Filmmaker Joshua Kissi, former Nike CMO Greg Hoffman, and CultureCon founder Imani Ellis offer an inside look at the thinking behind their most influential work
Minneapolis—What makes an idea matter? How do you get people to believe in an idea, turn a personal perspective into something that resonates with a larger community, or keep going when the path forward isn’t clear?
The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) will explore those questions with the launch of The Subject, a new lecture series featuring influential artists and cultural leaders who have transformed ideas into culture-shifting moments. The inaugural series will bring filmmaker and creative entrepreneur Joshua Kissi, former Nike Chief Marketing Officer Greg Hoffman, and CultureCon founder and CEO Imani Ellis to Mia’s Pillsbury Auditorium this October.
Whether you’re building a career, starting a business, telling a story, leading a team or simply trying to turn an idea into something meaningful, The Subject offers a chance to learn from people who have done exactly that. Through 45-minute lectures, speakers will share the decisions, challenges, breakthroughs, and lessons behind their most influential work—offering audiences new ways to think about creativity, leadership, storytelling and making an idea matter.
“The speakers in this series have each found success by meeting obstacles and limits head-on, rather than avoiding them,” said Bobby Rogers, former Head of Design & Editorial at Mia and moderator of The Subject: Lecture Series. “They’re all innovators in their own fields, which is why they’re ideal presenters. What separates them, and also unites them, is their ability to bring people together, translate human values through creative practice, and understand the power of storytelling as a vehicle for collective progress.”
The Subject inaugural speakers are:
Joshua Kissi | October 15
Joshua Kissi is a Ghanaian-American filmmaker, photographer, and creative entrepreneur whose work centers on elevating the visibility of underrepresented communities. Raised in the Bronx, New York, Kissi has built a career around humanizing diverse narratives and challenging stereotypes through visual storytelling.
Greg Hoffman | October 22
Greg Hoffman is a global brand leader, former Nike chief marketing officer, founder and principal of the brand advisory group Modern Arena, and author of Emotion by Design. During 27 years at Nike, Hoffman held leadership roles spanning marketing, design, and innovation, including serving as the company’s chief marketing officer. As vice president of global brand innovation, he led teams charged with envisioning the future of storytelling and consumer experiences. Hoffman also oversaw Nike’s brand communications and experiences as the organization solidified its position as one of the world’s preeminent brand storytellers and a leading innovator in digital and physical brand experiences.
Imani Ellis | October 29
Imani Ellis is the award-winning founder and CEO of CultureCon and The Creative Collective, organizations focused on culture, creativity, and community. She’s been inducted into the National Advertising Hall of Fame and named a Time magazine “closer of the wealth gap,” an “emerging creative” by Ebony, and a “diversity champion” by Adweek. Forbes has recognized Ellis as a “visionary,” while Black Enterprise named her one to watch.
Specific lecture topics will be determined by each speaker, allowing them to select the stories, experiences, and case studies that best illuminate their journeys. Audiences can expect to gain insight into how influential people develop ideas, navigate challenges, make pivotal decisions, and build work that resonates with others.
“Each speaker in this series lives and practices their values through their work,” said Rogers.
All The Subject lectures will take place at Mia’s Pillsbury Auditorium and are free and open to the public. Tickets are available one month before each lecture date through Mia’s online calendar.
The Subject at a Glance
- Joshua Kissi | October 15, 2026
- Greg Hoffman | October 22, 2026
- Imani Ellis | October 29, 2026
- Location: Pillsbury Auditorium
- Admission: Free
- Tickets: Available one month before each lecture through Mia’s online calendar at artsmia.org
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About the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Home to more than 100,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) inspires wonder, spurs creativity, and nourishes the imagination. With extraordinary exhibitions and one of the finest art collections in the country—from all corners of the globe, from ancient to contemporary—Mia links the past to the present, enables global conversations, and offers an exceptional setting for inspiration. Learn more about Mia in our latest Impact Report.
General admission to Mia is always free, but some special exhibitions charge a nominal fee.
For more information, call 1-612-870-3000 or visit artsmia.org. Everyone is welcome. Always.