Episode 5: National Arts Advocacy Leadership Strategies & Observations

Through Americans for the Arts (AFTA) every citizen in our country is represented by an arts entity that’s working on their behalf to put arts in their lives, their children’s lives, and their community’s life. Bob Lynch, AFTA’s President and CEO, discusses their national advocacy leadership strategies and how they connect with advocacy efforts at the state and local levels, and shares some observations about the current arts landscape in America.

Robert LynchRobert L. Lynch is president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. With more than 40 years of experience in the arts industry, he is motivated by his personal mission to empower communities and leaders to advance the arts in society, and in the lives of citizens.

In 1996, Lynch managed the successful merger of the National Assembly of Local Arts Agencies, where he had spent 12 years as executive director, with the American Council for the Arts to form Americans for the Arts.
Continue reading “Episode 5: National Arts Advocacy Leadership Strategies & Observations”

Episode 4: Bringing Classical Music Concerts to Homeless Shelters

Whether or not someone has a home, they still deserve access to the creativity, dignity, and passion of live classical music. So believes Julie Leven, Founder of Shelter Music Boston, a social service organization that puts professional musicians to work in environments of need. Leven shares the power of bringing monthly classical concerts to shelter guests while engendering hope in music and humanity.

Julie_LevenJulie Leven is the Founder and Executive and Artistic Director of Shelter Music Boston. She was named a Boston Neighborhood Fellow in April 2014, is a 2012 graduate of the BU School of Management Institute for Nonprofit Management and Leadership, and is a member of the Handel + Haydn Society Orchestra and the BostonPops Esplanade Orchestra.  Continue reading “Episode 4: Bringing Classical Music Concerts to Homeless Shelters”

Episode 3: Celebrating A Century of Inspiration

How do you make the most of a BIG birthday? Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM)’s Executive Director Chris McCarthy reflects on P-Town’s rich legacy as artists’ muse, and shares strategies for capitalizing on a centennial.
Chris_McCarthyChristine McCarthy has been the Executive Director of the Provincetown Art Association and Museum since 2001. She is responsible for all artistic, administrative, fiscal, and strategic directions of the largest presenter of Cape Cod art by national, regional, and international artists. In 2006, under the direction of McCarthy, PAAM was awarded Silver LEED Certification as the first “green” art museum in the country upon successful completion of a five million dollar renovation and expansion project. PAAM was awarded accreditation in March 2009 through the American Alliance of Museums. Most recently, McCarthy has spearheaded the 100th anniversary celebrations of PAAM. Continue reading “Episode 3: Celebrating A Century of Inspiration”

Episode 2: Peer Networking – Therapy + Professional Development

What can happen when “departments of one” come together? Betsy Loring, Director of Exhibits at EcoTarium, shares the benefits of multi-layered peer-to-peer professional development (across state lines, no less!), including staff retention, more engaging exhibits, and strengthened in-house expertise.

Betsy_Loring_300by200Betsy Loring is the Director of Exhibits at the EcoTarium, a museum of science and nature in Worcester, MA. Set on 55 acres of natural and landscaped grounds, the EcoTarium offers indoor and outdoor experiences for all ages, including hands-on family-friendly exhibits, historic collections, wildlife, and educational programming. Loring oversees the museum’s Wildlife, Collections, and Exhibits Departments. Continue reading “Episode 2: Peer Networking – Therapy + Professional Development”

Episode 1: A New Economic Model for Creative Placemaking

Is there a new economic model where the business and arts sector better recognize one another? The city-making market has realized the arts are a catalyst for place. Mark Davy founder of Futurecity, describes how the public sector can do a better job of telling its story to the private sector in order to “flip the budget” in favor of cultural partnerships.

Portrait of Mark DavyMark Davy founded Futurecity in 2007 as a culture and placemaking consultancy and a platform for predominantly private sector involvement in culture-driven development of urban centers. Under his leadership Futurecity now has 17 staff members, has written over 100 cultural and arts strategies for large brownfield developments, regeneration areas and urban centers, and works for a wide range of property sector, local authority, and public sector clients. Continue reading “Episode 1: A New Economic Model for Creative Placemaking”