Arkansans for the Arts, the only statewide arts advocacy nonprofit organization, kicks off a four-city tour of town hall meetings about the creative economy at 11 a.m. Friday, April 26, at the ARTSpace on Main at the ARTx3 Campus.
The event is FREE, and includes lunch, but seating is limited. Registration is required via Eventbrite or by contacting Executive Director Mariah Hatta at mariah@arkansansforthearts.org.
The speakers are:
• Jimmy Cunningham, tourism development director for the Pine Bluff Advertising and Promotions Commission, and the director of the Delta Rhythm & Bayous Cultural District.
• Dr. Suzzette Shaw Goldmon, assistant professor of hospitality and tourism management for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
• Pam Griffin, president and CEO of El Dorado Festival and Events with Murphy Arts District
• Chef Cynthia East-Malik, director of Food and Beverage at Saracen Casino Resort.
The arts town hall includes a tour of The ARTSpace on Main. The two-hour event will cover arts-related issues focusing on southern Arkansas counties.
Cunningham and Griffin will speak about music districts as a cultural resource feeding the local economy. Over lunch, Arkansans for the Arts board Chair Jean Lacefield will lead a discussion. After lunch, Malik and Goldmon will speak about how the culinary arts are a road to diverse careers and professional distinction. Pine Bluff is fortunate to be growing its visibility in the culinary and musical arts, proving that the arts are a basis for economic activity and opportunities.
Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the arts and creative industries, ask questions and learn how they can advocate for the arts with other artists, creatives and art workers, educators, and community and civic leaders. Each town hall will highlight creative work by local creatives and artists. Participants will be invited to become members of Arkansans for the Arts.
Please direct questions or comments to Mariah@arkansansforthearts.org.
Arkansans for the Arts, the only statewide arts advocacy organization, has a mission to advance the arts, arts education, and the creative economy in Arkansas. ARftA's purpose is to serve the people of Arkansas as an independent statewide organization providing leadership focused on the promotion and advancement of the creative economy, on transforming policy in arts education, and uniting the state into one voice with a call to action by policy makers to increase investment in the arts. Learn more at arkansansforthearts.org.
