Americans for the Arts and The Conference Board Launch Creative Conversation Initiative in Richmond

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Business and arts leaders from Richmond, VA will gather on November 27 for a Creative Conversation to discuss how the business and arts sector can leverage their respective resources to achieve their most vital industry objectives. Organized by Americans for the Arts, the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education, and The Conference Board, a global, independent business membership and research association working in the public interest, Creative Conversations is a new, national initiative designed to challenge the assumptions of how the business and arts community operates, debate the merits of adopting new paradigms and develop additional value propositions around new collaborative models.

The gathering, hosted by Dominion Energy and Altria with significant support from CultureWorks, will take place at Altria and at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The convening is the first in a series of gatherings between artists and senior level business executives scheduled to take place across the country in the coming year.

"The arts and business sectors have much more in common than one would traditionally think; success in both arenas requires creativity, insight, dynamism and risk-taking," said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. "As such, it behooves leaders from both sectors to continually work together, exchange ideas and leverage their respective expertise to achieve success. Richmond's vibrant business and arts communities make it an ideal place to initiate these Creative Conversations."

"We understand the artistic community uses the same skills that are highly valued by business – such as creativity and the ability to communicate effectively," notes Jonathan Spector, president and CEO of The Conference Board.  "This gathering will allow the business community to learn how artists apply these skills and find ways to leverage those same skills in a business context." 

"This initiative will provide important impetus to the already productive relationships among business leaders and artists in Richmond," said CultureWorks President John Bryan. "This Richmond involvement by The Conference Board and Americans for the Arts will be a catalyst for ever stronger relationships."

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of more than 50 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

The Conference Board is a global, independent business membership and research association working in the public interest. Our mission is unique: To provide the world's leading organizations with the practical knowledge they need to improve their performance and better serve society. The Conference Board is a non-advocacy, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.conference-board.org.

CultureWorks is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides service and leadership for the Richmond Region's arts and culture community. CultureWorks helps to strengthen arts and culture and leverages strong arts and culture to strengthen other aspects of the region. CultureWorks is the region's champion for arts and culture - celebrating enlightenment, imagination, motivation, and beauty through visual, performing and literary arts; history and heritage; science and nature.  Visit www.richmondcultureworks.org.

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