The role of arts and culture is becoming increasingly essential to economic development. According to the National Endowment for the Arts, in 2012, the production of arts and cultural goods generated more than $698 billion to the U.S. economy. However, with changing demographics along with issues of gentrification and displacement, a pressing question is emerging-- how can arts-and-culture based economic development be more equitable and/or even advance equity? To explore this question, New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) and PolicyLink are co-hosting this webinar to discuss and understand ways arts and culture are bringing new economic vitality in the quest for equitable opportunities and places. Over the last two years, PolicyLink has sought to understand from the leaders in the field how arts and culture are accelerating equitable development by conducting interviews, making site visits, reviewing plans/ literature, and hosting an Arts, Culture, and Equitable Development Track at the 2015 Equity Summit. This webinar will present the lessons learned focused specifically on advancing equity through arts and culture in the creative/ cultural economy and will feature speakers from promising practices in the field. This webinar will also introduce tools and frameworks, like the National Equity Atlas and the Equity is the Superior Growth Model framework, that PolicyLink has developed over its 16-year history shaping racial equity and social justice efforts in the U.S.

NEFA’s mission is to connect the people of New England with the power of art to shape our lives and improve our communities. This is part of NEFA’s quarterly meeting for the New England Creative Economy Network (NECEN), a peer group led by its participants that connects creative community leaders from around the region to discuss New England creative economy models, priorities, and strategies.