2021 Emerging Issues Symposium

"Women in the Arts: The Transformative Role of Art in Culture and The Economy"

On November 12, the eighth annual Women's Policy Forum Emerging Issues Symposium was held in collaboration with Amphibian Stage. Our keynote speaker, Philippa Hughes, spoke about her work building "social infrastructure" and creating a sense of community through design and art. Next, we heard from Heidi Marquez Smith, CEO of the Texas Cultural Trust, who detailed some of the findings in the State of the Arts Report   which shows the importance of art in our economy, education and health and wellbeing.
Two panel discussions followed, the first focused on "Amplifying Community Voices Through the Arts," featuring Fort Worth Opera's Afton Battle, Jane P. Avila, founder of The Art Station and Dr. Monica White Ndounou, Executive Director of The CRAFT Institute, and moderated by Jessica Fuentes.  Our final panel discussion, "Taking Action: Setting Goals, Building Partnerships,"  was led by Sharon Benge, founder of Fort Worth’s Shakespeare in the Park and former host of WRR’s Art Matters. The panel included Eureka Gilkey of Houston’s Project Row Houses and Fort Worth Near Southside’s Megan Henderson.

See more pictures from this year's event.