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Upcoming Convening Culture Conference to Celebrate Innovation and Entrepreneurship

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Fourth Annual Convening Culture Conference to be held in Gainesville February 22-23 at the University of Florida College of Arts Center for Arts in Medicine

Secretary of State Ken Detzner today announced the Department of State’s Division of Cultural Affairs will hold Convening Culture 2017: Exploring Innovation & Entrepreneurship through Arts & Culture February 22-23. The conference will offer informative sessions, discussions and networking opportunities for artists and individuals working and interested in arts and culture in Florida.
“As Florida’s Chief Cultural Officer, I am excited that the Convening Culture Conference is being held for its fourth year,” said Secretary Detzner. “Convening Culture is a great opportunity for professional development and collaboration within Florida’s vibrant arts and cultural communities. This year’s conference promises to be the best yet and will explore innovation and entrepreneurship through the arts and culture. Florida is home to more than 29,000 creative industries establishments which generate approximately $49.7 billion in annual revenue. Last year, 37.9 million people benefitted from Department of State supported arts and cultural programs, sustaining nearly 12,000 jobs across Florida.”
The annual convening culture conference is presented by the Citizens for Florida Arts, Inc., a statewide non-profit organization that works to support the efforts of the Division of Cultural Affairs. This year, the annual event will be hosted in Gainesville by the University of Florida College of Arts Center for Arts in Medicine. Session topics will range from community collaborations to creative start-up businesses.
Several honors will be presented at the conference, including the induction of Billy Dean, Don Felder, Lee Bennett Hopkins and Jim Stafford into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, joining such luminaries as Ernest Hemingway, Zora Neale Hurston, and Robert Rauschenberg. This award is the highest honor bestowed upon artists by the State of Florida. Recipients of this award demonstrate the diversity of artistic accomplishment that comprise the rich cultural tapestry of this state. The Division of Cultural Affairs will also present its Diversity and Inclusion Awards at the conference. These awards recognize innovative and exceptional efforts that promote diversity in arts and cultural programming.

Convening Culture Conference Event Highlights

FEBRUARY 22-23, 2017 
Exhibition on View: At the Threshold to the Unknown

  • Description: The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience will partner to present this stunning exhibition which explores the imagery that is created at the intersection of microscience and art. Graciously supported by Nancy and David Auth.
  • Location: Lobby of the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

FEBRUARY 22, 2017
Conference Welcome & Plenary Session with Dr. Elif Ekcali

  • Description: Dr. Ekcali serves as an Associate Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Florida. She is in the inaugural class of UF Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows in the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation in Warrington College of Business Administration and was formerly a Creative Scholar-in-Residence in the School of Theater + Dance. Dr. Ekcali will discuss divergent thinking and its impact on creativity and systems.
  • Time: 11:00 a.m.-12:10 p.m.

Conference Session: New Models of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Culture Economy

  • Description: This session will provide attendees with a survey of current landscape and trends, focusing on case studies that illuminate the development of new models and the complexity and importance of funding, community and partnerships for artists.
  • Time: 1:45 p.m. -2:45 p.m.
  • Presenter: Colleen Keegan, Creative Capital Foundation 

FEBRUARY 23, 2017
John Whitney Payson Keynote Presentation featuring Lily Yeh

  • Description: Lily Yeh is an internationally celebrated artist whose work has taken her to communities throughout the world. As founder and executive director of the Village of Arts and Humanities in North Philadelphia from 1968 to 2004, she helped create a national model in creative place-making and community building through the arts. In 2002, Yeh pursued her work internationally, founding Barefoot Artists, Inc., to bring the transformative power of art to impoverished communities around the globe through participatory, multifaceted projects that foster community empowerment, improve the physical environment, promote economic development and preserve indigenous art and culture. (www.barefootartists.org)
  • Time: 10:35 a.m. -11:45 a.m.

Presentation of the 2017 Diversity & Inclusion Awards

  • Description: The Diversity & Inclusion Awards Program recognizes the efforts of individuals working to make arts and cultural programming in Florida as diverse and inclusive as possible.
  • Time: noon-1 p.m.
  • Award Recipients: Antonio Cuyler; Compassionate St. Augustine; Dario Moore, The Center for Contemporary Dance, Inc.; Darryl Reuben Hall, Stage Aurora; Dr. Joseph Wiltshire Foundation; Edward Sparan; Florida Studio Theatre; Fort Mose Historical Society; Hope at Hand, Inc.; Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens; Orlando Community Arts, Inc.; Orlando Repertory Theatre; PAXy, Inc; Pioneer Winter, Pioneer Winter Collective; Rose Grace; Tarell McCraney; We the People Theatre; and Young Singers of the Palm Beaches.

