Loading…
Sunday, May 18
 

17:00 PDT

REGISTRATIONS
Sunday May 18, 2025 17:00 - 17:30 PDT
Sunday May 18, 2025 17:00 - 17:30 PDT
Jerry Moss Plaza

17:30 PDT

WELCOME RECEPTION
Sunday May 18, 2025 17:30 - 20:00 PDT
Welcome to the GCDN Annual Convening – Los Angeles 2025!

This reception is meant to be a casual icebreaking moment for GCDN members and guests to already meet ahead of the packed couple of days to follow.

The reception will be held outdoors on the Jerry Moss Plaza of The Music Center.
Sunday May 18, 2025 17:30 - 20:00 PDT
Jerry Moss Plaza
 
Monday, May 19
 

08:00 PDT

09:00 PDT

WELCOME REMARKS
Monday May 19, 2025 09:00 - 09:30 PDT
Moderators
avatar for Gregorio Lucena Scarpella

Gregorio Lucena Scarpella

Director, Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN)
Greg is the Director of the Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN), a dynamic membership organization of over 60 international cultural districts with a mission to improve the quality of urban life through the arts, culture and creative industries.As Director of GCDN, Greg is responsible... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Adrian Ellis

Adrian Ellis

Chair, GCDN, Director, AEA Consulting
I am a Director of AEA Consulting and chair of the Global Cultural Districts Network. I have worked in senior management and as a board member in both museums and the performing arts and as a strategy consultant to clients in the cultural, public, and business sectors around the world... Read More →
avatar for Hilda Solis

Hilda Solis

Hilda Solis, the daughter of immigrants, was raised in her San Gabriel Valley working-class family. As a County Supervisor, United States Secretary of Labor, and lawmaker, Solis has always been an effective champion for expanded quality health care, new solutions to the homelessness... Read More →
Monday May 19, 2025 09:00 - 09:30 PDT
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: Eva & Marc Stern Grand Hall

09:30 PDT

WHEN THE STATUS QUO IS NOT AN OPTION…
Monday May 19, 2025 09:30 - 10:30 PDT
This is a tough chapter for cultural leaders. Daily geopolitical realignments, technological advances, and societal and environmental upheaval – ‘wicked’ problems – have upended assumptions about our roles and responsibilities, where they start and where they end. Choices – often with personal and ethical dimensions as well as practical ones – confront us with monotonous frequency.

Calculus is the mathematical study of continuous change. In our period of continuous and, indeed, accelerating change, what calculus should we apply to our professional decision-making? What values should we protect, and what accommodations must we live with?
Moderators
avatar for Adrian Ellis

Adrian Ellis

Chair, GCDN, Director, AEA Consulting
I am a Director of AEA Consulting and chair of the Global Cultural Districts Network. I have worked in senior management and as a board member in both museums and the performing arts and as a strategy consultant to clients in the cultural, public, and business sectors around the world... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Maria Rosario Jackson

Maria Rosario Jackson

With an aim towards building healthy communities where all people can thrive, Maria Rosario Jackson spent more than 35 years working in strategic planning, research, policy and program design and evaluation with philanthropy, government, and nonprofit organizations. A hallmark of... Read More →
avatar for Deborah Rutter

Deborah Rutter

President Emeritus, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Deborah F. Rutter is a nationally respected arts executive with over four decades of leadership in premier cultural institutions. From 2014 to 2025, she served as the first female president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, leading a period of transformative growth... Read More →
Monday May 19, 2025 09:30 - 10:30 PDT
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: Eva & Marc Stern Grand Hall

10:30 PDT

BREAK & BREAKOUT
Monday May 19, 2025 10:30 - 11:00 PDT
Monday May 19, 2025 10:30 - 11:00 PDT
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: Oval Lounge

11:00 PDT

[B/OUT] BEYOND THE PODIUM: ARTS, CULTURE, AND OLYMPIC LEGACIES
Monday May 19, 2025 11:00 - 12:00 PDT
For a host city, the Olympic Games are more than a sporting event; they are a powerful platform for deploying soft power strategies to project political values, cultivate a national image, and showcase status to residents, visitors, and billions of viewers worldwide. Arts and culture play a pivotal role in shaping this broader narrative and impact. Alongside initiatives like the Cultural Olympiad, independent public and private commissions contribute to a rich tapestry of multidisciplinary programs that reflect identity, engage communities, and leave a lasting cultural legacy. As Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Olympics, this session examines how arts and culture programs elevate the Games' narrative, foster engagement, reflect local heritage, and create platforms for global exchange while ensuring a meaningful legacy long after the closing ceremonies.
Moderators
avatar for Tamsin Ace

Tamsin Ace

Director, East Bank
I am representing East Bank and London College of Fashion. East Bank is the UK’s newest Cultural Quarter at the heart of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park; a brand-new destination for innovation, creativity and learning. Creating world-class experiences from BBC, Sadler’s Wells, UAL’s... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Angelita Teo

Angelita Teo

Director, IOC/Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage
Angelita Teo joined the International Olympic Committee as the Director of the Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage in October of 2019. She was previously the Senior Director of the National Heritage Board of Singapore, where she was both the Director of the National Museum... Read More →
avatar for Jason Bruges

Jason Bruges

Founder, Jason Bruges Studio
Monday May 19, 2025 11:00 - 12:00 PDT
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: Hope Street Lobby

11:00 PDT

[B/OUT] CREATIVE RECOVERY: RESTORING PLACES, REBUILDING COMMUNITIES...
Monday May 19, 2025 11:00 - 12:00 PDT
In the aftermath of catastrophic events, recovery is not only a physical process but a profoundly emotional and social one. Deeply embedded in their communities and grounded in place-based practice, artists, placemakers, and cultural leaders are uniquely positioned to help navigate the complex pathways of rebuilding – creating space for collective healing, cultural preservation, and reimagined futures. Yet when disaster strikes, the immediate path forward is rarely clear.
This session draws on a range of practical experiences – from on-the-ground recovery efforts to the long-term support of communities through creative practice – to explore how arts and culture can address trauma, restore a sense of belonging, and lay the groundwork for more connected, inclusive futures.
Moderators
avatar for Ramon Marrades

