Americans for the Arts National Convention
2 sessions in June 1-3, Las Vegas, NV

Putting Cultural Assets to Work: Strategies for Communities Friday June 1, 10:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m.

Arts Extension Service Director Maren Brown along with other key Peripheral Vision consultants Craig Dreeszen and Tom Borrup led this workshop designed to present research regarding how cultural assets can be mobilized in economic development plans. Through a simulation exercise participants received hands on practice for putting their community's cultural assets to work. In small groups, creativity was employed to develop economic and community revitalization scenarios for a hypothetical small town using its distinctive values and assets. The session familiarized participants with asset identification techniques, strategic thinking, and developing partnerships across the spectrum of business, government and the arts, as well as social and environmental issues. This workshop was attended by over 250 people!

METLIFE Foundation National Arts Forum Series: The Role of Arts Education in Lifelong Productivity Saturday June 2, 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Arts Extension Service Director Maren Brown explored the Peripheral Vision project as part of a panel discussion centering on the the question of how proponents garner more support for the arts and arts education from the business community by examining the positive impact of the arts on workforce development. This session was attended by over ninety participants!