program tracks
Economic Development
The Economic Development Track examines the realities and potential of arts- and culture-oriented community and economic development. Provocative speakers and sessions will deliver research, case studies, and discussions on the dynamics and impact of various elements of this work—including real estate and business development and finance, cultural tourism, and community planning.
Demystifying the Creative Economy
Creative enterprises and individuals contribute significantly to local and regional economies, fueling other sectors of the economy in unique ways. As applications of this creative economy concept have increased, it has become more difficult to identify the organizations and individuals that can accurately be considered part of this economic sector. Representatives from a leading organization in this arena, New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), will lead a dialogue and share experiences from a 30-year history of creative economy work. We'll talk about NEFA's recommended definition of the creative economy and how it can be applied to local efforts.
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It Works! Applying Creative Economy Principles
This interactive workshop will cover ways cultural affairs and economic development organizations can collaborate to use qualitative and quantitative data and research for planning and sustainable implementation of strategies for developing the creative economy. Case studies will be discussed from the perspectives of a small city (Santa Monica, CA), a large city (San Antonio, TX), and a state (Louisiana).
Presenters:
- Kelly R. Lee, Executive Vice President, Innovation Philadelphia
- Jessica Cusick, Cultural Affairs Manager, City of Santa Monica
- Pam Breaux, Assistant Secretary, Louisiana Office of Cultural Development
- Felix Padron, Director, Office of Cultural Affairs, City of San Antonio
- David Plettner, Principal, The Cultural+Planning Group
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What's Working: New Models in the Arts
Rarely in history has so much intentionality been focused on the role and location of the arts in cities. This is an opportunity that requires creativity in the way that organizations are formed, how they function, where they do their work, and what services they provide. This session will focus on emerging models in arts management, facilities, and programs, and provide a forum for attendees to both learn from featured presenters as well as share their own knowledge of innovative models.
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Financing the Creative Economy: Create Denver & the Creative Enterprises Revolving Loan Fund
When people talk about the arts and economic development, they typically focus on how the arts can leverage economic activity for downtown or a neighborhood. Yet, beyond the "we are an economic engine" rally cry, little discussion has centered upon the follow-up question: If the creative economy is an economic engine, how do we fuel that engine? Or: How do we stabilize the economic health of and grow the creative sector? This session will focus on Denver's new loan program as part of its creative sector development plan.
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Creative Society and Neighborhood Revitalization: A Culturally-Driven Community Investment Framework
Mr. Nowak will illustrate the roles that the creative sector can play in the recovery of distressed neighborhoods. He will pull from his recent Monograph, Creative Society and Neighborhood Revitalization: A Culturally-Driven Community Investment Framework, to outline an approach for investing in the creative sector. He will give examples of investment strategies that can stimulate the recovery of distressed neighborhoods. Representatives from cultural organizations financed by the Reinvestment Fund will discuss their experiences.
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Economic Development Innovator
Meryl Levitz is president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation. She has pursued strategies and programs that challenge the notion of tourism as an end product and instead focus on tourism as a tool to build community. With her colleagues, Levitz created the uwishunu™ campaign, a website project that partners with Philadelphia’s artists and smaller, grassroots arts and culture organizations to reveal “unconventional” Philadelphia to people seeking an authentic urban experience. Featuring significant user-generated content, the site connects and responds to consumers in ways expected by the tech-savvy. Levitz will describe the genesis, development, and management of the campaign and demonstrate site content. She will be joined at the end of the session by site collaborators for an open discussion about their work.
Presenters:
- Meryl Levitz, President & CEO, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation
- Caroline Bean, National Media Relations, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation
- Errin Cecil-Smith, Program Director, uwishunu™, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation
- David Kessler, Producer/Director, Studioscopic
- Eileen Tognini, Curator Innovator Collaborator
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Real Estate Development—The Building and Beyond. Three Nonprofit Stories
Real estate development for cultural use takes many forms and is generated from and managed by diverse sources. This session will profile and examine strategy and challenges in three current nonprofit projects: a visual art and performance hub that created 50+ new affordable live-work studios and a new cultural commons space; an arts and education fundraising and regranting organization’s renovation of a historic building into arts incubator; and a community development corporation’s transformation of a former industrial neighborhood into a haven for artists to live and work.
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Thriving Arts / Thriving Small Communities
How do you support the arts in small towns or rural and suburban communities where there does not always appear to be broad awareness of the importance of arts and culture for community vitality? If one arts organization or individual wants something to happen, how do you build on that enthusiasm? How can we support long-term community vitality through strengthening local arts and culture? Intended for residents of smaller towns, suburbs, and rural areas and organizations serving these areas, this workshop will highlight the path-breaking work of two regional arts organizations in stimulating cultural development: the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council in St. Paul, MN. Using these models in Pennsylvania and Minnesota, participants will use publications, tool kits, and other resources developed by the session leaders to begin analyzing their communities and activities and developing strategies for arts-based community building.
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National Creative Economy Network
This new group is a cohort of creative economy funders from the state and local levels to establish a communication stream in order to share best practices and what's emerging for practitioners in the creative economic development field.
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State Community Development Directors
Community Development Directors from State Arts Commissions are invited to join this discussion.
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State Community Development Directors
Community Development Directors from State Arts Commissions are invited to join this discussion.
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For more information about this program or any Americans
for the Arts programs and services, please contact us by e-mail
or call us at 202.371.2830
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