A Dialogue on Arts, Culture & Economic Development
in Western New York

Sponsored by:
The New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA),
in association with the
Empire State Development’s Western New York office, I LOVE NY
and the
Arts Council in Buffalo & Erie County

On September 18, 2008, a regional Cultural Blueprints session, one of several conducted by The New York State Council on the Arts, was held in the WNED Studios in downtown Buffalo.

Watch a session presentation, including comments from several state and local public officials. Hear their ideas and statements of support for fostering arts and cultural assets as a catalyst for economic development.

Participants included:

1. Local/state elected officials
2. Representatives of arts and cultural organizations
3. Arts professionals
4. Economic development experts
5. Private philanthropists
6. Tourism professionals
7. Artists
8. Business, education and community leaders

Building upon the Empire State Development’s Regional Blueprints, but with a focus on creative sector opportunities, the goals of the sessions were to develop the following:

1. a clear articulation of each region’s strengths and needs;
2. a statement of key regional priorities;
3. identification of regional and statewide arts-based growth strategies.

For more information, please contact:
Celeste Lawson
Executive Director, Arts Council in Buffalo & Erie County
Phone: (716) 856-7520
E-mail: celeste dot lawson at artscouncilbuffalo dot org