Long Islanders Come Together for Cultural Blueprints
Statewide series of Public Forums to Promote Integrated Arts, Economic and Community Development Strategies Launches on Long Island

HUNTINGTON, NY, 16 September 2008 -- Over 125 Long Island leaders in the arts, education, business and the community met today to participate in Cultural Blueprints, a public forum established by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to promote integrated arts, economic and community development strategies. Hosted and organized by the Huntington Arts Council, the Long Island session, the first in a state-wide series, was an important step in assessing the region's strengths and needs and identifying opportunities for the arts to serve as a catalyst for cultural, economic and community development.

NYSCA Chair Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell opened the conference by declaring, "We have the opportunity to author possibilities for economic development for New York State. We need creativity and communication. To accomplish that goal, especially in the current economic climate, we have to focus on making new intellectual capital and to take a chance on doing something bold. The possibilities are endless."

The Huntington Arts Council worked with NYSCA, the Long Island Regional Empire State Development Office and I LOVE NY to bring together arts professionals, economic development experts, the Long Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, public officials, artists and business, education, philanthropic and community leaders to focus on six key areas: Image and Identity, Infrastructure, Innovation, Intellectual capital and workforce development, International, and Investment and financial models.

Assemblyman Steven Englebright, Chair of the New York State Committee on Tourism, Arts and Sports Development, told the gathering, "We here today can plant the seeds of possibilities with the coming together of economic and cultural issues." Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel (16th District) and Assemblyman Andrew Raia (9th District) also voiced their support of the arts to the meeting participants.

The six facilitated break-out groups gave everyone in attendance the chance to begin planting those seeds by identifying opportunities and action steps for arts and economic development leaders to work together. Some of the issues discussed included transportation access to cultural activities, arts/science/business collaborations, regional marketing and promotion, cultural diversity and demographic change.

Some of the immediate action items that came out of the Blueprints session include:

  • This fall, NYSCA will convene a group of Long Island funders to review the priorities and suggestions discussed at the Cultural Blueprints and determine some next steps for the philanthropic community.
  • NYSCA will work with the Long Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, County representation and local Arts Councils to identify the most effective strategies for highlighting arts and cultural activities in Long Island, particularly via the Discover Long Island website, www.discoverlongisland.com.  
  • The Huntington Arts Council will create a listserv for all participants. Anyone who did not attend who would like to join in the conversation and participate in resource sharing should contact Dianne Matus at dmatus@huntingtonarts.org.

In addition, NYSCA has created a Cultural Blueprints website, featuring summaries of the Long Island Cultural Blueprints discussions and the opportunity to participate in an ongoing, public conversation about potential solutions and ways to strengthen the region.  Share your thoughts at www.culturalblueprints.co.cc.