GCDN Annual Convening – Los Angeles 2025

"Ownership" indicates an ability to derive benefit from the value created through an asset - land, built space, physical and intellectual property, organizational relationships and networks. Over centuries and generations, ownership in the hands of the privileged few has contributed to inequality and displacement. With a broad view of the arts ecosystem that helps to effectively support anchor arts and culture in local communities, collaborative or collective ownership and stewardship structures aim to expand opportunity and distribute the benefits of ownership - wealth building, economic stability, resilience, ability to stay in place - more broadly. While the legal and political frameworks governing ownership differ across global contexts, there are instructive and inspiring examples of public/private initiatives within the creative sector that demonstrate that it is possible to advance equity for artists and historically marginalized communities, encourage shared investment in community and cultural activity, and contribute to the growth of the creative economy. This session will engage with several examples in the U.S. and examine the unique roles that public and private (both commercial and non-profit) entities play in catalyzing and sustaining these efforts.