Ramon Marrades

Director, Placemaking Europe
Ramon Marrades is an economist and urbanist with a passion for port cities, public spaces, culture, and innovation. He is currently Director at Placemaking Europe, the network that connects practitioners, academics, community leaders, market players, and policymakers across the field... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Janet Newcomb

Janet Newcomb

Executive Director, National Coalition for Arts' Preparedness & Emergency Response (NCAPER)
Jan Newcomb was appointed Executive Director of the National Coalition for Arts Preparedness & Emergency Response in 2018, and the Performing Arts Coordinator for the Performing Arts Readiness Project in 2017. Since 2023 she has served as Professor, Volunteer Title Series at the University... Read More →
avatar for Guillermo Bernal

Guillermo Bernal

Executive Director, The Place Institute
Guillermo Bernal is a global leader in the placemaking movement, with over a decade of experience in transforming public spaces into vibrant community hubs. He is the Founding Director of Fundación Placemaking México and Executive Director of The Place Institute, organizations that... Read More →
Monday May 19, 2025 11:00 - 12:00 PDT
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: Eva & Marc Stern Grand Hall

11:00 PDT

[B/OUT] GLOCAL PERSPECTIVES ON IMPACT: MEASURING WHAT MATTERS
Monday May 19, 2025 11:00 - 12:00 PDT
Moderators
avatar for Natalia Vartapetova

Natalia Vartapetova

Senior Consultant, AEA Consulting
Natalia's background includes 20 years of research, project management, and concept development in the cultural and creative industries. She focuses on cultural policy and evaluation; business planning; methodology development; sector studies; and feasibility studies.Natalia has led... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Bronwyn Mauldin

Bronwyn Mauldin

Director of Research and Evaluation, Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture
avatar for Michael O'Leary

Michael O'Leary

Deputy CEO & Project Director, Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation
Michael has worked in the Victorian Public Sector since 1999 when he began work in the Department of Education.In addition to his current role as Deputy CEO & Project Director, Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation, he has held numerous senior executive roles across the Victorian Government... Read More →
avatar for Victoria Perera Rojas

Victoria Perera Rojas

The Music Center, Associate Director, Evaluation & Learning
Victoria (she/her) has dedicated her career to social justice and equity, first as a nonprofit direct service provider, then as a social worker and evaluator. She sees relationship building as the heart of social change work and also understands the reality that people doing this... Read More →
Monday May 19, 2025 11:00 - 12:00 PDT
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: Founders Room

11:00 PDT

[B/OUT] GRAND AVENUE CULTURAL DISTRICT: THE MAKING OF
Monday May 19, 2025 11:00 - 12:00 PDT
Downtown Los Angeles has long been home to a critical mass of cultural institutions, but only recently has it been officially named and framed as a cultural district. With a unanimous vote, the LA County Board of Supervisors established the Grand Avenue Cultural District in 2025 – an initiative that formalizes a corridor of renowned cultural and educational anchors, connected by public spaces, into a unified identity... But what does it take to go from adjacency to alignment?

This session explores the Grand Avenue Cultural District as a live case study in the making. What are the strategic ambitions behind the initiative – for the public realm, for tourism, for access and inclusion? What governance model is being built, and how are diverse interests, including non-cultural stakeholders, represented? How is collaboration being resourced and sustained – and what challenges have emerged in bringing a wide range of partners into alignment? And what advice do those leading the charge have for others looking to formalize or reframe their own cultural districts?
Monday May 19, 2025 11:00 - 12:00 PDT
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: Grand Avenue Lobby

12:00 PDT

BREAK
Monday May 19, 2025 12:00 - 12:30 PDT
Monday May 19, 2025 12:00 - 12:30 PDT
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: Oval Lounge

12:30 PDT

[B/OUT] A TALE OF SOFTER CITIES…
Monday May 19, 2025 12:30 - 13:30 PDT
The link between public space activation through arts and culture and improved mental health is well understood by experts, yet it remains largely absent from public discourse. At a time when urban loneliness, social fragmentation, and mental health challenges are on the rise – especially in cities – the role of public space in fostering wellbeing has never been more critical. So how can this knowledge be made more tangible, accessible, and influential?

This session moves beyond simply recognizing these benefits to explore strategies for effectively communicating them to a broader audience. What narratives and approaches can foster wider understanding and support? How can cultural leaders, urban planners, and policymakers bridge the gap between expert knowledge and public awareness? In an era of post-truth and growing skepticism toward science, this discussion will examine practical and effective ways to make the case for cultural activation as a key driver of well-being in urban life.
Moderators
avatar for Ilana Altman

Ilana Altman

Co-Executive Director, The Bentway Conservancy
Ilana Altman is a cultural planner and designer who has a background in art and architecture. In her role as Co-Executive Director she works with the community and creative partners to implement innovative and engaging programming and open up new avenues for collaborative design and... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Anupam Yog

Anupam Yog

Managing Partner, XDG Labs Pte Ltd
I am a pragmatic urbanist and creative strategist with over 20 years of experience in research, design, and urban innovation. As the Managing Partner of XDG Labs, a research organisation based in Singapore, I work with a community of collaborators to advance our purpose of making... Read More →
avatar for Mouna Andraos

Mouna Andraos

Co-president, Daily tous les jours
Mouna co-founded Daily tous les jours in 2010 alongside Melissa Mongiat. The Montreal-based art and design studio is best known for its work in public spaces, inviting people to play a critical role in the transformation of cities. Considering technology as a vehicle for social change... Read More →
avatar for Chelina Odbert

Chelina Odbert

Executive Director, Kounkuey Design Initiative
Chelina Odbert believes in the power of community-engaged design to advance racial, environmental, and economic equity in neighborhoods and cities. As Founding Principal of Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI), she has built an award-winning practice that brings good design to places... Read More →
Monday May 19, 2025 12:30 - 13:30 PDT
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: Eva & Marc Stern Grand Hall

12:30 PDT

[B/OUT] BLOOMBERG CONNECTS: WEAVING DIGITAL NARRATIVES FOR CULTURAL DISTRICTS
Monday May 19, 2025 12:30 - 13:30 PDT
Cultural districts are more than the sum of their institutions – they are networks of people, organizations, stories, and places. But how can digital tools help these districts operate not just as clusters of venues, but as cohesive cultural ecosystems?

