The “Social Change through the Arts” Study Group is designed for anyone considering a career in the creative arts or cultural sectors, as well as for those interested in an introduction to the world of cultural entrepreneurship and the concepts behind creating social impact through the arts. We will examine the potential for the arts and cultural sectors to be a vehicle for social change. Over the course of five sessions, participants will become familiar with the definition and concepts behind cultural entrepreneurship and measurement methodology by analyzing the stories of leaders in the field and through studying organizational examples. The Study Group will use HBS case studies, current readings and discussion to examine how cultural entrepreneurship has and is making an impact in the world today. Global examples will be sought throughout, as well as artistic examples across different artistic disciplines.
The sessions will be led by Carla Dirlikov Canales, SICI Fellow and Professor of Cultural Diplomacy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Guest practitioners and visiting scholars will be incorporated into each session.
Key Learning Outcomes:
Participants will:
Gain an understanding of cultural entrepreneurship and its relevance to society.
Learn major cases in this space and their application to social problems.
Apply analytic methodologies and identify common impediments to accurate cultural analysis.
Develop understanding of how an individual can use entrepreneurial principles to create positive social impact by engaging the power of culture.
Assess present-day social challenges and how cultural entrepreneurship could play a role in creating solutions.
Discuss why entrepreneurial failures occur and what can be done to prevent them.
Session 5—Art in Communities, A Funder’s Perspective
December 16th, 2022
Guest: Gary Steuer, President and CEO, the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation
Gary Steuer joined the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation as President and CEO in 2013. Since that time, he has focused on leveraging the voice and legacy of the foundation to sustain and strengthen the arts and nonprofit leadership in the community. In addition to overseeing $3 million in annual grantmaking, Mr. Steuer empowers the foundation’s signature programs and initiatives to ensure they are advancing innovation, equity, community and quality of life. From 2008-2013 he was the Chief Cultural Officer for Philadelphia, directing the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy. Before that, Mr. Steuer was the Vice President for Private-Sector Affairs at Americans for the Arts, advancing philanthropy for the arts nationally. He served for ten years as the President and CEO of the national Arts & Business Council Inc. prior to its merger with Americans for the Arts. He has written, lectured and taught extensively on arts management, philanthropy, impact investing and policy issues and has served on many boards of directors and funding and advisory panels for local, statewide and national organizations. He currently serves as board chair of Philanthropy Colorado.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://harvard.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAlfuqtqDwoH90K5hvFWv4OV9Dz7yJnEOqS
Study Group Instructor
Carla Dirlikov Canales, SICI Fellow
Contact Email:
carla_dirlikovcanales@harvard.edu