arts & business council®

MetLife Foundation National Arts Forum Series

This year, our series examines models that provide a new way to look at diversity in the United States and how it is reshaping our culture. 

In particular we will look at how both arts and business are addressing the issue of increasing diversity in this country as it relates to workforce development, leadership and management and product offerings through a new theory being advanced by author and cultural analyst Patricia Martin.

Martin's theory says that the "RenGen," or renaissance generation, is a cultural movement created by the confluence of art, education, entertainment, and business that has as its center a powerful new player: the cultural consumer. It defines a growing stratum of Americans who thrive on information and ideas to fuel their creativity and shows how it will drive the next wave of innovation. Most importantly, the RenGen is a way of seeing how the issue of diversity has evolved from statistics and quotas to a new reality reflected in this new trend that crosses race, class, age and ethnicity.

Martin will present (see dates below) in each of the 10 cities participating in this year's series, as well as at the Annual Convention in Philadelphia. A second forum will take place in each city where local participants will continue the conversation.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Houston Arts Alliance, Houston, TX 
Featuring Patricia Martin and local panelists:
Hamilton Masters, Manager of  E-Commerce & Internet Marketing, Gallery Furniture
Heather Pray, Founder, Houston Young People for the Arts
Ed Schipul, Chief Executive Officer, Schipul - The Web Marketing Company
Claudia Solis, Promotions Manager, Museum of Fine Arts - Houston, Starbucks Mixed Media Series

Thursday, May 29, 2008
Arts & Business Council of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Featuring Patricia Martin and local panelists:
Marj Halperin, Strategic Communications & Public Affairs, Consultant and Political Commentator on WGN-TV
Fran Johns, Demand Consulting and former SVP Creative Strategist, DDB Worldwide Communications Group
Tony Sarabia, Host of Radio M; Chicago Public Radio, WBEZ FM (moderator)

Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Iowa Arts Council, Des Moines, IA
Featuring Patricia Martin and local panelists:
Rekha Basu, The Des Moines Register columnist (moderator)
Jeff Chelesvig, BRAVO member and president of Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
Barry Griswell, CEO of The Principal Financial Group and incoming president of Greater Des Moines Community Foundation
Savan Thongvanh, chair of Des Moines Art Center’s Art Noir group and member of Young Professionals Connection

Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Tampa Bay Business Committee for the Arts, Tampa, FL
Featuring Patricia Martin and local panelists TBD.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
Featuring Patricia Martin and local panelists TBD.

Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Greater Hartford Arts Council, Hartford, CT
Featuring Patricia Martin and local panelists TBD.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Arts & Business Council of New York, New York, NY
Featuring Patricia Martin and local panelists TBD.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Arts & Business Council of Rhode Island, Providence, RI
Featuring Patricia Martin and local panelists TBD.

Thursday, October 2, 2008
Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston, Boston, MA
Featuring Patricia Martin and local panelists TBD.

This program is made possible through the generous support of MetLife Foundation.