Crossing Borders: The Value of Cultural Exchange and How It Can Be Anchored, Encouraged, and Assessed

Tuesday, October 19, 9:30 am – 11:00 am

Organized by Alan Cooper, executive director, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, on behalf of the six U.S. regional arts organizations.

Presented by Ronald K. Brown, artistic director, Evidence, A Dance Company; Ken Fischer, president, University Musical Society; Simon Gammell, director, British Council, West Coast, USA; Christopher Merrill, director, International Writing Program, University of Iowa; Pennie Ojeda, director, International Activities, National Endownment for the Arts; Maura M. Pally, deputy assistant secretary of state for professional and cultural exchange, U.S. Department of State.

With global commerce and communications accelerating as a result of rapidly developing technologies, the world continues to become smaller and more connected. Yet people from different cultures increasingly find themselves in conflict or lacking basic understanding of each other. In this evolving milieu, what contribution can cultural exchange in the arts make towards greater understanding between the United States and the rest of the world? This session will examine the impact of person-to-person international cultural exchange, as well as the systems that need to be in place to anchor, encourage, and assess the impact of international exchange.


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