The Association of American Cultures (TAAC) will present Open Dialogue XI to explore global connections, arts, and racial backgrounds in the United States and worldwide. Hosted by the Western States Arts Federation, the conference will feature panel sessions, professional development workshops, and a high-level symposium with topics addressing cultural democracy, technology and the cultural landscape, global migration, and immigration. Doudou Diène-special rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance to the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights-will deliver the keynote address. Other conference presenters include James Early of the Smithsonian Institution; Maria-Rosario Jackson of the Urban Institute; Justin Laing of the Heinz Endowments; Ilona Kish, Secretary General of the European Forum on the Arts and Culture; and a host of others. The conference will include a 'Global Cultural Roundtable Discussion' in which young leaders in the arts from Europe, Mexico and Latin America will discuss next steps to continue a global cultural exchange, continue dialogue on funding, leadership, etc., and summarize their experiences at the conference. Professional development workshops will also be held on: harnessing new technologies for the arts; the future of arts funding in the public and private sectors; and managing a cultural organization as a segment of the creative economy.