Innovation Summit for Arts Leaders
Emerging and established arts leaders from Columbus gathered at Urban Arts Space on Thursday, April 7, for the first-ever Columbus Innovation Summit, co-hosted by Emerging Art Leaders of Columbus, the Lawrence and Isabel Barnett Center for Integrated Arts and Enterprise, and The Arts Initiative. The 30 participants were given an opportunity to network with professionals and peers and attend three “speed-networking” sessions, according to Justin Johnston, executive director of Wild Goose Creative and president of Emerging Arts Leaders Columbus.
Presentations included “Advocating for Arts and Culture. Together” by Ohio Citizens for the Arts; “All In for Good: How the Arts Can Make Healthy, Vibrant Communities” with Cardinal Health; “Becoming a Public Health Advocate through Creativity and Innovation” with Columbus Public Health; “Think Insurance and Art Don’t Mix? Think Again” with Grange Insurance; and “Community Impact through True Stories and Comic Art” with The Sequentialist. This fast-pasted event allowed students and the community to build valuable industry connections and gain professional knowledge about the job market for artists.
“The Emerging Arts Leaders of Columbus aims to provide young and established art leaders with opportunities to expand their networks,” said Johnston. “This event brought together the best and brightest of emerging leaders and industry leaders in the Columbus creative community to share ideas and discuss how to build a more creative workforce. This was the biggest event Emerging Arts Leaders Columbus has organized this year, and we look forward to continuing to bring people together to create a brighter future in the arts community.”
