Sophia Hernandez from the prestigious not-for-profit New York City arts organization Art in General (AIG) contacted AAI, requesting that AAI come to them to teach a one day informational seminar on how to run a panel process like the one AAI runs for its studio programs. Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) heard that we were doing so and requested that they be allowed to send someone to attend as well.

AAI has received praise in the past from New York Foundation For The Arts (NYFA) for the quality work we do in running our studio program and panel process. AAI was extremely honored that such long-standing and venerable institutions such as LMCC and AIG would seek training from our young organization.

It is a true testament to AAI and the work we do, and we can all be very proud of it. Paul Clay - Director of Programming and Development, and Suzanne Varni - Coordinator for the AAI Studio Program, gave the seminar and found the discussion lively and enjoyable.

Everything from technology implementation, to materials preparation, systems for running the Panel, and even core philosophy regarding programs was discussed.

AAI received a nice followup email from AIG thanking Paul and Suzanne "for your wonderful assistance with our new Commissions informational session... It was extremely useful."