Placemaking – Page 2 – Creative Minds Out Loud

Episode 53: Unearthing and Cultivating a Hidden Economy

Jessica Allan, former City Planner for Easthampton, MA, discusses the trajectory of the city’s work to identify and cultivate Easthampton’s unique culture and artists, and bring them to the forefront of the local economy.

Jessica Allan has been with MBL Housing & Development since December 2017, and has over 17 years’ experience in land use planning, zoning, and permitting. Prior to joining MBL, Jessica served as the City Planner for Easthampton, MA, where she developed and implemented short and long-term community plans, administered the zoning code, provided permitting assistance to private developers, wrote and managed grants, managed and procured public infrastructure projects, and provided technical planning assistance to various city boards and committees.
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Episode 37: Springfield Cultural District Fuels Downtown Growth

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A thriving creative sector is one of our Commonwealth’s most powerful economic development assets. Morgan Drewniany, Executive Director of the Springfield Central Cultural District, shares their work in harnessing arts and culture for the future of Springfield.

Morgan Drewniany is Executive Director of the Springfield Central Cultural District. She attended Hampshire College with a focus on the intersection of environmental chemistry, public health, and social justice. Her passion for serving all of the population, not just those with a high level of education and privilege, brought her to the field of economic development after graduation.

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Episode 21: When Arts & Culture Have a Seat in City Hall

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Erin Williams, Cultural Development Officer for the City of Worcester and Executive Director of the Worcester Cultural Coalition, discusses what’s possible when arts & culture has a seat in City Hall, and what can be gained by integrating the arts into city strategies.

Erin Williams Erin I. Williams is the Cultural Development Officer for the City of Worcester, MA and the Executive Director of the Worcester Cultural Coalition, the unified voice of the Greater Worcester, MA creative community. The Coalition is a unique public private partnership which shines a spotlight on the creative activity produced in the region and supports creative placemaking through such initiatives as the WOOPass, Worcester Wayfinding signage program and #MakeArtEverywhere campaign and public events such as Out to Lunch Concert Series. With Erin’s leadership, the Worcester Cultural Coalition was presented the Commonwealth Award for Creative Economy Catalyst. In July, 2012 Richard Florida named Worcester as one of the top 20 creative cities in the U.S in The Rise of the Creative Class. Continue reading “Episode 21: When Arts & Culture Have a Seat in City Hall”

Episode 9: A Modern Park, A Journey End to End

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Modern city parks need to be fun, sustainable, green, and engaging. It’s a tall order. Laura Jasinski, Director of Programs and Planning at the Rose Kennedy Greenway, a mile-and-a-half of contemporary parks running through the heart of Boston, speaks to the evolution and cultivation of their public spaces, public programs, and community engagement.

Laura Jasinski Laura Jasinski is the Director of Programs and Planning at the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy. She joined the Conservancy in 2010 as an intern and has become a valued member of the organization’s leadership for her ability to manage complex projects and collaborate across Conservancy departments.

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Episode 1: A New Economic Model for Creative Placemaking

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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.

Mark 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”