This session, led by Bloomberg Connects, explores how digital platforms can connect the diverse stakeholders that make up a cultural district – building a shared identity and making visible to the public the relationships and collaborations that underpin it. It offers a space to reflect on how digital infrastructure can strengthen internal connections, expand access, and express a collective narrative – not of static institutions, but of a living, evolving cultural network.
Monday May 19, 2025 12:30 - 13:30 PDT
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: Grand Avenue Lobby

12:30 PDT

[B/OUT] IT STARTS WITH AN H… HARNESSING HOPE TO TRANSFORM NARRATIVES OF HOMELESSNESS
Monday May 19, 2025 12:30 - 13:30 PDT
Homelessness is one of the most visible and complex challenges faced by urban centers worldwide. As stewards of public spaces – which may be the only spaces accessible to those experiencing homelessness – cultural districts are uniquely positioned to address this growing issue, often shaped by stigmatizing and reductive narratives. While not directly responsible for policymaking, they can leverage the transformative power of arts, culture, and community to inspire hope and foster compassion.

Drawing on practical examples from diverse contexts, this session will explore how cultural districts can encourage agency through collaborative rather than prescriptive interventions, and challenge stereotypes to humanize the homeless experience – moving beyond visibility to create meaningful pathways of dignity, inclusion, hope, and systemic change.
Moderators
avatar for Alex Budd

Alex Budd

Director, Canberra Theatre Centre
Alex rejoined the Canberra Theatre Centre as Director of the national capital's arts centre, six weeks before COVID disrupted operations, having worked at the Centre 25 years earlier as a lighting technician.  The Centre is in planning stages for a major redevelopment which will... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Najel Monteiro

Najel Monteiro

Cultuurregisseur Delfshaven, Cultuur Concreet
avatar for Liam Noordzij

Liam Noordzij

Cultuurregisseur Hillegersberg-Schiebroek, Cultuur Concreet
avatar for Kevin Sherrod

Kevin Sherrod

Practice Area Leader - Arts & Culture, Gensler LA, Gensler / USC
I bring over a decade of experience in project design, visualization, geospatial modeling, and BIM coordination for projects across the U.S. and internationally. My work centers on building community resilience and advancing design justice primarily with communities of color. As a... Read More →
Monday May 19, 2025 12:30 - 13:30 PDT
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: Hope Street Lobby

12:30 PDT

[B/OUT] OWNERSHIP STRUCTURES TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY RESILIENCE & EQUITY
Monday May 19, 2025 12:30 - 13:30 PDT
"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.
Moderators
avatar for Emily Harney

Emily Harney

Senior Associate, AEA Consulting
Emily has over 15 years of leadership experience in the non-profit arts sector, with broad expertise across areas of strategy, planning and assessment; facilitation for cross-functional and interdisciplinary collaboration among diverse stakeholders; partnership and community engagement... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Prophet Walker

Prophet Walker

CEO, Treehouse & Community Labs
Prophet Walker, Co-Founder and CEO of Treehouse, grew up in South LA, where community thrived despite poverty and violence. At 16, he was sentenced to six years in adult prison, where he launched a state-wide program enabling inmates to earn two-year college degrees. Now serving thousands... Read More →
Monday May 19, 2025 12:30 - 13:30 PDT
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: Founders Room

13:30 PDT

LUNCH
Monday May 19, 2025 13:30 - 15:00 PDT
Monday May 19, 2025 13:30 - 15:00 PDT
Gloria Molina Grand Park

15:00 PDT

[FOCUS TRACK] BUILDING THE STORIES OF PLACE
Monday May 19, 2025 15:00 - 16:30 PDT
Focus Tracks are 90-minute sessions. Five presenters each give an 8-minute presentation from their specific context, tailored to fit the session topic. This is followed by a moderated discussion and Q&A. Three Focus Tracks run concurrently, repeated on 19 and 20 May. This Focus Track focuses on how design choices serve as vessels for past, present, and future narratives of places, and considers how architects and designers engage with communities to ensure the authenticity of the stories being told through their work.
Moderators
avatar for Antoni Durski

Antoni Durski

Senior Consultant, AEA Consulting
Antoni is a Senior Consultant with over a decade of experience bringing specialized expertise in business planning, financial modeling, investment strategies, and audience research methods for a wide range of clients in the cultural and creative industries.Projects have included work... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Regina Myer

Regina Myer

President, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership
Regina Myer is President of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (DBP), a not-for-profit local development corporation that serves as the primary champion for Downtown Brooklyn as a world-class business, cultural, educational, residential, and retail destination.Until 2016, Regina served... Read More →
avatar for Chris Obayda

Chris Obayda

Principal, Grimshaw
avatar for Mark Thomann

Mark Thomann

Director, Wilding X WHY
WILDING X WHY collaborates with a global network of diverse practitioners, drawing upon the expertise of horticulturalists, historians, geologists, and meteorologists, and sparking new ideas in the company of artists, activists, and community members. Through in-depth investigations... Read More →
avatar for Michael Volk

Michael Volk

Principal & Design Director | Global Lead for Culture & Museums, Gensler
With more than 28 years of experience designing, leading, and executing innovative architecture and urbanism projects in the U.S. and abroad, Michael brings his passion for design and his expertise as a forward-thinking and collaborative leader to his role as a global leader of Gensler's... Read More →
avatar for Claire Weisz

Claire Weisz

Principal, WXY architecture + urban design
Claire Weisz, RA, FAIA, Hon. RAIC, is a founding partner of WXY, a New York based studio globally recognized for its community-centered approach to design. Combining architecture and planning the practice works at all scales. WXY was one of Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative... Read More →
Monday May 19, 2025 15:00 - 16:30 PDT
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: Eva & Marc Stern Grand Hall

15:00 PDT

[PLACE-BASED PERFORMANCES] QUEER ANTHROPOLOGIES
Monday May 19, 2025 15:00 - 16:30 PDT
Public Spaces are both physical and metaphysical landscapes; layered with memory, ritual, and meanings that span generations. Richly infused with queer histories, the landscape of downtown Los Angeles is a cultural district in more than one sense. Amongst the monuments of civic architecture are stories of survival, resilience, subversion and triumph. When this landscape is viewed through an anthropological lense, the study of queer people and their ancestors through time and space can reveal a deeper understanding of the origin, nature, and destiny of this remarkable group of human beings.

