Meeting the Moment: Advancing Arts, Culture and Democracy in the Commonwealth and America
Arrive early for refreshments and mingling.
Our country is at an inflection point. Our civic infrastructure is under duress. What is the role of arts, culture, and creativity at this critical moment? How do we advance our collective work in Massachusetts in the face of decreased federal funding and support? Join a panel of national and local public sector and philanthropic leaders in the arts for a conversation about emerging ideas, strategies, and models for action.
Learning Objectives:
- Articulate the critical connection between arts and culture and democracy
- Learn from past and present tactics, initiatives, and programs where arts and culture has been woven into strengthening democracy, driving community well-being, and addressing our most pressing societal needs
- Identify opportunities for new collaborative partnerships and strategies for collective action including a call to action for Philanthropy MA and the Arts Funders Network for investment and leadership in arts and culture as critical to the future of our democracy
Hosts:
- Philanthropy Massachusetts (PMA) is the Commonwealth’s leading statewide organization convening philanthropic funders and nonprofits. PMA mobilizes and supports 160 funder members and 400 nonprofit members to learn, connect, lead, and act by influencing and leading institutional and individual funders and nonprofits in the state to address inequities within systems, policies, practices, and structures. PMA convenes the Massachusetts Arts Funders Network as a forum for learning and exchange among 75 funders investing in arts and culture within the Commonwealth.
- Harvard Loeb Fellowship brings together up to 10 mid-career practitioners engaged in shaping the built and natural environment and advancing positive social outcomes in the US and across the world for one academic year at Harvard for learning and the intellectual resources to expand their knowledge, leadership, and influence.
- Harvard Kennedy School Culture and Civil Society Initiative seeks to deepen understanding of the ways culture, broadly defined, shapes national narrative, fosters social cohesion, and lays a foundation for democratic societies to flourish.
Program
Welcome
Jenn Chang, Progam Director, Culture and Civil Society Initiative, Center for Public Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School of Government
Meeting the Moment in MA
Arts and Civil Society in America
Anthony Foxx, Director, Center for Public Leadership and Emma Bloomberg Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School of Government
Strategies for Action
Moderator:
Anne-Marie Lubenau, Lecturer in Urban Planning and Design, Harvard Graduate School of Design
Jennifer Hughes, 2026 Harvard Loeb Fellow and former Senior Advisor to Chair on Partnerships, Expansion and Innovation, National Endowment for the Arts
Closing
Jessica Berns, Senior Vice President, Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives, Philanthropy Massachusetts
About the Network:
The MA Arts Funders Network provide a learning opportunity on an issue or trend facing the arts and cultural community coupled with a chance to network and update colleagues on their current work, challenges, and opportunities.