Nearly 120 people from more than 50 communities in and around New Jersey participated in the first Arts Build Communities Cultural Planning Leadership conference. The event drew artists, cultural professionals, community and economic development professionals, elected and appointed officials, urban planners and other placebuilders.
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| Keynote speaker Gary Steuer |
In the morning, they learned about creative placemaking success stories in Philadelphia and New Jersey. In the afternoon, they shared their own insights and experiences in peer learning sessions facilitated by members of the Arts Build Communities Council. This may be the first time in New Jersey that so many people from so many different fields came together to discuss how to build, grow and sustain creative communities. Creative communities are those where the arts, artists and cultural groups are valued and supported by community leaders and stakeholders.
The all-day conference was held February 11 at at Rutgers University's Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy in New Brunswick. Arts Build Communities, a joint initiative of the Professional Development Institute and The Leading Institute at the Bloustein School, helps leaders of cultural organizations and communities make more cost-effective choices in connecting the arts and community and economic development. To this end, ABC conducts practical research, offers advice and technical assistance to communities and arts organizations, and provides continuing education, such as the conference. ABC is a co-sponsored project of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and is also supported by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.
Later, participants heard from a wide variety of experts, including:
- Tom Gilmour, Director of Commerce, Asbury Park
- Ben Goldman, City Without Walls, Newark
- Pat Hutchinson, Chair, Belmar Arts Council, Belmar
- James Kennedy, Executive Director, Rahway Arts District, and former Mayor, City of Rahway
- Gail Levinson, Chair, Valley Arts and Executive Director, Arts Unbound, Orange
Bloustein Dean James Hughes, who welcomed the audience, described the economic impacts of the arts in New Jersey and its importance to the well-being of the state's communities. The keynote speaker, Gary Steuer, Philadelphia's Chief Cultural Officer, talked about the value of the arts in revitalizing Philadelphia's economy -- not just in the city's core business and tourism areas but also in its diverse neighborhoods. He also talked about creative ways that funds and resources were used to connect arts with community and economic development in the city. These include using Community Development Block Grant funds, which are typically used for social services and housing, for workforce development and community development connected to the arts. Also, he mentioned a recycling center that provided space for artists who work on the area of found art.
The conference engaged so many people that lunch had to be served late because participants were busy asking questions and sharing ideas in the morning sessions.
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| Participants in the Building Creative Communities session learning about the success of Belmar |
After lunch, Arts Build Communities Director Leonardo Vazquez talked about the community coaching program. This is a new initiative, running from May to September 2011, in which up to 10 communities will receive coaching in creative placemaking.
In the afternoon, participants went to various workshops to share ideas and talk about opportunities and challenges for building, growing and sustaining creative communities.
Conference participants also received a lengthy resource guide, with information on top grantmakers who support the arts in New Jersey as well as success stories from within the state and around the country. The resource guide was developed by PDI Program Manager Deborah Schulze, who also organized the conference. Jane Wolterding, a candidate in Bloustein's Master of City and Regional Planning program, assisted in developing the conference.
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| Participants in the Growing Creative Communities conference learned from one another |
Many people volunteered several hours of their time to help make the conference a success.
- Frank Banisch, Frank Banisch and Associates
- Joseph Barris, Monmouth County Planning Board
- Tom Behrens, Rutgers University- Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
- Morris Bellamy, Independent cultural planning and community development professional
- Brittany Bendix, Rutgers University- Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
- Kristen Crandell , Rutgers University- Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
- Sharanya Durvasula, Rutgers University – Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
- Mary Eileen Fouratt, Monmouth County Planning Board
- Suzanne Ishee, Broadway Center Stage
- Stuart Koperweis, Downtown New Jersey
- Stuart Meck, Rutgers University – Center for Planning Practice, Rutgers University
- Larissa S. Louis, Rutgers University- Mason Gross School of the Arts
- Ann Marie Miller, ArtPride New Jersey
- Karen Pinzolo, Arts Plan New Jersey
- Deborah Schulze, Rutgers University - Professional Development Institute
- Stan Slachetka, T&M Associates
- Terri Sterling, Independent arts professional
- Kimi Wei, Independent artist
- Jessica Whang, Rutgers University- Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
The conference is the first of a two-part program. In the second part, up to 10 communities will be selected to receive coaching from experts in creative placemaking as they work on strategies to enhance their community's sustainability, well-being and prosperity through the arts. More information on that program will be available soon.
Photo credits: Tom Behrens and Karyn Olsen, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
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