Annual Luncheon Connects Arts and Business Communities 

DUBUQUE, Iowa – The City of Dubuque’s 4th Annual Arts & Business Luncheon will be held from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the Grand River Center at 500 Bell Street.  Local businesses, creative entrepreneurs, artists, and arts organizations are invited to attend to learn more about the relationship between arts and business and the shared impact they have on the community.

The theme for the event is “Creative People Power” and will feature a keynote address by Carl Atiya Swanson, associate program director with Springboard for the Arts of Minneapolis and Fergus Falls, Minn. His presentation will explore Springboard for the Arts’ Creative People Power framework which combines creativity-driven and people-centered development to build strong, healthy, and resilient communities. In addition to Swanson’s keynote, the luncheon will feature a conversation with local champions of arts and business cross-sector collaboration including Brad and Jillayne Pinchuk of Hirschbach Trucking, Jeff Mozena of Premier Bank, and Mark Wahlert of Dubuque Symphony Orchestra.

“We continue to build upon the momentum inspired by our inaugural Arts & Business Luncheon to nurture collaboration, coordination, and communications across the arts and business sectors,” says Jenni Petersen-Brant, arts and cultural affairs coordinator for the City of Dubuque. “The Arts Mean Business planning committee and I are especially excited to include a panel conversation featuring the local leaders who are defining new paradigms for how business and the arts can partner to create a better Dubuque.”

In addition to the Arts & Business Luncheon, an Arts & Business Academy workshop will be held in the evening of Nov. 19 at Smokestack at 62 E. 7th St. in Dubuque from 6:30 – 8 p.m. The Arts & Business Academy aims to provide professional development and business skills training for artists, creative entrepreneurs, and arts and culture non-profits. This year’s workshop will be led by Swanson as he highlights project ideation and program development strategies. Light bites will be served and a cash bar will be available.

These events are coordinated by the City of Dubuque’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs along with a planning committee of resident volunteers. The luncheon is sponsored by Travel Dubuque and the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce with additional support from Springboard for the Arts, Dubuque Main Street, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, Hirschbach Trucking, Premier Bank, and the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra.

The cost for the luncheon is $25 per person.  Admission to the academy workshop is $5 and includes light hors d’oeuvres. Space for both is limited.  Please RSVP by Friday, Nov. 15, at www.cityofdubuque.org/artsandculture.  Need-based fee waivers are available for those on a fixed or limited income; please contact City of Dubuque Arts and Cultural Affairs Coordinator Jenni Petersen-Brant at 563-690-6059 or jbrant@cityofdubuque.org to request.

# # #