How are queer histories embodied, imaged, narrated, and honored? What modes of storytelling connect us most immediately to cultural legacies, both recent and ancient? This session will feature exceptional multidisciplinary LGBTQIA+ performance artists in a guided progression through Gloria Molina Grand Park as part of the official programming for the GCDN annual convening in Los Angeles, California.
Moderators
avatar for Robin Abad Ocubillo

Robin Abad Ocubillo

Citywide Ombuds, City of Oakland, Co-Founder, Global LGBTQ Storytelling Congress
Robin Abad Ocubillo is a dedicated public servant with a passion for civic innovation in public space design, planning, evaluation, and policy.  For over a last decade, Robin has led several of placemaking programs at the City and County of San Francisco during a periods of intensive... Read More →
avatar for Eric Solis

Eric Solis

Event Producer / Architect, Fever / Imaginary Space
Eric Solis is a passionate learner, creator, community advocate and multidisciplinary design professional. A proud alumnus of the USC School of Architecture, Eric currently operates as an event producer with Fever and as a freelance design consultant under his own studio & practi... Read More →
Artists
Monday May 19, 2025 15:00 - 16:30 PDT
Gloria Molina Grand Park

15:00 PDT

[WORKSHOP] CULTIVATING SUSTAINABLE CREATIVE DISTRICTS: A GLOBAL DIALOGUE
Monday May 19, 2025 15:00 - 16:30 PDT
This workshop addresses the critical intersection of creative districts and sustainability, recognizing the vital role the cultural and creative sectors play in achieving global sustainability goals. It acknowledges the urgency imposed by the climate emergency, and the necessity of mitigation and adaptation to its consequences. It is also grounded in the understanding that cultural districts, with their diverse operations and community interactions, are key actors in promoting sustainable practices based on a four-legged model: ecology, economy, social and culture.
Moderators
avatar for Paula Trujillo

Paula Trujillo

Director of Strategy, Conexiones Creativas
As Strategy Director of Conexiones Creativas (CC), a finalist for the prestigious UNESCO World Creative Economy Award in 2023, I'm deeply committed to strengthening creative ecosystems across Latin America and Southern Europe. At CC, cultural and creative districts are our core focus... Read More →
avatar for Conrado Uribe

Conrado Uribe

Director of Contents, Conexiones Creativas
As Content Director of Conexiones Creativas (CC), a finalist for the prestigious UNESCO World Creative Economy Award in 2023, I'm deeply committed to strengthening creative ecosystems and cultural and creative districts (CCDs) across Latin America and Southern Europe. Since 2018 we... Read More →
Monday May 19, 2025 15:00 - 16:30 PDT
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: Grand Avenue Lobby

15:00 PDT

15:00 PDT

[WORKSHOP] WHAT'S HOT AND WHAT’S NOT? DIGITAL ART & PLACEMAKING FOR CULTURAL DISTRICTS
Monday May 19, 2025 15:00 - 16:30 PDT
Digital and experiential art can significantly enhance placemaking, transforming cultural districts into dynamic, memorable destinations. However, not all digital interventions deliver the same impact or return on investment. This practical workshop provides
public spaces and cultural leaders a clear, strategic framework to assess emerging trends, their applicability, benefits, and potential drawbacks in various placemaking contexts.

Guided by industry insights from Moment Factory, Daily tous les jours, Meow Wolf, Superblue, Jason Bruges Studio, Heatherwick Studio, Gensler, and other world-leading studios, participants will explore concrete examples and tools to evaluate when digital
creativity is worth investing in, and when caution might be advisable.
Moderators
avatar for Julie Dalbec

Julie Dalbec

Head of programming, HUB Montreal
Julie Dalbec has been a producer and creative leader for over 20 years in the fields of television, documentary, branded content, digital media, and podcasts. Her passion and constant thirst for challenge and innovation now lead her toward the production, artistic direction, and curation... Read More →
avatar for Jacquelyn West

Jacquelyn West

Senior Advisor, Public Realm Projects, QDSi
Art places. Culture spaces. Creative Economy.At the centre of a network of urbanists, artists and public space specialists, Jacquelyn’s passion is supporting the Canadian creative economy and catalyzing new opportunities for our cultural and creative industries. Here, and abroad... Read More →
Monday May 19, 2025 15:00 - 16:30 PDT
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: Founders Room

18:30 PDT

[BUS TOUR] LA CULTURAL NAVIGATORS: ROLLING DOWNTOWN TO CRENSHAW… TO DINNER!
Monday May 19, 2025 18:30 - 19:30 PDT
JOIN AN EXCLUSIVE PRE-DINNER GUIDED BUS TOUR
Beginning at The Music Center, this guided bus tour traces a cultural arc through Downtown Los Angeles – from the institutional spine and budding cultural district of Grand Avenue to the historically rich and creatively vibrant neighborhoods of Crenshaw and Leimert Park. Along the way, four expert guides will offer reflections from their windows on the city, sharing personal insights and professional perspectives on the layered stories that define these places.
The route ends at 3117 W Exposition Place, where GCDN affiliate members and local hosts RIOS will welcome us into their studios for a relaxed evening gathering – with delicious food, generous drinks, and great company to end the day on an even higher note!
  • Meeting time: 6:30pm PT – guests are expected to make their own way to the meeting point.
  • Meeting point: [WHERE?]
  • Duration: 60min
  • Capacity: 120 people, spread over 3 buses – spots will be allocated on a first come first serve basis
  • Additional details: drinks and nibbles will be available on the buses
Speakers
avatar for John C. Arroyo

John C. Arroyo

Assistant Professor, Urban Studies and Planning, UC San Diego
John C. Arroyo, is Assistant Professor of Urban Studies and Planning at the University of California San Diego. Previously, Dr. Arroyo was an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fellow in Latino Studies at the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Arroyo received his doctorate... Read More →
avatar for Demar Matthews

