The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is proud to host "Cultural Dynamics: Co-Creating a Vision for Philadelphia," a groundbreaking convening featuring Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD, Chair, National Endowment for the Arts, with opening remarks from Shawn McCaney, Executive Director of the William Penn Foundation. As we look forward to the enactment of Mayor Parker’s new strategies and initiatives, and as we prepare for a landmark year in 2026, Philadelphians will come together to envision how arts policies can foster social impact and economic prosperity. On November 19, 2024, Cultural Dynamics will unite civic leaders, artists, and community members to explore strategies that integrate arts and culture into transformative civic decision-making. We invite the public to join us for a livestream of this important conversation and a series of community-based meetings that will follow. 

Due to extremely limited capacity, registration for the in-person event is available by invitation only.
 

JOIN THE LIVESTREAM

EVENT PROGRAM

Featured Speakers 

• Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD, Chair, National Endowment for the Arts. Read bio. 

• Patricia Wilson Aden, President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. Read bio.

• Valerie V. Gay, Chief Cultural Officer, City of Philadelphia and Executive Director of Creative Philadelphia. Read bio.

• Anne Ishii, Program Director, United States Artists. Read bio.

• Shawn McCaney, Executive Director of the William Penn Foundation. Read bio.

• Denis O’Brien, Interim President of Drexel University. Read bio.

• Jason Schupbach, Dean of the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design at Drexel University. Read bio.

• Laurie Zierer, Executive Director of PA Humanities. Read bio.

Featured Performers

V. Shayne Frederick (read bio) and Nina Elizabeth Lyrispect Ball (read bio)

Livestream Schedule

• 9:15 a.m. | Performance by V. Shayne Frederick

• 9:30 a.m. | Welcome Remarks 

  • Patricia Wilson Aden, President and CEO, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance 

  • Shawn McCaney, Executive Director, William Penn Foundation

  • Laurie Zierer, Executive Director, PA Humanities 

  • Val Gay, Chief Cultural Officer, City of Philadelphia and Executive Director of Creative Philadelphia

• 10:30 a.m. | Panel I: The Role of Arts & Culture in Building a Thriving Philadelphia 

• 11:30 a.m. | Keynote Address from Maria Rosario Jackson, Ph.D., Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts followed by a conversation with Jason Schupbach, Dean, Drexel University, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design

• 1:00 p.m. | Panel II: Arts, Culture, and Community Power-Building 

• 2:00 p.m. | Panel III: Creative & Cultural Pathways to Healthier & Greener Communities 

• 3:20 p.m. | Performance by Nina Elizabeth Lyrispect Ball

• 3:30 p.m. | Closing Remarks 

Panels

The Role of Arts & Culture in Building a Thriving Philadelphia

Join leaders in business, research, and arts and culture as they explore the pivotal contribution of the creative sector in shaping thriving communities in Philadelphia and across the country. Learn how innovative cultural initiatives are driving positive change, fostering collaboration across sectors, and building a more resilient, thriving Philadelphia. The conversation will delve into the multifaceted impacts of the creative and cultural sectors on city development, social cohesion, and economic prosperity.

Panelists 

• Prema Katari Gupta, President & CEO, Center City District

• Alba Martinez, Director of Commerce, City of Philadelphia

• Tayyib Smith, Founding Partner and Chief Strategist, The Growth Collective / 7th Ward Tribute

• Isaiah Thomas, Councilmember At-Large, City of Philadelphia

• Laurie Zierer, Executive Director of PA Humanities

• Moderated by Jamie Bennett, Interim Co-CEO, Americans for the Arts

Arts, Culture, and Community Power-Building

Arts, Culture, and Community Power Building will illuminate how communities can harness their unique cultural heritage to shape and celebrate their identities and redefine their futures. National models confirm that enduring, equitable change can be achieved when historically marginalized communities are supported to build and wield their power to shape, govern, and protect their futures. Be part of a dynamic conversation with grassroots and cultural leaders mobilizing art and culture to ensure that those most impacted by long-standing inequities are at the forefront of building a just, equitable and, economically viable future.

Panelists

• Jamie Brunson, Executive Director, First Person Arts

• Vivian Chang, Executive Director, Asian Americans United 

• Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes, Chief Executive and Equity Officer, Ashé Cultural Center in New Orleans

• Dave Kyu, Interim Executive Director, Asian Arts Initiative

• Moderated by Aviva Kapust, Co-Director, The Culture and Community Power Fund

Creative & Cultural Pathways to Healthier & Greener Communities

Unlock the transformative potential of arts and culture in creating healthier, greener communities. The Creative & Cultural Pathways to Healthier & Greener Communities panel will investigate how arts and culture interventions are powerful agents of creative collaboration and community well-being. Hear from local and national practitioners about impactful artistic and cultural activities that create essential spaces for collective recovery, empowering people to process trauma, reconnect with nature, and build a stronger, more resilient social fabric. From the groundbreaking initiatives of the CultureRX pilot to the healing spaces at Bartram’s Garden, and the empowering storefronts of the Mural Arts’ Porch Light program, this panel will showcase how arts and culture initiatives are not just uplifting—they are essential tools for creating healthier places for Philadelphians to live and thrive. 

Panelists

• Nadia Malik, Porch Light Program Director, Mural Arts Philadelphia

• Maitreyi Roy, Executive Director, Bartram’s Garden

• Susan Slawson, Commissioner, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation

• Clyde Valentin, Executive Director and Founder, One Project, One Nation

• Moderated by Matt Rader, President, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

Cultural Dynamics is made possible by the generous support of The Culture & Community Power Fund, The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and the William Penn Foundation

Special thanks to our partners, Pennsylvania Humanities and Creative Philadelphia

Thank you to our media partners, WHYY and The Philadelphia Citizen

Thank you to our in-kind sponsors Drexel University’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design