Meet the New Conference Team

LA-Based mistersychedelia to Produce Conference

I first met Carmen and Matthew Himes this past October at WOMEX (Worldwide Music Expo). I was manning a booth, and they were doing what agents and presenters do at booking conferences: make connections. Word spread quickly that there was an “American Booth,” and it wasn’t long before they found stands X7 and Y7 – Performing Arts Discovery (PAD) and Western Arts Alliance (WAA) – and me.

Carmen walked up, took a seat in a chair across from me, extended her hand toward mine and said, “Hello.” We sat there listening to each other’s stories for a while. It was unclear where the conversation was going. Were they interested in booking one the PAD artists whom I had brought to Manchester as part of our trade mission? Or are they trying to pitch one of their artists to me because they thought WAA was a funder? Then I started to tell them about WAA and our conversation found its purpose.

It’s not often that you find people who have a balanced perspective of the presenting and touring industry. People like Karen Fisher or Aisha Ahmad-Post who have been both presenters and agents are rarities. What’s even more rare are people who not only present and represent touring artists, but also produce events like festivals and conferences. Then there are unicorns.  

Carmen and Matthew Himes are the creative force behind misterpsychedelia, which they call a “360-boutique creative agency” because they do it all. They organize all aspects of events and all types of events such as concerts, galas, festivals, parades, 5Ks, and even conferences. And they are doing this from their hometown in Los Angeles. But as our conversation continued, it was clear that their special sauce is creating unforgettable experiences. 

If we learned anything from the WAA Conference in San Diego, it’s that our community wants an exceptional experience, too. So many of our colleagues reported how much better the connections and conversations were because of the unique experience they had at WAA this year. They started to tell me about their curated approach to networking, and how they create space for authentic connections to occur that quiet the pressure of trying to land a deal. What I heard was very WAA. 

Besides a deep understanding of the presenting and touring field, and a proven track record of success, including producing stunning events for notable institutions such as The Music Center, what struck me about Carmen and Matthew is how values aligned they are with WAA. Beyond her work at misterpsychedelia, Carmen serves as the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Vice President with the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She is also an active member of Arts for L.A., Latinx Professionals L.A., the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, and the Latino Chamber of Commerce. Matthew has served on the Board of Directors for Art Share L.A., HM157, and The L.A. Fort. Like WAA, they are committed to fostering inclusive environments. 

If we learned anything from the WAA Conference in San Diego, it’s that our community wants an exceptional experience, too. So many of our colleagues reported how much better the connections and conversations were because of the unique experience they had at WAA this year. They started to tell me about their curated approach to networking, and how they create space for authentic connections to occur that quiet the pressure of trying to land a deal. What I heard was very WAA. 

Besides a deep understanding of the presenting and touring field, and a proven track record of success, including producing stunning events for notable institutions such as The Music Center, what struck me about Carmen and Matthew is how values aligned they are with WAA. Beyond her work at misterpsychedelia, Carmen serves as the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Vice President with the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She is also an active member of Arts for L.A., Latinx Professionals L.A., the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, and the Latino Chamber of Commerce. Matthew has served on the Board of Directors for Art Share L.A., HM157, and The L.A. Fort. Like WAA, they are committed to fostering inclusive environments. 

At the time I did not know there would be an opening for a conference producer. But I do believe the universe has a way of delivering the right people to you at the right time. misterpsychedelia’s innovative approach and dedication to equity have distinguished them as a leader in the LA arts community, and Carmen and Matthew are well-prepared to help WAA make a successful return to Los Angeles. 

misterpsychedelia will lead this year’s conference planning, production, and onsite management. They will manage the exhibit hall, all speakers and sessions, onsite registration, and create meaningful networking opportunities. Most importantly, they will make WAA LA even better than WAA San Diego.  

Please join me in welcoming Carmen and Matthew to WAA. You can reach them at conference@westarts.org.   

-Joshua Heim