Demar Matthews

Founder and Principal, Off TOP Design
Demar Matthews is a Los Angeles based architectural designer, theorist, and writer. Born in Moreno Valley, CA, Demar received his Bachelor’s from HBCU Lincoln University of PA, and his Master’s of Architecture at Woodbury University where he was awarded the Graduate Thesis Prize... Read More →
avatar for Aaron Paley

Aaron Paley

President, Community Arts Resources
Aaron Paley is President and Co-founder of Community Arts Resources (CARS). Aaron and business partner Katie Bergin founded CARS in 1989 upon the principles of strategic collaboration, connectivity, exploration and celebration. With over 40 years of experience, Aaron's work has garnered... Read More →
avatar for Howard Sherman

Howard Sherman

Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, The Music Center
Monday May 19, 2025 18:30 - 19:30 PDT
Walt Disney Concert Hall: Grand Staircase

19:30 PDT

HOSTED DINNER
Monday May 19, 2025 19:30 - 22:30 PDT
Monday May 19, 2025 19:30 - 22:30 PDT
RIOS
 
Tuesday, May 20
 

09:00 PDT

10:00 PDT

STORIES OF PLACE: LOS ANGELES
Tuesday May 20, 2025 10:00 - 11:00 PDT
Successful placemaking involves many factors – community involvement, access, design and safety, to name just a few – but perhaps the most critical element lies in the stories we tell about places, their authenticity, their appeal, and their congruence with physical reality. Humans search for meaning, and we experience cities through the lens of the narratives attached to them.

Nowhere is this more evident – or more complex – than in Los Angeles. LA exists in the interstices of overlapping and competing narratives. The city of noir and Hollywood mythmaking, of extremes in wealth and poverty, multiple cultures and diasporas, perpetual motion and reinvention… it resists easy definition. For many – whether American or from overseas – it remains the most elusive U.S. city to understand. Unlike the structured grids of New York and Chicago, or the civic core of San Francisco, Los Angeles is a place of dispersion, layering, and constant reimagination.

What, then, is ‘place’ in LA, let alone placemaking? What role do cultural anchors like The Music Center play in grounding this city’s identity? How can the arts help define and strengthen cohesion in a city that is, by its very nature, decentered? And, in this era of polarization, how does cultural policy reflect this? This session explores placemaking in a city that defies the concept – and in a moment when the very idea of shared narratives is unraveling.
Moderators
avatar for Mandalít del Barco

Mandalít del Barco

Entertainment Correspondent, NPR West
As an arts correspondent based at NPR West, Mandalit del Barco reports and produces stories about film, television, music, visual arts, dance and other topics. Over the years, she has also covered everything from street gangs to Hollywood, police and prisons, marijuana, immigration... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Jason Foster

Jason Foster

President & CEO, Destination Crenshaw
Jason Foster is the President & Chief Operating Officer of Destination Crenshaw. In this role, Jason's main responsibilities are to oversee the administration and operations of the nonprofit, manage the organization’s finances and reporting, communicate with and support the Board... Read More →
avatar for Rachel Moore

Rachel Moore

President & CEO, The Music Center: Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles
Rachel S. Moore is president and CEO of The Music Center, Los Angeles’ premier performing arts center. In that capacity, she leads the $70 million company that manages The Music Center campus and operates and programs Grand Park on behalf of the County of Los Angeles. In total... Read More →
avatar for Miguel Santana

Miguel Santana

President & CEO, California Community Foundation
Miguel A. Santana has more than three decades of expertise in government, nonprofit, private, philanthropy and the community sectors and is renowned as an advocate for systems change and making Southern California a more equitable place for all its residents, especially those who... Read More →
Tuesday May 20, 2025 10:00 - 11:00 PDT
Walt Disney Concert Hall: BP Hall

11:00 PDT

11:30 PDT

BREAK & BREAKOUT
Tuesday May 20, 2025 11:30 - 12:00 PDT
Tuesday May 20, 2025 11:30 - 12:00 PDT
Walt Disney Concert Hall: BP Hall

12:00 PDT

[B/OUT] CULTURE, CLIMATE, AND THE FUTURE OF PLACE
Tuesday May 20, 2025 12:00 - 13:00 PDT
As cities worldwide confront the accelerating challenges of climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation, resilience has become a defining priority in urban development. While much of the focus is on infrastructure and policy, cultural and creative interventions offer powerful tools for shaping how communities adapt, persist, and reimagine their futures in the face of ecological uncertainty. This session explores the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban resilience, examining how cultural districts, artists, and civic initiatives worldwide are integrating ecological consciousness into the narratives of place. How can creative strategies help cities respond to climate pressures while strengthening social cohesion and local identity? What role can public art, conservation efforts, and cultural programming play in fostering sustainable urban ecosystems? And how can cultural leaders move beyond symbolic gestures to embed meaningful, action-driven climate commitments into the fabric of their work?
Moderators
avatar for Freya Stannard

Freya Stannard

Director, Exhibition Road Cultural Group
Speakers
avatar for Denise Fairchild

Denise Fairchild

President Emeritus, Emerald Cities Collaborative
From 2010 to 2022, Denise Fairchild served as the inaugural President and CEO of Emerald Cities Collaborative, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to greening cities across the US, building resilient local economies, and ensuring equity and inclusion in both the process and outcomes of a green and healthy economy.In this role, she built community-led partnerships with labor, environmental... Read More →
avatar for Sheena Khan

Sheena Khan

Head - Environment & Culture Programs, Expo City Dubai (Terra)
Sheena is a sustainability leader with over 17 years of professional experience, specialized in leading on Biodiversity, Corporate Sustainability and Environmental Education programs. Sheena has managed teams and projects involving key global and UAE-based sustainability stakeholders... Read More →
avatar for Daniel Tobin

Daniel Tobin

Founder & Creative Director, UAP | Urban Art Projects
Daniel Tobin is co-founder and creative director of UAP, which creates public art programs that humanise our cities by embedding creativity in the hearts and minds of its populace. He has worked with many renowned artists and architects to deliver programs that activate our public... Read More →
Tuesday May 20, 2025 12:00 - 13:00 PDT
Walt Disney Concert Hall: W.M. Keck Children's Amphitheatre

12:00 PDT

[B/OUT] MUST WE BUILD IT FOR THEM TO COME?
Tuesday May 20, 2025 12:00 - 13:00 PDT
Cities often turn to large-scale cultural infrastructure to drive urban renewal, but can festivals—ephemeral by nature—serve as equally powerful anchors? Unlike permanent institutions, festivals offer a flexible, participatory approach to shaping narratives of place, fostering local engagement, and catalyzing cultural and economic revitalization. Yet, their impermanence raises a key question: can they leave a lasting imprint that aligns with long-term cultural and urban development goals?