Florida Artists Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

  • Description (Free Admission): The Florida Artists Hall of Fame Awards Induction Ceremony at the close of the conference will honor four artists with deep ties to Florida.
  • Time: 5:30 p.m. -7:00 p.m.
  • Inductees: GRAMMY AWARD winners Billy Dean and Don Felder; poet Lee Bennett Hopkins; and comedian, musician and singer-songwriter Jim Stafford.
  • Emcees: Secretary of State Ken Detzner; Division of Cultural Affairs Director Sandy Shaughnessy

Click here for more information or to register for Convening Culture 2017.
About the Division of Cultural Affairs
The Florida Department of State’s Division of Cultural Affairs is Florida’s legislatively designated state arts agency. The Division promotes the arts and culture as essential to quality of life for all Floridians. To achieve its mission, the Division funds and supports cultural programs that provide artistic excellence, diversity, education, access and economic vitality for Florida’s communities. For more information, visit dos.myflorida.com/cultural.

Gov. Scott’s “Fighting for Florida’s Future” budget invests more than $91 million for the Department of State

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Florida Department of State
Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner today applauded Governor Rick Scott’s “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018, which invests $91.2 million in the Department of State. Governor Scott’s “Fighting for Florida’s Future” budget makes key investments to continue Florida’s great track record of successful elections administration and also supports cultural heritage tourism and economic development. 
Governor Scott, said, “The ‘Fighting for Florida’s Future’ Budget continues our commitment to making important investments to ensure successful elections administration for decades to come. We are also investing in the many historic and cultural treasures among Florida communities that help bring more families and visitors to our great state each year.”
Governor Scott’s proposed budget includes:

  • $13.7 million in elections administration funding to improve the voter experience in Florida and ensure elections officials, including Supervisors of Elections, have the resources necessary to successfully administer elections.
  • $25.3 million in funding to libraries to provide many valuable services to citizens through continuing education, workforce development and literacy, computer skills, and activities related to employment and entrepreneurship.
  • $5.8 million in grant funding to library cooperatives and other library resources throughout the state which will improve information sharing among libraries and better meet the informational and educational needs of Florida residents.
  • $3.1 million in historic preservation grant funding which is proven to boost both the economy and quality of life through restoration and rehabilitation projects of historic buildings and structures, as well as through survey and evaluation of historic and archaeological resources and education about Florida history.
  • $6 million in cultural and museum grant funding to create more cultural heritage activities and tourist attraction opportunities, which directly correlates to the creation of new jobs and spending in communities throughout the state. 

Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner, said, “Thanks to Governor Scott’s leadership, in 2016, we showed Florida, the nation, and the world, that Florida knows how to run elections. Governor Scott’s ‘Fighting for Florida’s Future’ Budget will help Florida continue to make improvements to the elections process and also makes critical investments that improve the quality of life for all Floridians. Governor Scott’s commitment to investments in library grants, cultural programs, and historic preservation support cultural heritage tourism and economic development, ensuring Florida continues to be one of the world’s best places to live, work and play for generations to come.”
Malinda Horton, Executive Director of the Florida Association of Museums, said, “Cultural organizations and museums provide many benefits to communities throughout Florida and strengthen the economy and job creation. We applaud Governor Scott for his continued dedication to cultural and museum grant funding.”
Lois Benson, Chair of the Florida Council on Arts & Culture, said, “Funding for culturally-based activities improves quality of life and increases opportunities for all Floridians. We thank Governor Scott for his support of arts and culture in the State of Florida.”
Marion Almy, Chairman of the Florida Historical Commission, said, “Governor Scott understands that historic preservation serves as an economic engine for Florida communities and supports cultural heritage tourism. Investments in historical properties are an investment in Florida’s future.”
Charlie Parker, Executive Director, Tampa Bay Library Consortium, said, “Governor Scott recognizes the significant contributions that libraries provide to Florida citizens. From supporting early learning and providing homework assistance to career exploration, information literacy, and lifelong learning, libraries provide critical services to our communities.”