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MASSCreative Leadership Council Gathers for Retreat
In November, MASSCreative’s Leadership Council came together for its 3rd Annual Leadership Council Retreat, bringing together 40 leaders from across the Commonwealth to help MASSCreative build the strongest statewide grassroots arts and cultural advocacy network in the country.
The Leadership Council consists of thought and advocacy leaders from all regions of the Commonwealth who not only engage their networks in action, but understand the potential of building a broad-based movement for arts, culture, and creativity. As regional leaders and connectors, the Council works to win bold campaigns for the larger arts and cultural community.
The Leadership Council Retreat, held at the Walker Center in Auburndale, was full of thoughtful discussions and workshops about how to engage beyond our comfort zone in order to build a more vibrant, healthy, and equitable Massachusetts. MASSCreative staff led small group discussions to guide the Leadership Council in thinking bigger and bolder about arts advocacy and broadening the base of arts and cultural advocates beyond our core supporters. Sharing Arts Midwest’s research report Creating Connection, MASSCreative’s Deputy Director Betsy Groban discussed how incorporating the concepts of “creative expression” and “connection” into messaging can help organizations and artists better engage new audiences and supporters. Matt Wilson, Executive Director of MASSCreative discussed the need to look beyond our core issues and the creative community’s role regarding the 2018 state ballot initiatives. Program Director, Tracie Konopinski worked with Leadership Council members to develop the MASSCreative Partnership Pilot Program, an initiative to deepen relationships and benefits with our Member Organizations.
We look forward to the new year, when we’ll be working with Council members to engage advocates from both inside and outside the arts sector on our campaigns to increase public funding for the arts, enhance arts education, and build momentum for creative placemaking. MASSCreative supporters interested in joining the Leadership Council should contact Program Director Tracie Konopinski.
| Jenny Arndt, Creative Haverhill | Tracy Kraus, Worcester Chamber Music Society |
| Pasqualina Azzarello, Easthampton City Arts+ | David Kuehn, Cotuit Center for the Arts |
| Tracy Barbosa, artist, New Bedford | David Lavalley, The Center for the Arts in Natick |
| April Bo Wang, 826 Boston | Jen Lawless, Massachusetts Cultural Council |
| Dee Boyle Clapp, Arts Extension Service, UMass Amherst | Natalie Lemle, art_works, Boston |
| Sara Brookner, ArtsEmerson, Boston | Seth Lepore, artist, Easthampton |
| Irene Buck, Westport Cultural Council | Ashley Mac, Boston Children's Chorus |
| Cathy Carr Kelly, Central Square Theater, Cambridge | Laura Mandel, Jewish Arts Collaborative, Newton |
| Debra Cash, Boston Dance Alliance, Boston | Burns Maxey, CitySpace, Easthampton |
| Susan Chinsen, Boston Asian American Film Festival | Jason McCool, Aeronaut Brewery Arts Liaison, Somerville |
| Craig Coogan, Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Boston | Jessica Morrison, American Repertory Theater, Cambridge |
| Kathy Czerny, South Shore Conservatory, Hingham | Susan Nicholl, MetroWest Visitors Bureau, Framingham |
| Michelle Daly, MCLA Berkshire Cultural Resource Center, North Adams | Bridget O'Leary, New Repertory Theatre, Watertown |
| Alexandra de Montrichard, Eric Carle Museum, Amherst | Nicole Olusanya, Arts Emerson, Boston |
| Corey Depina, Zumix, Boston | Karen Ristuben, Rocky Neck Arts Colony, Gloucester |
| Peter DiMuro, Dance Complex, Cambridge | Gary Roberts, Medford Arts Council |
| Cedric Douglas, The Up Truck, Boston | Sara Robinson, Celebrity Series of Boston |
| Morgan Drewniany, Springfield Central Cultural District | Aziza Robinson Goodnight, arts advocate, Boston |
| Nicky Enriquez, MassArt, Boston | Jon Saxton, Board President, Boston Singers' Resource |
| Jean Ford Webb, Mother Brook Arts and Community Center, Dedham | Vanessa Snow, Greater Boston Labor Council |
| Ty Furman, Boston University Arts Initiative | Justin Springer, Outside the Box Agency, Boston |
| Bailey Girvan, Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge | Ellen Sturgis, Amazing Things Art Center, Framingham |
| Jen Glockner, City of Pittsfield | Ann Teixeira, New England Philmarmonic and SpeakEasy Stage, Boston |
| Lee Heald, AHA! New Bedford | Julie Wake, Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, Barnstable |
| Julie Hennrikus, StageSource, Boston | Jerry Wedge, Umbrella Community Arts Center, Concord |
| Judith Hoglander, Gloucester Stage | Reggie Williams, Press Pass TV, Boston |
| Kate Huffman, Encore Tours, Boston | Meg Winikates, New England Museum Association, Boston |
| Priscilla Kane Hellweg, Enchanted Circle Theater, Springfield | Lauren Wolk, Cultural Center of Cape Cod, South Yarmouth |
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