This session examines the role of festivals in urban redevelopment, weighing their potential to embed cultural identity against their transient nature. How are cities leveraging festivals to reimagine their cultural landscapes? When does cultural programming prove to be the most effective tool for transformation, and when does it give rise to lasting institutions or infrastructure? And how can cities best calibrate these approaches to align with their broader vision for urban and cultural life?
Moderators
avatar for Joe Wilson Jr.

Joe Wilson Jr.

Director, Department of Art, Culture and Tourism, City of Providence
Hello!  My name is Joe Wilson, Jr. and I am the Director of Art, Culture and Tourism for the City of Providence, U.S.A.Mr. Wilson, Jr. holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Notre Dame, and an MFA in Acting from the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theatre training... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Darren Grice

Darren Grice

Director of Culture, Salford Culture and Place Partnership / Salford City Council
avatar for Natasha Sharma

Natasha Sharma

Co-founder, Govandi Arts Festival, Community Design Agency
Natasha is an artist-researcher and urban practitioner based in Mumbai, India. Her practice illustrates the role of arts and culture as a crucial scaffolding to urban development. Through artistic-community engagements, she creates social and spatial interventions of pause and play... Read More →
avatar for Joan Weinstein

Joan Weinstein

Director, Getty Foundation
Joan Weinstein is director of the Getty Foundation. Since joining Getty, she has directed grant initiatives internationally related to art history, conservation, and museum practice, and is the co-creator of Pacific Standard Time, a Getty-funded initiative of thematically linked exhibitions... Read More →
Tuesday May 20, 2025 12:00 - 13:00 PDT
Walt Disney Concert Hall: BP Hall

12:00 PDT

[B/OUT] RECLAIMING SPACE: HOW FEMINIST AND COMMUNITY-LED SPATIAL PRACTICES CAN SHAPE MORE INCLUSIVE CITIES
Tuesday May 20, 2025 12:00 - 13:00 PDT
How can community-driven urban design practices reshape our cities to be more just, inclusive, and reflective of diverse lived experiences? This panel brings together three visionary women whose work lies at the intersection of design, spatial justice, feminist urban practice, and community engagement. Through architecture, participatory design, and cultural interventions that center community voice, these facilitators and urbanists challenge power structures, reclaim marginalized histories, and co-create environments that prioritize equity and belonging.

Speakers will discuss how spatial justice and feminist perspectives can disrupt traditional urban planning, center historically marginalized voices, and embed the narratives, histories, and lived experience of underrepresented communities into the built environment. This conversation will explore how thoughtful human-centered urban design imbued with a sense of place, and community-led design can make cities not only more inclusive but also more deeply connected to the people who inhabit them—ensuring that those historically left out of decision-making processes are seen, heard, and represented in urban space.
Moderators
avatar for Catalina Casas

Catalina Casas

Consultant, AEA Consulting
Catalina brings experience in strategy creation, business planning, concept development, feasibility studies, and project management. Among her project work at AEA, she has led cultural planning work for the Lincoln Road BID (Miami Beach), supported strategic planning processes for... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Theresa Hyuna Hwang

Theresa Hyuna Hwang

Executive Director, Department of Beloved Places
Dept. of Places is directed by Theresa Hyuna Hwang (she/her), a community-engaged architect, educator, and facilitator. She has spent over 15 years focused on equitable cultural and community development with multiple groups and campaigns. Theresa/Hyuna draws upon her experiences... Read More →
avatar for Maya Shpiro

Maya Shpiro

Social Impact & Co-creation Lead, Building Diversity
As an anthropologist and co-creation specialist, I bridge between qualitative social research and spatial design by bringing intersectional perspectives and experiential qualities to the forefront of design processes.I am passionate about the interdependence of the social, cultural... Read More →
avatar for Geraldina Interiano Wise

Geraldina Interiano Wise

Artist / Board Chair & Co-Founder, ALMAAHH
I’m an artivist- a multimedia environmental Latina artist in Texas- using the art platform for my overarching themes of connectivity to the planet and to each other. As an artist, I operate in a context, and my art is born out it. The time for Latinos in the USA to connect, be understood... Read More →
Tuesday May 20, 2025 12:00 - 13:00 PDT
Walt Disney Concert Hall: Founders Room

12:00 PDT

[B/OUT] STORYTELLING FOR CHANGE: RESISTANCE, RENEWAL, AND REIMAGINING
Tuesday May 20, 2025 12:00 - 13:00 PDT
What do you make of the moment? Can you see yourself fully reflected in the story of your beloved place on the map? How has that place been renamed, reimagined, or erased over its history? And how will the next generation tell the story of our time – and are you okay with what they’ll say… or won’t?

We are living in an era when extreme nationalist agendas are aggressively working to erase the full spectrum of human history. In the face of this removal, remembering forgotten narratives becomes an act of resistance, and surfacing new stories allows communities to reclaim place and shape legacy with dignity and purpose.

