ABC Director to provide advice on arts-based economic development in suburbs and small towns

By Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP

Please join Arts Build Communities at "Creative Place-Making: Realizing the Potential of Arts and Culture in Community and Economic Development," a public event organized and hosted by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission  Friday, June 29, from 9 am to 2 pm in its offices in Philadelphia.

You can learn from a number of experts in creative placemaking in the morning and share ideas with your colleagues in the afternoon. Invited speakers include: Jane Golden, Executive Director of the Mural Arts Program in Philadelphia; Brian O'Leary, Section Chief of County Planning, Montgomery County (PA) Planning Commission; Nancy DeLucia, Director of Policy & Community Engagement, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance; and me (Leonardo Vazquez), the Director of Arts Build Communities of Rutgers University.

My presentation is "Arts-Based Economic Development Strategies in Non-Traditional Areas: What We Can Do Now."  I'm going to focus on what small towns and suburbs can do to get the benefits of the creative economy.  In the afternoon, I will help facilitate in the peer exchange.

To get updates, information on how to register, and directions, please visit the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission site.  The commission is located at 190 N. Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA  19106.

Please also plan to stay in Philly after the event.  It's a great city to visit, especially if you enjoy the arts.