S2:E2 We Are Dallas Arts – Lily Cabatu Weiss in conversation with Stephanie Fortunato
Guest
Lily Cabatu Weiss
In conversation with
Stephanie Fortunato
Key Takeaways Contributor
Criena Gehrke
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. Lily shares how an ongoing dialogue between Dallas arts and cultural leaders enabled unprecedented resource-sharing, knowledge transfer, synergy, and increased support from all stakeholders – culminating with the We Are Dallas Arts initiative.
After, Stephanie is joined by fellow host Criena Gehrke to discuss key takeaways. Despite the challenges involved in sustaining collective action and vision, they acknowledge its power to produce impactful change.
Date of Recording
28 January 2022
Date of Publication
24 February 2022
[00:00:00]
[THEME MUSIC]
[00:00:06]
Stephanie Fortunato: Hello, and welcome to The Three Bells. This podcast is one of a series brought to you by AEA Consulting and The Binnacle Foundation for the Global Cultural Districts Network, in which we explore what's happening around the world on those busy and sometimes congested intersections of cultural and urban life. The podcast and supporting materials can be found at www.thethreebells.net. If you like our content, please subscribe and give us a positive review on your podcast listening platform of choice.
I'm Stephanie Fortunato from Providence, Rhode Island. Land stewarded first by the Narragansett, the people of the little point or people of the points and bays and the Wampanoag, the people of first light and the people of the east. I acknowledge the traditional owners and first nations people across all the lands and countries who are joining us today and pay our respects to elders past, present, and emerging. First nations people are our original storytellers, artists, and custodians of culture.
Today, I am so excited to be speaking with Lily Cabatu Weiss, Executive Director for the Dallas Arts District in Texas. Lily is an arts leader and educator with a background in dance who in recent years has led a movement to support, not just the artists and organisations in the districts, but really to bring a whole community together, to return to in-person cultural performances and the opportunity to be together.
After the conversation with Lily, I will be joined by the brilliant Criena Gehrke from The Three Bells production team for our key takeaways segments so we can talk about some actionable insights from today's conversation.
Hello, Lily! Welcome.
[00:01:47]
Lily Cabatu Weiss: Good morning, Stephanie, I'm so excited to have this conversation with you today.
…
External Links
Lily Weiss was at the Brooker T Washington High School for 36 years, first as a teacher and then as Artistic Director.
The Dallas Arts District is the largest contiguous urban arts district in the nation, spanning 118 acres. It aims to transform the Dallas Arts District into a dynamic destination for locals and tourists alike while creating a fulfilling urban experience.
Ordinance No. 17710, passed by the Dallas City Council on February 16, 1983 – setting the legal bases for the Dallas Arts District
The Dallas Museum of Art was the first institution to move into the district.
The Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center was the second institution to move in.
Trammell Crow Center is an iconic office tower located in the heart of the Dallas Arts District.
The Dallas Black Dance Theatre is a professional dance company that aims to bridge cultures, reach diverse communities and encompass ever-expanding national audiences.
The Klyde Warren Park serves as a central gathering space for Dallas and its visitors.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a natural history and science museum in Dallas.
Moody Performance Hall, is a City-managed, publicly-funded theater in the Dallas Arts District.
Fair Park is a National Historic Landmark that holds large collections of 1930s art and Art Deco architecture.
The Bishop Art Theatre Centre is an award-winning, multicultural, multidisciplinary arts institution in Dallas.
The Sammons Center for the Art, which supports and represents the smaller organisations during the “expanded CEOs” meetings, is a kind of “greenhouse” for small performing arts groups.
Surveys jointly organised and done by the Dallas Ars District, TACA - The Arts Community Alliance and Dallas Area Cultural Advocacy Coalition (DACAC), found that pandemic-related arts losses reached $95.5 million.
TACA - The Arts Community Alliance, is a nonprofit institution that supports the arts in Dallas County and North Texas through grant-making, capacity-building, and thought leadership
The Dallas Area Cultural Advocacy Coalition is a grassroots organization of members representing Dallas-area arts and cultural organizations
The We Are Dallas Arts Initiative is a collaboration between 29 Dallas Groups to urge audiences and patrons to return and again enjoy live, in-person cultural experiences
The Dallas Arts District Connect Master Plan guides the design and construction of new and replacement features in the Dallas Arts District. It lays out a vision for the future of the Arts District and its build environment.
The 360 Plan is a strategic document that sets a clear, cohesive vision for Downtown Dallas and its surrounding neighborhoods.
About Our Speakers
Lily Cabatu Weiss is the Executive Director for the Dallas Arts District and served as the Artistic Director for Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts and Chair of the Dance Department that is now a national model. She is known for her tireless work over the past four decades to further the arts and education in the community. +
Stephanie Fortunato is Director of Special Projects of the Global Cultural Districts Network. Her expertise sits at the intersection of cultural planning and urban development, collaborating with local communities on creating policies and partnerships to strengthen neighbourhoods and transform public spaces. +
Criena Gehrke is Chief Executive Officer of HOTA, Home of the Arts. She has a diverse and eclectic background in arts management and a particular passion for the role of arts and culture in building strong and connected communities. She has worked with all tiers of government on the development and implementation of cultural policy. +
