Arts, Culture, and Workforce Development Working Group at The Commons

On Wednesday, January 29, Sweet Water Foundation hosted ArtPlace America’s Arts, Culture, and Workforce Development Working Group at The Commons.  A diverse group of more than 35 workforce leaders, policymakers, investors, researchers, artists, and community activists engaged in a half-day experience focusing on how arts and culture can be used to enhance workforce development programs. Read on to learn more about the working group meeting.

ArtPlace America’s Arts, Culture, and Workforce Development Working Group is a groundbreaking effort to understand and advance the role of artists, arts organizations, and creative expression in job readiness and workforce development. Research suggests that the arts have significant potential to help catalyze and amplify the work already being done to build resilient, healthy, just, and sustainable communities. The intention of the working group is to help identify ways that this cross-sector work can be advanced and discuss how arts can support real, lasting change in local communities. The Working Group utilized a report published by NORC at the University of Chicago as a starting point for the discussion. Each attendee brought a unique perspective and experience to the convening as a leader in their respective fields and/or communities. 

 The group included individuals representing organizations and institutions from across the country such as: Coalfield Development Corporation, City University of New York, First Peoples’ Fund, James Irvine Foundation, Jobs for the Future, National Fund for Workforce Solutions, Northwestern University, Rural Community College Alliance, Southwest Folklife Alliance, Urban Institute, NORC at the University of Chicago, US Federation of Worker Co-ops, and more. 

 At The Commons, the Working Group was immersed in SWF’s practice of Regenerative Neighborhood Development via an immersive tour, a shared meal with members of the SWF team and apprentices, and a roundtable discussion and ideation session led by the ArtPlace America team, Deepa Gupta of Blue Lotus Advisors, and SWF’s Executive Director, Emmanuel Pratt.  Many participants were visibly moved by the experience and conversations that emerged throughout the afternoon.  

Sweet Water Foundation is grateful for the opportunity to host ArtPlace America and the Arts, Culture and Workforce Development Working Group and for the new connections made with practitioners across the country.