arts & business council®

MetLife Foundation National Arts Forum Series

This year, our series examines models that provide a new way to look at diversity in the United States and how it is reshaping our culture. 

In particular we will look at how both arts and business are addressing the issue of increasing diversity in this country as it relates to workforce development, leadership and management and product offerings through a new theory being advanced by author and cultural analyst Patricia Martin.

Martin's theory says that the "RenGen," or renaissance generation, is a cultural movement created by the confluence of art, education, entertainment, and business that has as its center a powerful new player: the cultural consumer. It defines a growing stratum of Americans who thrive on information and ideas to fuel their creativity and shows how it will drive the next wave of innovation. Most importantly, the RenGen is a way of seeing how the issue of diversity has evolved from statistics and quotas to a new reality reflected in this new trend that crosses race, class, age and ethnicity.

Since May, Martin has been presenting in each of the 10 cities participating in this year's series, as well as at the Annual Convention in Philadelphia. A second forum will take place in each city where local participants will continue the conversation.

Monday, August 4, 2008, 5:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and Metropolitan Atlanta Arts and Culture Coalition, Atlanta, GA
Location: Rialto Center for the Arts, 80 Forsyth Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
You're invited to cheer on, be inspired by, and learn from Atlanta Organizations as they pitch innovative and exciting marketing ideas to a live audience (including you, right?) Discover more about the RenGen and the effect they will have on your bottom line while your colleagues entertain you with creative proposals!

Monday, August 18, 2008, 3:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Iowa Arts Council, Des Moines, IA
For more information contact Mary Sundet Jones at the Iowa Arts Council, at 515.281.4641.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 7:00 p.m.–9:00 a.m.
Greater Hartford Arts Council, Hartford, CT
Location: Hartford Convention Center, 100 Columbus Boulevard
Featuring Keynote Speaker Patricia Martin and local panelists Dennis House, Anchor, WFSB Channel 3 TV (moderator); Will K. Wilkins, Executive Director, Real Art Ways; Paul Pita, Creative Director, Pita Communications; and TBD, Northeast Utilities

Wednesday, September 10, 2008
LA Stage Alliance, Los Angeles, CA
Featuring local panelists TBD

Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Arts & Business Council of New York, New York, NY
Location: Microsoft, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, between 52nd & 51st Streets
Featuring Patricia Martin and local panelists, Diana Ecchevaria, Strategist, Strategic Planning & Branding Group, LaPlaca Cohen; Jennifer Rooney, Editor, CMO Strategy and TalentWorks, Advertising Age (Moderator)

Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Arts & Business Council of Rhode Island, Providence, RI
Featuring Patricia Martin and local panelists TBD.

Thursday, October 2, 2008, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Arts & Business Council of New York, New York, NY  
Location: Microsoft, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, between 52nd & 51st Streets
Featuring Fritz Desir, Principal/Digital Strategist, Fluency, Inc; Chris Elam, Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer, Misnomer Dance Theater

Thursday, October 16, 2008
Houston Arts Alliance, Houston, TX  
Featuring local panelists TBD

Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Greater Hartford Arts Council, Hartford, CT
Featuring local panelists TBD   

Thursday, November 6, 2008
Arts & Business Council of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Featuring local panelists TBD

This program is made possible through the generous support of MetLife Foundation.