Beyond the Building: Performing Arts & Transforming Place, Session 3

Performances have multifaceted ways that they transform places, people's relationships with their communities, and community development processes. On November 3, 2014, the Arts Endowment hosted the "Beyond the Building: Performing Arts and Transforming Place" convening to develop a better understanding of how performance-based organizations, and the artists they engage, transform places through their artistic practices. The convening brought together representatives of performing arts organizations from across the country and NEA staff for a day-long investigation of this topic. Barbara Schaffer Bacon, co-director of Animating Democracy, served as facilitator. Support for the convening was also provided by ArtPlace America. The convening included public presentations and large group discussions as well as small group breakout sessions. The public presentations were broadcast live; the video archives of the four public sessions are available. This session included: Snapshot presentation: Alternate Roots. Presentation by Carlton Turner on the work of Alternate Roots and their membership network. Continuation of Morning Discussion Snapshot presentation: On the Boards. Presentation by Sarah Wilke on the work of On the Boards. Survey Findings: Part II: Designated participants presented a summary of the pre-survey question responses:
  • What are the opportunities and challenges to performing arts organizations engaging in placemaking strategies?
  • Discuss the challenges, both internally and externally, for performing artists or organizations seeking to engage in placemaking.