Creative Placemaking Summit

A Celebration and Convening for Placemaking in the Southern Region

South Arts and Creative Placemaking Communities (CPC) will present the 2024 South and Appalachian Creative Placemaking Summit to take place in Atlanta, GA, March 5-8, 2024.​

“The utilization of the arts to explore solutions-based, community building is at the core of creative placemaking,” said Jessyca Holland, Director of Organization and Community Initiatives for South Arts. “Creative Placemaking connects people to the built and natural environment. The outcomes may be economic or social. In 2024, we will explore creative placemaking through the lens of sustainability, or the intersections of People, Planet, and Prosperity.”

Summit registration includes access to all sessions, workshops, performances, tours, and networking events.

Since the first Summit in 2018, the Creative Placemaking Summit has grown to be a pivotal event for those in the field of creative placemaking, serving as the platform for industry leaders, innovators, experts and peer-to-peer opportunities to share knowledge, insights, and best practices. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, the Summit has continually evolved to address the ever-changing landscape of creative placemaking by fostering a community of professionals dedicated to advancing the industry and ensuring its sustainable growth.

To register for the Summit visit this link. All major credit cards are accepted. Groups of 20 or more will receive a 20% discount off the Early-Bird registration price. To receive a group discount, contact summit@cpcommunities.org.

The Summit will kick off with a networking event on the evening of Tuesday, March 5, 2024. To receive updates on the Summit including the official venues, agenda, speakers and more, join the mailing list at cpcommunities.org or southarts.org.

About the Creative Placemaking Summit

The 2024 South and Appalachia Creative Placemaking Summit will convene over 500 people from the Southeast and Appalachian regions to learn the latest innovations in the field of creative placemaking. 

“We are so excited to continue our partnership with Creative Placemaking Communities,” said Susie Surkamer, President and CEO of South Arts. “With this upcoming Summit being in South Arts’ backyard here in Atlanta, there is so much content and creativity that we are looking forward to sharing with attendees.”

With over 50 sessions, experiences, tours and performances throughout the three-day Summit, attendees will come away with innovative and effective approaches to placemaking, with an emphasis on arts and culture ecosystems. Both urban and rural projects throughout the Southeast will be represented through peer-to-peer panel discussions and workshops.

“CPC is thrilled to co-present the Summit again with South Arts,” adds Ann Dickson, CEO of Creative Placemaking Communities. “We promise an incredible experience for attendees, and we are excited to showcase the wonderful city of Atlanta, as well as the great creative placemaking work being accomplished throughout the Southern and Appalachian Region.”

Over 400 people attended the Summit in November 2022, and included visual and performing artists, planners, urban designers, architects, arts administrators and community and economic development professionals. There will be several opportunities for attendees to connect with each other throughout the Summit through social events and other networking opportunities, with the goal of creating lasting connections and collaborations between professional disciplines.

The Summit’s growing list of funding partners currently includes the Educational Foundation of America and the Levitt Foundation.

Are you interested in becoming a sponsor for the 2024 Creative Placemaking Summit? Contact South Arts' development officer Dalyla McGee (dmcgee@southarts.org or 404.874.7244 x832) for details!

Atlanta Host Committee Supports Summit

A Host Committee comprised of Atlanta leadership will collaborate with South Arts and CPC on showcasing Atlanta through tours of current placemaking projects and special creative activations throughout the city.

“The Atlanta metro region is brimming with arts, history, and cultural communities that enrich our daily lives.,” says Laura Moody, Founding Partner of Atlanta-based company Purpose Possible and Host Committee Chair. “On behalf of the Host Committee, I'm so proud to invite you to experience our city's vibrant creative placemaking efforts. Join us as we learn from one another and celebrate the exceptional place that is the South and Appalachian region.”

Confirmed Host Committee members include:

• Allison Stewart-Harris, Senior Associate Planner, TSW Design 
• Amir R. Farokhi, Atlanta City Council Representative District 2 
• Angela Threadgill, Planning and Economic Development Director, City of Decatur 
• Dorian McDuffie, City of Atlanta, Atlanta City Studio Public Art Manager
• Kara Keene Cooper, Director of Economic Development, Atlanta Beltline, Inc.
• Neda Abghari, Arts Consultant and Founder of the Creatives Project
• Roshani Thakore, Head of Community Engagement and Arts, Atlanta Regional Commission
• Tina Lilly, Executive Director, Georgia Council for the Arts
• Tyrone Webb, Rural and Community Program Manager, Georgia Council for the Arts 
• Shantras Lakes, Contracts for Services Program Manager, Fulton County Arts & Culture
• City of Atlanta - Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs
• Dalyla McGee, Development Officer, South Arts
• Jessyca Holland, Director of Organization and Community Initiatives, South Arts
• Ann Dickson, Chief Executive Officer, Creative Placemaking Communities
• Lindsey Flax, Community Engagement Manager, Full Radius Dance
• Ariel Fristoe, Founder and Artistic Director, Out of Hand Theater
• Sadie Krawczyk, Managing Director, GeorgiaForward & Placemaking, Georgia Municipal Association
• April Stammel, SVP of Marketing and Community Engagement, Newport 
• Fredalyn Frasier, Project Director, Planning and Urban Design, Central Atlanta Progress
• Katherine Dirga, Director | Art in Transit, MARTA
• Alice Lovelace, Executive Director, ArtsXChange
• Laura Flueshe, Executive Director, Museum of Modern Design Atlanta (MODA)
• Daphne Bond-Godfrey, Executive Director, Urban Land Institute
• Jo Ann Haden-Miller, Director, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Marian Liou, Director of Arts and Culture, Smart Growth America