NEFA Conference at Mass MoCA
Arts Groups Meet May 19 & 20
By: NEFA - May 03, 2011
Berkshire Creative of Berkshire County, MA, and the New England Foundation for the Arts of Boston, MA, will host the Creative Communities Exchange, a major regional event highlighting successful creative economy work on May 19 and 20, 2011, at MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA.
Building upon last year’s Connecting Creative Communities summit in Providence, RI, co-sponsored by NEFA and the City of Providence, the Creative Communities Exchange will offer 32 workshops led by creative and cultural community leaders showcasing model projects in creative economy work at the local level. The gathering promises a dynamic setting for peer-to-peer learning and networking.
‘We are thrilled to partner with NEFA to provide this opportunity for Creative Community practitioners to learn from their colleagues, and gain concrete tools for implementing proven initiatives and best practices,” says Berkshire Creative director Helena Fruscio.
NEFA will present its first-ever creative economy awards to two projects during the closing session, recognizing excellence in cultural community building. “Though the creative economy movement is global, we know that success really happens locally – through the work of artists, nonprofits, businesses, and civic leaders,” said NEFA executive director Rebecca Blunk. “We want to champion the innovative partnerships and inspired leadership in New England’s creative economy.”
Registration is $80 through May 1 and $100 after; a limited number of scholarships are available. For details, or for information on presenting, visit http://creative-communities-exchange.eventbrite.com/
The Creative Communities Exchange is sponsored by Autodesk, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, MASS MoCA, the Porches Inn and the Red Lion Inn, with media sponsorship from Art New England.
About Berkshire Creative
The mission of Berkshire Creative is to stimulate new job growth and economic opportunity in the region by sparking innovative collaborations between artists, designers, cultural institutions and businesses. Berkshire Creative provides the businesses, individuals, and organizations of the Berkshire creative economy with the news, information, resources, and representation they need to do better business in the Berkshires and beyond. www.berkshirecreative.org .
About NEFA
NEFA creatively supports the movement of people, ideas, and resources in the arts within New England and beyond, makes vital connections between artists and communities, and builds the strength, knowledge, and leadership of the creative sector. NEFA is a nonprofit that operates with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New England state arts agencies, and from corporations, foundations and individuals. www.nefa.org .