program tracks

Economic Development

The first ever Economic Development track featured excellent speakers and attracted engaged participants from a wide range of professional foci.  Sessions highlighted community-based planning methods, case studies of culturally-focused community development practices and results, arts sector research, innovative data management; advocacy strategies, practical issues and practice of expanding earned income; and current trends and their effect on the future of cultural centers. Consistent themes included the heightened engagement of artists, arts and cultural organizations in public and political processes, including community and economic development; increased frequency of cities and towns embracing cultural and creative development as a key strategy for community sustainability; and an increased interest in and incidence of looking beyond the current nonprofit organization model for effective management.

For more information contact Anne L'Ecuyer, Associate Vice President of Field Services.