More than 120 community leaders, officials, executives and artists gathered at the NJ Creative Communities Conference: The Art of Community Well-Being. They explored ways to make places better for everyone through the arts.
In 15 interactive workshops and sessions, participants explored several themes. They covered enhancing community health and well-being. Attendees also examined promoting community economic development and developing more inclusive and accessible communities. Furthermore, they learned how to support artists whose work help communities. Notably, the attendees came from throughout New Jersey, as well as New York City and eastern Pennsylvania.
Additionally, Jersey City Developer Paul Silverman was honored for his many years supporting the arts in New Jersey – both in his buildings, and through his support for art organizations.
NJ Creative Communities Conference Examined Support for the Arts
During the NJ Communities Conference, participants also learned about the various ways the arts and artists are supported by the state and local governments in New Jersey. “It was inspiring to listen to my fellow panelists, and to be in an environment filled with people who are also passionate about community building through the arts,” said Cristin Cricco-Powell, Head of Cultural Affairs for the City of Hoboken.
Cricco-Powell comprised one of four speakers at the opening plenary session, Creative Financing for the Arts in New Jersey session. During the session, Tai Cooper, Chief Community Development Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Corporation, and Phil Abramson, Principal and Founder of Topology Inc., spoke. Furthermore, Christine Goodman, Director of Cultural Affairs in Jersey City, completed the lineup of speakers.
Danielle DeLaurentis, Associate Director of the NNJCF, joined Tai Cooper, Chief Community Development Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Corporation, at the New Jersey Creative Communities Conference.
The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation and Hudson County Community College co-produced the NJ Creative Communities Conference. Furthermore, the event took place at the College’s Culinary Conference Center in the Journal Square neighborhood of Jersey City.
Several organizations sponsored the conference. These supporters included Jersey City Department of Health and Human Services, LISC New Jersey, and New Jersey Economic Development Authority. In addition, Investors Foundation and Citizens Philanthropic Foundation gave support for the conference. Montclair Art Museum also provided support and gave all participants a free day pass to the museum.
NJ Creative Communities Conference’s Tracks and Sessions
The conference opened with introductions and the plenary session. Afterwards, attendees participated in four conference tracks:
- Art and Community Health
- Community Economic Development
- Empowering and Supporting Social Practice Artists
- Inclusive and Accessible Communities
From these tracks, they selected from a range of 15 stimulating breakout sessions to attend.
Introduction
- Find Your Place in Creative Placemaking, with Kadie Dempsey, CORE Creative Placemaking, Morristown
- Public Art, Process + Hip Hop, with Sherwin Banfield, Artist
- Resilient, Mutual, Development: How to Use Art and Design to Help Communities Grow, with Juanli Carrion, Assistant Professor of Design Strategies, The New School Parsons
- Working with Artists, with Lauren Craig, Executive Director, Newark Arts
- Community Colleges as Local Cultural Centers, with Drs. Christopher Reber and Yeurys Pujols, Hudson County Community College
Health
- Public Art Adaptation for Hospitals, with Robin L. Goldfischer Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Valley Health System, Inc.
- The Healing Stage: Examining the Therapeutic Impact of Dance and Art, with Maria Daniel, Dancer and Adjunct Instructor, Hudson County Community
- Getting Started in Public Art for Creatives, with Emily Gilman Beezley, Public Artist and Founder of Springboard
- Integrating Arts Effectively into Downtown and Commercial Corridors, with Tracy Gavant, Main Street POPS
- Creative Cures: Exploring the Role of Art in Health and Healing. The panelists were: Athena Toledo MPS, ADC, CDP, ATR-P, Art Therapy Advocate & Art Educator and Ralph Andre, Principal and Creative Director. Other panelists included Mean Genius, Co-founder of CANVS; and Catherine Hart, Drawer, painter, and mural artist/collaborator. In addition, several other speakers served on the panel. They included Diane Dragone, Founding Director, choreographer, and teacher at The Kennedy Dancers Repertory Company and The Kennedy Dancers School and Brooke Hansson, Chief of Administrative Services for the Department of Health and Human Services, Jersey City; and Stephanie Daniels, Division Director for Community Relations and Social Services for the Department of Health and Human Services, Jersey City. Stephanie Daniels and Brooke Hansson of the Jersey City Department of Health and Human Services moderated the panel.
Inclusion
- Curating with Inclusivity, with Michelle Vitale, Hudson County Community College
- Art, Healing, and Creating Connections, with Rodney Camarce, Manager of Wellness, Grounds for Sculpture; Sam Hwang, Director of Guest Services at Grounds for Sculpture
- NJPAC: A Catalyst for Economic Development of Its Home City, with Timothy Lizura, Executive Vice President, Real Estate and Capital Projects, NJPAC
- Inclusive Creativity: Building Accessible Spaces in Art and Social Media, with Danielle Lopez, Hudson County Community College
- CAFE 101- Overview of the NJEDA Cultural and Arts Facilities Expansion Program ( CAFE) Tax Credit Program, with Barbara Vadnais, NJEDA Team Lead-Brownfield Incentives, Brownfields and Sustainable Systems, New Jersey Economic Development Authority
Developer Paul Silverman Honored for His Support of Public Art
Developer Paul Silverman was honored at the NJ Creative Communities Conference.
Businessman Paul Silverman received honors for his company’s dedication to the arts and public art. He was also recognized for including artists’ work in projects. As a Principal of SILVERMAN, the real estate development company co-founded with his brother, Eric, he restored historic landmarks. Furthermore, he championed the development of mixed-use buildings. He also created residential, commercial, office and industrial spaces. Silverman advocated for the local arts scene, curating rotating art exhibitions in the lobbies of his properties. In addition, he hosted semi-annual art shows to showcase emerging talent. In conjunction with his brother, he co-founded elevator, a dynamic creative space offering studios for artists and makers of all disciplines.
Silverman, a dedicated volunteer and philanthropist, holds a deep commitment to community engagement and the arts. He serves as Trustee Emeritus at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Furthermore, he holds the position of Chairman of the Youth Foundation of Jersey City and volunteers actively with City Sail. In addition, he supports several organizations, such as New City Kids and Art House Productions. Among his activities, he also supports Team Wilderness and other nonprofits throughout Jersey City and Hudson County.
NJ Creative Communities Conference Receives Rave Reviews
Participants surveyed gave the inaugural NJ Creative Communities Conference rave reviews. “Friendly smart people, talks not trying sell, great information,” a participant said. Another participant said, “I liked that the attendees were a mix of people with different backgrounds in community building, funding, arts, etc. Asked about what they liked best about the conference, another participant said “the safe space to discuss art with community leaders.”
“I have been President of many professional organizations, in my own Architectural practice for 53 years, and in attendance at dozens if not hundreds of conferences,” said Stephen W. Schwartz, AIA, who is the founder of Building Blocks Workshops.
“Honestly, you have my total admiration for the way the NJ Creative Communities Conference was organized, presented, and attended. That was simply one of the best conferences I could have imagined and I want to commend you on the amazing job you did from start to finish.
“The quality of the presenters… and the quality of the attendees was superlative.”
