National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture Hosts 2009 National Conference in Boston

BOSTON -- On August 26-29, a broad array of arts administrators, media producers, scholars, social media gurus, advocates and artists will gather in Boston for CommonWealth, the 2009 edition of NAMAC’s biennial national event. This landmark event – co-hosted by the Boston-based Center for Independent Documentary and thirty local arts and media organizations -- is the central meeting point for the leadership of media, and visual arts organizations to strategize for the future of the field. 

"We’re meeting in a time of profound flux in the world of media, arts, and culture,” said Jack Walsh, co-director of NAMAC.  “Our CommonWealth conference will help the field take stock of the threats and opportunities we face in this moment of evolving economics, technological transformation, political change, and audience shifts.  Creative leaders and thinkers will come together to chart an innovative path for a thriving arts and culture field.”   

The full preliminary schedule of events -- including an array of panel discussions, workshops, “un-conference” open space discussions, and parties -- is available at http://www.namac.org/conference-schedule. Highlights include an opening plenary offering a “state of the field,” an awards ceremony at the Massachusetts State House, and a Media and Arts Town Hall Meeting that convenes a discussion on priorities for policy advocacy.

Sessions will cover a diverse range of critical arts and media issues including: media and arts policy, arts and economic development, participatory media and user-generated content, the future of public media, audience and revenue development in the digital age, arts and social change, the state of arts funding, social media, and more.

More than 300 arts and media leaders will participate in NAMAC’s CommonWealth conference.  Registration for the conference is open to all interested individuals and organizational representatives. Press credentials are available to members of the media who will be covering the event.

Discounted hotel rates are available only through August 5 -- find out more at http://www.namac.org/conference-hotel-and-travel.

Program details, registration information and highlights from previous conferences can be found at www.namac.org/conference.