DETROIT — The Sphinx Organization, a Detroit-based national arts and youth development non-profit organization dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts, is hosting its second annual “SphinxCon” this year, entitled “Solutions 2014.”  

Simon Shaheen will be featured as a speaker at the conference. Shaheen is also a founding member of the organization. He will be presented with the Arthur L. Johnson Memorial Series Award. 

SphinxCon is a three-day conference that brings together industry leaders to discuss solutions to the challenges surrounding diversity in all aspects of the performing arts sector.  The conference will take place Feb. 21-23, 2014 at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center.

SphinxCon will feature award-winning performers and arts industry trailblazers among its nearly 30 featured and guest speakers.  Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with and glean insights from experts like Nigel Lythgoe, co-creator, executive producer and judge on “So You Think You Can Dance,” as well as local leaders like Rip Rapson, president and CEO of the Kresge Foundation, a $3 billion national, private foundation based in metropolitan Detroit. 

 Additionally, this year SphinxCon will feature leaders of the disability field, such as world-renowned violinist Adrian Anantawan and Betty Siegel, director of VSA & Accessibility at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 

SphinxCon includes opportunities for professional networking and social gatherings, as well as an option for attending the annual Sphinx Competition finals performances. Registration is open now at www.SphinxCon.org and is $99.99 for professionals and $35 for students.  However, anyone interested in attending but unable to pay the registration fee may contact the Sphinx Organization to discuss alternative arrangements. 

“There is truly something for everyone and anyone at this year’s SphinxCon – from the newest student to the most seasoned professional,” said Xavier Verna, Sphinx Organization’s director of education and conferences.  “If your professional pursuits or personal passions involve anything from the arts, music, dance, journalism, diversity initiatives, after-school or faith-based programming, non-profit management, veterans services…or anything in between, you will walk away from SphinxCon with ideas and solutions to inspire and empower you.” 

The complete roster of SphinxCon speakers, a conference schedule and information on registration and hotel accommodations is available at www.SphinxCon.org.  Registration is open through Feb. 14, 2014.