This year’s arts summit will feature a new twist: a free concert – and an unusual one, at that. The 8th annual Business/Arts Summit will present “Freedom Sings,” a multi-media performance about the history of music censorship in America.
“It drives home the importance of artistic expression, while being immensely entertaining” says Audrey Muse, executive director of the summit’s host, the Arts and Business Partnership of Southern NJ.
Indeed, Freedom Sings features an all-star band including Bill Lloyd of Foster & Lloyd, Grammy-winners Don Henry and Craig Krampf, movie soundtrack singer Jonell Mosser, keyboardist Joseph Wooten from the Steve Miller Band, and vocalist/actress Shonka Dukureh.
The program is a production of the First Amendment Center, which works to preserve freedom of speech and other rights.
The summit will still include its standard activities: a keynote speaker, panel discussions by local and national arts leaders, exhibits, networking opportunities, and award presentations.
A NJ-based panel will discuss cultural priorities for the next decade, followed by input from a national group.
The speakers will also emphasize a “regional approach” to the arts, says Muse, and how arts organizations and businesses can help each other.
“I think businesses aren’t aware of the benefits the arts offer,” she says. “If you have a vibrant arts community around you, you attract qualified employees and the community is enriched.”
Muse also encourages private individuals to attend the summit.
“We’d like the public to become more aware they can take an active role in the cultural institutions right where they live,” she notes. “We’ll match them up with an arts organization.”
Summit participants will have many chances to meet each other over breakfast and lunch, and in an exhibit area manned by about 25 arts groups. Plus, the concert should give them plenty to talk about.
“It’s very relevant. It shows the inherent partnerships between the arts and the rest of society,” says Muse.
The summit will be held Thu Apr 27, 7:30a to 2p, at the Enterprise Center, Burlington County College, Mt. Laurel.
Full admission, including continental breakfast and lunch, is $65. Admission to the concert only (10:45a to 12:30p) is free. Info: 856-662-0888
