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S4:E9 From New Haven with love… Adriane Jefferson in conversation with Stephanie Fortunato

Our host, Stephanie Fortunato speaks to Adriane Jefferson, Director of Cultural Affairs for the City of New Haven. They discuss cultural equity planning at a city level, the fundamental shifts it has facilitated for New Haven, as well as the challenges and opportunities of creating a living and actionable plan to create a more equitable and more culturally diverse ecosystem, written for and by the people.

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S3:E12 The puppet is innocent... Basil Jones & Adrian Kohler in conversation with Stephanie Fortunato

In the final episode of the 2023 season, our host, Stephanie Fortunato, speaks with Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler, founders of Handspring Puppet Company, whose monumental works include War Horse and Little Amal. They discuss the role of puppetry in storytelling, building new audiences, activism and bridging connections between communities.

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S3:E9 From Detroit with love… David Cowan in conversation with Stephanie Fortunato

In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with David Cowan, Chief Public Spaces Officer at the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP). David expands on the work of DDP in developing public spaces that place the wishes and needs of Detroiters at the forefront. The two go on to discuss the numerous attributes that create a successful vibrant public space; from programming to financial models to public safety, DDP considers it all.

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S3:E7 A monumental pull... Paul Farber in conversation with Stephanie Fortunato

In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Paul Farber, Director and Co-Founder of Monument Lab. They discuss the origins of Monument Lab and the value of boundaries for healthy collaboration. The two also discuss Monument Lab’s Pulling Together – a summer 2023 public art exhibition bringing forward new perspectives on Washington D.C.’s National Mall.

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S3:E3 Committed to creative resilience – Matthew Ché Kowal & Molly North in conversation with Stephanie Fortunato

In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato talks with Matthew Che Kowal and Molly North, founders of Majestic Collaborations – a company that takes an experiential learning approach to community preparedness, specifically using music, art, and cultural festivals as an immersive classroom. The three discuss Majestic Collaborations’ Four Pillars model for successful events: Safety, Sustainability, Accessibility, and Community Engagement.

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S2:E10 Curating a cultural powerhouse – Simon Cane in conversation with Stephanie Fortunato

In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Simon Cane, Director of Cultural Engagement at UCL, and Chair of the King’s Cross Knowledge Quarter. They talk about the ingredients and deep understanding of context required to shape cultural and educational powerhouses that promote inclusive growth, diversification within the sector, and community engagement.

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S2:E7 Networks for arts, culture, health, and wellbeing – Rosie Dow in conversation with Stephanie Fortunato

In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Rosie Dow, Manager of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Arts and Health at UCL. They talk about Rosie’s new role at UCL, her previous work leading “HARP”, the health benefits of singing, as well as the essential role of networks in the field of arts and health.

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S2:E6 Playful public spaces – Ilana Altman in conversation with Stephanie Fortunato

In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Ilana Altman, Co-Executive Director, about The Bentway’s artful and playful approach to activating public spaces – as illustrated by their 2021 Playing in Public season and accompanying Play Provocations resource that encourages cities to become more play-friendly. After, Stephanie is joined by fellow host Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways.

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S2:E3 Beyond physical infrastructure – Vilma Jurkute in conversation with Adrian Ellis

In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Vilma Jurkute, Executive Director of Alserkal in Dubai. They discuss how Alserkal’s commitment to facilitating open dialogue, mapping geographies of practice, and building a repository of knowledge for future generations have catalysed the development of a cultural ecosystem that goes beyond physical infrastructure. After, Adrian is joined by Stephanie Fortunato to discuss key takeaways.

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S2:E2 We Are Dallas Arts – Lily Cabatu Weiss in conversation with Stephanie Fortunato

In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Lily Cabatu Weiss, Executive Director of the Dallas Arts District. They talk about the importance of collaboration amongst cultural leaders and institutions, especially in times of crisis, in enabling resource-sharing, knowledge transfer, synergy, and increased support from all stakeholders – as illustrated by the We Are Dallas Arts initiative. After, Stephanie is joined by Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways.

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S1:E12 Developing and revitalizing communities – Veronica Smith in conversation with Stephanie Fortunato

In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Veronica Smith, author of "When Communities Disappear". They discuss the interdependent relationship between economic and community development, and emphasize the imperative need to build and sustain healthy communities by being authentic and enabling access to resources. After, Stephanie is joined by Adrian Ellis to discuss key takeaways.

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S1:E11 Civic creativity and creative bureaucracy – Charles Landry in conversation with Adrian Ellis

In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with author and renowned urban expert Charles Landry. They go over his remarkable career, retracing the route and influences which led him to his famed Creative City concept. They also discuss his current focus on creative bureaucracy – best illustrated by his annual Creative Bureaucracy Festival. After, Adrian is joined by Stephanie Fortunato to explore key takeaways.

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S1:E10 On storytelling, leadership, and wisdom – Wesley Enoch in conversation with Criena Gehrke

In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with playwright, artistic director, and Indigenous leader Wesley Enoch about the role of storytelling, leadership and wisdom in elevating and amplifying the voices of Indigenous artists and cultures. They also highlight the importance of advocating for the intrinsic value of the arts, particularly in terms of celebrating differences and encouraging dialogue. After, Criena is joined Stephanie Fortunato to discuss key takeaways.

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S1:E9 Toward intercultural understanding and empathy – Manal Ataya in conversation with Criena Gehrke

In this episode, our host Criena Gehrke speaks with Manal Ataya, the Director General of the Sharjah Museums Authority. They discuss the educational value of the arts, particularly in terms of promoting inclusivity and diversity as well as cultivating empathy. After, Criena is joined by Stephanie Fortunato to discuss key takeaways.

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S1:E6 Embedding hope through creative placemaking – Jia-Ping Lee in conversation with Stephanie Fortunato

In this episode, our host Stephanie Fortunato speaks with Jia-Ping Lee, an urban rejuvenator and place consultant based in Malaysia, about her inspirational journey as a placemaker who has been advocating and creating better places to live, work and play. After, Stephanie is joined by Adrian Ellis to discuss key takeaways.

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