For cultural districts, the collective meaning-making that goes into the story of place is not just a reflection of the past – it’s a tool to future-proof identity. This session explores how cultural leaders can move from being custodians of inherited stories to becoming agents of change through the strategic, community-driven use of narrative – drawing on the Los Angeles context to examine how stories rooted in place can ignite action and shape a more just and inclusive future.
Moderators
avatar for Stephanie Fortunato

Stephanie Fortunato

Director of Special Projects, Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN)
I am the Global Cultural Districts Network’s Special Projects Director and co-host of The Three Bells podcast, produced by AEA Consulting. I'm looking forward to speaking with people about GCDN's research projects, partnerships, the global co-commission, and our podcast.My approach... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Kristin Fukushima

Kristin Fukushima

Director, Little Tokyo Community Council
avatar for Karen E. Mack

Karen E. Mack

CEO, LA Commons
Karen E. Mack is the founder and CEO of LA Commons, a South LA-based nonprofit implementing artistic and cultural programs that reflect the unique character of diverse neighborhoods and give residents, particularly young people, a voice and an on-ramp to making positive change across... Read More →
avatar for Leticia Rhi Buckley

Leticia Rhi Buckley

CEO, La Plaza de Cultura y Artes
Leticia is a mom, wife, the daughter of Mexican immigrants, born and raised in East Los Angeles. She has built a career developing programs and guiding public policy that connects the dots between historically under-resourced communities and the arts. Leticia is Chief Executive Officer... Read More →
Tuesday May 20, 2025 12:00 - 13:00 PDT
Walt Disney Concert Hall: Choral Hall

13:00 PDT

LUNCH
Tuesday May 20, 2025 13:00 - 14:30 PDT
Tuesday May 20, 2025 13:00 - 14:30 PDT
Blue Ribbon Garden

14:30 PDT

[FOCUS TRACK] BUILDING THE STORIES OF PLACE
Tuesday May 20, 2025 14:30 - 16:00 PDT
Focus Tracks are 90-minute sessions. Five presenters each give an 8-minute presentation from their specific context, tailored to fit the session topic. This is followed by a moderated discussion and Q&A. Three Focus Tracks run concurrently, repeated on 19 and 20 May. This Focus Track focuses on how design choices serve as vessels for past, present, and future narratives of places, and considers how architects and designers engage with communities to ensure the authenticity of the stories being told through their work.
Moderators
avatar for Antoni Durski

Antoni Durski

Senior Consultant, AEA Consulting
Antoni is a Senior Consultant with over a decade of experience bringing specialized expertise in business planning, financial modeling, investment strategies, and audience research methods for a wide range of clients in the cultural and creative industries.Projects have included work... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Regina Myer

Regina Myer

President, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership
Regina Myer is President of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (DBP), a not-for-profit local development corporation that serves as the primary champion for Downtown Brooklyn as a world-class business, cultural, educational, residential, and retail destination.Until 2016, Regina served... Read More →
avatar for Chris Obayda

Chris Obayda

Principal, Grimshaw
avatar for Mark Thomann

Mark Thomann

Director, Wilding X WHY
WILDING X WHY collaborates with a global network of diverse practitioners, drawing upon the expertise of horticulturalists, historians, geologists, and meteorologists, and sparking new ideas in the company of artists, activists, and community members. Through in-depth investigations... Read More →
avatar for Michael Volk

Michael Volk

Principal & Design Director | Global Lead for Culture & Museums, Gensler
With more than 28 years of experience designing, leading, and executing innovative architecture and urbanism projects in the U.S. and abroad, Michael brings his passion for design and his expertise as a forward-thinking and collaborative leader to his role as a global leader of Gensler's... Read More →
Tuesday May 20, 2025 14:30 - 16:00 PDT
Walt Disney Concert Hall: BP Hall

14:30 PDT

[PLACE-BASED PERFORMANCES] QUEER ANTHROPOLOGIES
Tuesday May 20, 2025 14:30 - 16:00 PDT
Public Spaces are both physical and metaphysical landscapes; layered with memory, ritual, and meanings that span generations. Richly infused with queer histories, the landscape of downtown Los Angeles is a cultural district in more than one sense. Amongst the monuments of civic architecture are stories of survival, resilience, subversion and triumph. When this landscape is viewed through an anthropological lense, the study of queer people and their ancestors through time and space can reveal a deeper understanding of the origin, nature, and destiny of this remarkable group of human beings.

How are queer histories embodied, imaged, narrated, and honored? What modes of storytelling connect us most immediately to cultural legacies, both recent and ancient? This session will feature exceptional multidisciplinary LGBTQIA+ performance artists in a guided progression through Gloria Molina Grand Park as part of the official programming for the GCDN annual convening in Los Angeles, California.
Moderators
avatar for Robin Abad Ocubillo

Robin Abad Ocubillo

Citywide Ombuds, City of Oakland, Co-Founder, Global LGBTQ Storytelling Congress
Robin Abad Ocubillo is a dedicated public servant with a passion for civic innovation in public space design, planning, evaluation, and policy.  For over a last decade, Robin has led several of placemaking programs at the City and County of San Francisco during a periods of intensive... Read More →
avatar for Eric Solis

Eric Solis

Event Producer / Architect, Fever / Imaginary Space
Eric Solis is a passionate learner, creator, community advocate and multidisciplinary design professional. A proud alumnus of the USC School of Architecture, Eric currently operates as an event producer with Fever and as a freelance design consultant under his own studio & practi... Read More →
Artists
Tuesday May 20, 2025 14:30 - 16:00 PDT
Gloria Molina Grand Park

14:30 PDT

[WORKSHOP] CULTIVATING SUSTAINABLE CREATIVE DISTRICTS: A GLOBAL DIALOGUE
Tuesday May 20, 2025 14:30 - 16:00 PDT
This workshop addresses the critical intersection of creative districts and sustainability, recognizing the vital role the cultural and creative sectors play in achieving global sustainability goals. It acknowledges the urgency imposed by the climate emergency, and the necessity of mitigation and adaptation to its consequences. It is also grounded in the understanding that cultural districts, with their diverse operations and community interactions, are key actors in promoting sustainable practices based on a four-legged model: ecology, economy, social and culture.
Moderators
avatar for Paula Trujillo

Paula Trujillo

Director of Strategy, Conexiones Creativas
As Strategy Director of Conexiones Creativas (CC), a finalist for the prestigious UNESCO World Creative Economy Award in 2023, I'm deeply committed to strengthening creative ecosystems across Latin America and Southern Europe. At CC, cultural and creative districts are our core focus... Read More →
avatar for Conrado Uribe

