Creative Placemaking for California Cultural Districts
Join us for a free workshop led by Beth McMillan, Executive Director of Artown Reno. This workshop is part of phase one of creating a community arts plan, in which we explore our cultural identity and workshop key areas for focus for our state designated California Cultural Districts. We encourage our artists, arts leaders and members of our business and hospitality sectors.
In creative placemaking, partners from public, private, non-profit, and community sectors strategically shape the physical and social character of a neighborhood, town, city, or region around arts and cultural activities. Creative placemaking animates public and private spaces, rejuvenates structures and streetscapes, improves local business viability and public safety, and brings diverse people together to celebrate, inspire, and be inspired.
Learn about:
Marketing our California Cultural Districts
Growing relations between sectors
Public art policy and planning
Festival planning
Cultural Equity
... and more ...
Introduction to Beth McMillan, Executive Director of Artown Reno
Artown, noted by the National Endowment for the Arts as one of the most comprehensive festivals in the country, brings the arts to Reno each July for 31 days. Local residents and visitors of all ages experience the best and the latest in visual and performing arts as Artown hosts 500 events (many free), from over 100 presenters each July.
Beth Macmillan, Executive Director
Beth Macmillan joined Artown as Festival Manager in February 2001 and was promoted to Executive Director in November of 2003. Macmillan, formerly a professional dancer and actress, expanded into arts administration through various roles such as Production Company Manager, Public Relations Manager, Assistant Stage Manager, Founder and Owner/Director of a small, highly successful arts education business, Executive Director of a major dance organization and business owner and distributor. Macmillan thrives in a fast-paced work environment while managing a wide range of responsibilities. As Executive Director she has produced Artown events, created “out of the box” approaches and strategic partnerships to presentations, co-presentations and future Artown commissions. Currently, Beth has expanded her commitment to the arts with a recent two-year appointment as President of the Western Arts Alliance (WAA), a membership association of performing arts professionals throughout the western states and provinces. Beth was awarded Woman of Distinction and Woman of Achievement in 2009. Now widely recognized as a leader in the festival presenting model, she has made several presentations about Artown regionally and nationally including Arts Presenters, California Travel & Tourism Commission, Nevada Travel and Tourism, World Choir Games, and several regional service organizations. In 2016 Beth was presented a prestigious award from the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN) for exceptional leadership. Most recently, Macmillan was elected to serve of the Board of Directors for the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) and began her term in January 2018.