arts & business council®

MetLife Foundation National Arts Forum Series

2008 Series: New Frameworks for The Changing Face of America

This year, our series examines models that provide a new way to look at diversity in the United States and how it is reshaping our culture. 

In particular we will look at how both arts and business are addressing the issue of increasing diversity in this country as it relates to workforce development, leadership and management and product offerings through a new theory being advanced by author and cultural analyst Patricia Martin.

Martin's theory says that the "RenGen", short for renaissance generation, is a cultural movement created by the confluence of art, education, entertainment, and business that has as its center a powerful new player: the cultural consumer. It defines a growing stratum of Americans who thrive on information and ideas to fuel their creativity and shows how it will drive the next wave of innovation. Most importantly, the Ren Gen is a way of seeing how the issue of diversity has evolved from statistics and quotas to a new reality reflected in this new trend that crosses race, class, age and ethnicity.

Martin will present (see dates below) in each of the 10 cities participating in this year's series, as well as at the Annual Convention in Philadelphia. A second forum will take place in each city where local participants will continue the conversation.

Thursday, May 01, 2008, featuring Patricia Martin
Arts & Business Council of New York, New York, NY

Thursday, May 08, 2008, featuring Patricia Martin
LA Stage Alliance, Los Angeles, CA

Tuesday, May 13, 2008, featuring Patricia Martin
Arts & Business Council of Rhode Island, Providence, RI

Wednesday, May 21, 2008, featuring Patricia Martin 
Houston Arts Alliance, Houston, TX

Thursday, May 29, 2008, featuring Patricia Martin
Arts & Business Council of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Tuesday, June 03, 2008, featuring Patricia Martin
Iowa Arts Council, Des Moines, IA

Tuesday, June 10, 2008, featuring Patricia Martin
Tampa Bay Business Committee for the Arts, Tampa, FL

Tuesday, June 24, 2008, featuring Patricia Martin
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Atlanta, GA

Tuesday, September 09, 2008, featuring Patricia Martin 
Greater Hartford Arts Council, Hartford, CT

Thursday, October 02, 2008, featuring Patricia Martin
Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston, Boston, MA 

This program is made possible through the generous support of MetLife Foundation.