Conrado Uribe

Director of Contents, Conexiones Creativas
As Content Director of Conexiones Creativas (CC), a finalist for the prestigious UNESCO World Creative Economy Award in 2023, I'm deeply committed to strengthening creative ecosystems and cultural and creative districts (CCDs) across Latin America and Southern Europe. Since 2018 we... Read More →
Tuesday May 20, 2025 14:30 - 16:00 PDT
Walt Disney Concert Hall: LAPA CONFERENCE ROOM

14:30 PDT

14:30 PDT

[WORKSHOP] WHAT'S HOT AND WHAT’S NOT? DIGITAL ART & PLACEMAKING FOR CULTURAL DISTRICTS
Tuesday May 20, 2025 14:30 - 16:00 PDT
Digital and experiential art can significantly enhance placemaking, transforming cultural districts into dynamic, memorable destinations. However, not all digital interventions deliver the same impact or return on investment. This practical workshop provides
public spaces and cultural leaders a clear, strategic framework to assess emerging trends, their applicability, benefits, and potential drawbacks in various placemaking contexts.

Guided by industry insights from Moment Factory, Daily tous les jours, Meow Wolf, Superblue, Jason Bruges Studio, Heatherwick Studio, Gensler, and other world-leading studios, participants will explore concrete examples and tools to evaluate when digital
creativity is worth investing in, and when caution might be advisable.
Moderators
avatar for Julie Dalbec

Julie Dalbec

Head of programming, HUB Montreal
Julie Dalbec has been a producer and creative leader for over 20 years in the fields of television, documentary, branded content, digital media, and podcasts. Her passion and constant thirst for challenge and innovation now lead her toward the production, artistic direction, and curation... Read More →
avatar for Jacquelyn West

Jacquelyn West

Senior Advisor, Public Realm Projects, QDSi
Art places. Culture spaces. Creative Economy.At the centre of a network of urbanists, artists and public space specialists, Jacquelyn’s passion is supporting the Canadian creative economy and catalyzing new opportunities for our cultural and creative industries. Here, and abroad... Read More →
Tuesday May 20, 2025 14:30 - 16:00 PDT
Walt Disney Concert Hall: Founders Room

16:00 PDT

16:45 PDT

WELCOME TO THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Tuesday May 20, 2025 16:45 - 17:00 PDT
Speakers
avatar for Stacy Lieberman

Stacy Lieberman

President and CEO, Library Foundation of Los Angeles
As President and CEO, Stacy Lieberman leads LFLA’s fundraising, programming, and advocacy work to help enhance the Los Angeles Public Library’s critical mission to provide free and easy access to information, ideas, books, and technology. Her own love of libraries began in suburban... Read More →
Tuesday May 20, 2025 16:45 - 17:00 PDT
Los Angeles Central Library: Mark Taper Auditorium

17:00 PDT

REDEFINING RELEVANCE: WHO DO WE DO THIS FOR?
Tuesday May 20, 2025 17:00 - 18:00 PDT
Cultural institutions are increasingly being asked to demonstrate not just artistic excellence, but public value. As audiences shift, diversify, or disappear altogether, the question of relevance is no longer rhetorical—it is existential.

This closing session returns to some of the questions raised at the start of the convening—about leadership, values, and responsibility—but asks them with a longer view. How do we define relevance in a moment where institutional trust is faltering, cultural debates are increasingly politicized, and traditional metrics of success no longer hold? And how can leaders respond—not just to the pressures of the present, but with a sense of care and commitment toward those who will come next?

Drawing on insights from across the programme, this conversation explores what it takes to build institutions that are not only relevant today, but capable of evolving tomorrow. What does it mean to lead with relevance as a civic practice, not just a strategic imperative? And how do we cultivate the courage, imagination, and humility to make space for new voices—ensuring that relevance is not something we defend, but something we continually co-create?
Moderators
avatar for Elaine Bedell

Elaine Bedell

CEO, Southbank Centre
As CEO of Southbank, Elaine manages the largest arts centre in Europe. Southbank is a cultural and commercial site of 11 acres along the River Thames in the centre of London. It is 37% public funded - the rest is funded from commercial enterprise (tickets, restaurants and retail... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Elly Andriopoulou

Elly Andriopoulou

Managing Director, SNFCC
Elly Andriopoulou is the Managing Director of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), appointed in June 2020 and renewed in December 2023. Before joining the SNFCC, Elly held leadership positions in banking, strategy consulting, and most recently, philanthropy.More... Read More →
avatar for Skye Patrick

Skye Patrick

County Librarian, LA County Library
Skye Patrick was appointed to lead LA County Library on February 1, 2016. With a career spanning leadership roles at Broward County Library, Queens Public Library in New York, and San Francisco Public Library, she oversees LA County Library's $201 million annual budget and 86 libraries... Read More →
avatar for Alex Sarian

Alex Sarian

President & CEO, Arts Commons
Alex Sarian is the President & CEO of Arts Commons, a bestselling author, and a sought-after speaker on the topic of institutional relevance. Known for his commitment to civic engagement, his fundraising expertise, and his experience designing sustainable business models in the arts... Read More →
Tuesday May 20, 2025 17:00 - 18:00 PDT
Los Angeles Central Library: Mark Taper Auditorium

18:00 PDT

CLOSING SESSION
Tuesday May 20, 2025 18:00 - 18:30 PDT
Speakers
avatar for Gregorio Lucena Scarpella

Gregorio Lucena Scarpella

Director, Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN)
Greg is the Director of the Global Cultural Districts Network (GCDN), a dynamic membership organization of over 60 international cultural districts with a mission to improve the quality of urban life through the arts, culture and creative industries.As Director of GCDN, Greg is responsible... Read More →
avatar for Adrian Ellis

Adrian Ellis

Chair, GCDN, Director, AEA Consulting
I am a Director of AEA Consulting and chair of the Global Cultural Districts Network. I have worked in senior management and as a board member in both museums and the performing arts and as a strategy consultant to clients in the cultural, public, and business sectors around the world... Read More →
Tuesday May 20, 2025 18:00 - 18:30 PDT
Los Angeles Central Library: Mark Taper Auditorium

18:30 PDT

 
Share Modal

Share this link via

Or copy link

Filter sessions
Apply filters to sessions.