2024.