(Fort Worth, TX) Thursday, February 13, 2025 – The inaugural Arts Forward Summit is set to bring together artists, arts leaders, policymakers, and community advocates for a transformative event focused on driving innovation and equity in the arts. Hosted by Arts Fort Worth, this summit will take place on Saturday, March 29 at Texas Wesleyan University. Attendees can engage with arts leaders from the city and state and be part of conversations that connect and build up our community.
Wesley Gentle, Executive Director of Arts Fort Worth, said “Every day, I and the Arts Fort Worth team get to be inspired by professional artists and arts administrators, hard-working students exploring a new art form, and passionate supporters who pour their hearts into making the arts accessible and available to everyone. I'm lucky to see this local arts ecosystem from so many perspectives, and I'm thrilled that the Arts Forward Summit now makes it possible for hundreds more to experience this tapestry of creativity we have here in Fort Worth.”
With a mission to create belonging and strengthen relationships between local creatives, arts organizations, policymakers, and the broader community, Arts Fort Worth’s Arts Forward Summit will explore pressing topics facing the arts today. Through dynamic tracks and inspiring sessions, attendees can expect to dive into specialized areas:
- Beyond the Classroom: The Arts & Education
Arts education extends far beyond traditional classrooms. This track explores how innovative approaches, partnerships, and institutions are shaping the future of arts learning- ensuring creativity remains accessible, relevant, and impactful for all.
- Prescription: Arts: The Arts & Healing
The arts have long been a powerful tool for healing, helping individuals and communities navigate mental, physical, and collective well-being. This track explores the transformative role of the arts in healthcare, therapy, and community resilience.
- Evolving Perspectives: The Arts & Innovation
The arts are constantly evolving, shaped by new technologies and creative breakthroughs. This track explores the dynamic intersections of innovation, including artificial intelligence as a tool. Speakers from across Texas explore the challenges and solutions in the ever-changing arts landscape.
To cap off these important conversations, Arts Fort Worth welcomes keynote speaker Randy Cohen, Vice President of Research at Americans for the Arts, where he has been empowering arts advocates since 1991. Cohen has pioneered rigorous research methods that establish the significant economic impact of the arts and provide accessible and actionable results for advocates.
The Arts Forward summit will also offer networking opportunities, an interactive community art activity, and provide attendees with valuable tools to navigate the arts ecosystem.
IN conjunction with the summit, the Heart of Gold reception honors leaders who have dedicated themselves to strengthening the arts community through their creative work and will take place Friday, March 28 at Texas Wesleyan University.
These events are special opportunities to network, celebrate, and reflect on the incredible work happening in the arts. Registration for the Arts Forward Summit and the Heart of Gold Reception are now open. For more information, visit artsfortworth.org/summit.
