Dr. Mary Grant | Fireside Chat

President of Massachusetts College of Art and Design Dr. Mary K. Grant is a national leader in public higher education with more than 30 years of experience championing the arts, deepening community partnerships, cultivating civic engagement, and fostering access, diversity, equity, and inclusion across higher education. She is the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Norman Rockwell Museum, the Board Chair of National Campus Compact, Secretary of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD), Member of EdVestors BPS Arts Expansion Arts Advisory Board, Member of the Boston Public Schools Committee Nominating Panel, and Member of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Higher Education Leadership Council. She has also served on the search committee for the Commissioner of Higher Education for Massachusetts, as a juror for the prestigious Brother Thomas Fellowship, and is a regular guest on GBH’s The Culture Show with Jared Bowen. As President of MassArt, Dr. Grant is leading a campaign to raise the College’s institutional profile and is committed to amplifying MassArt’s legacy of access to an excellent art and design education, and to elevating the critical role of the arts as a driver of a thriving economy.

Dr. Tasha Golden | Morning Keynote

Igniting Change, Inviting Growth: Redefining Arts, Health, and Community Care Artists have long understood how vital our work can be to human thriving. In recent decades, science has been catching up—and we’re seeing heightened interest in art’s potential to address mental health, loneliness, and more. In her keynote talk, Dr. Tasha Golden reveals how this shift can help artists and arts organizations reimagine what we do, where it “belongs,” and how to grow and sustain our valuable work.

Creative Conversations: Engaging the Arts Community

Engage with other creatives and tap into the expertise of others to help you grow as an artist in this dynamic group conversation facilitated by storyteller Vanessa Vartabedian, watercolor painter Justin LaRocca Hansen, and writer and poet John Bonanni. What creative roadblocks are you facing? What tools and tips could you implement in your daily practice to take the next steps in your career? What part does storytelling play in your art? How can you hone a personal journaling practice to advance your craft? In what ways can you engage and collaborate with your community? How can collaboration help you grow as an artist? During this interactive session, Vanessa, Justin, and John will facilitate a conversation to direct you toward some answers to these questions and create a welcoming space for open dialogue about what it means to be a creative on Cape Cod.

Branding Cape Cod Arts: Elevating Our Unique Identity

Join us for an insightful session on "Branding Cape Cod Arts: Honoring Tradition, Embracing Innovation," where we’ll explore the evolution and future of Cape Cod’s artistic identity. We’ll begin with an art historian who will provide context on the "modern vs. traditional" debate, which has shaped the Cape Cod art scene for decades, highlighting the dynamic between traditional and contemporary movements. Next, a working artist will share their personal experience navigating this unique landscape today, followed by branding and marketing experts who will discuss strategies to elevate the distinct identity of Cape Cod artists. Together, we’ll challenge the assumption that Cape Cod’s cultural brand is limited to beaches, lighthouses, and sailboats, and explore how artists can bridge tradition with contemporary work, allowing both to flourish. This session will inspire collaboration, helping artists and organizations shape a forward-thinking brand that reflects Cape Cod’s diverse and evolving creative community, where tradition and innovation thrive side by side.

Building Successful Public Private Partnerships in the Arts Sector.

Discover how cultural organizations can forge viable and successful partnerships with state or town entities. This session will delve into real-life examples of groups breaking down barriers and expanding their footprints through these strategic alliances. Learn how these partnerships enable cultural organizations to cross into other sectors, enhancing their impact and reach. Join us to gain insights and strategies for creating and nurturing effective collaborations that drive growth and innovation in the arts community.

Reserve your spot today!