June 7, 2011 - 9:00am to 5:00pm
Chicago Cultural Center
Co-hosted with the National Endowment for the Arts and the University of Chicago's Office of Civic Engagement.
The University of Chicago presents Future of the City: The Arts Symposium, a one-day gathering of leaders who are shaping the cultural landscape of Chicago and beyond.
Arts and culture are proving their power as economic and social catalysts for the creative transformation of cities. Strategic collaborations between government, businesses, foundations and academic sectors have helped to rejuvenate neighborhoods, inspire civic and community engagement, and incubate the next generation of creative entrepreneurs. We will explore these themes, related research, and public policies as they apply to Chicago and other urban centers.
David Simon and Wendell Pierce (The Wire and Treme) will hold a special lunch-time conversation during a day full of discussions between internationally recognized researchers, artists, academics, and civic leaders.
John Holden, author of Capturing Cultural Value: How Culture Has Become a Tool of Government Policy, will provide introductory remarks to expert panelists discussing how cultural policies and arts practices around the world are evolving as individuals, organizations, and cities adjust to social changes, technological advances and economic uncertainty.
Further reading and watching:
- See videos of the sessions
- The University of Chicago news office has a write-up of some of the day's sessions.
- This Chicago Tribune article summarizes some ideas from the day.
- Joan Shigekawa, NEA Senior Deputy Chairman, sends a Postcard from The Future of the City: The Arts Symposium.
- Toronto-based artist Shannon Litzenberger shares her reflections on the symposium.