Friday, August 20, 2010

Innovation Roundtable--Soul of the Community

I was honored by an invitation to attend an Innovation Roundtable hosted by Adam Knapp of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber.

The speaker was Katherine Loflin of the Knight/Gallup Soul of the Community project.


My take-aways? The CMDA has the cultural capital and intellectual assets to provide many of the "sticky" factors that bind people to their community. Our 700+ community of performing artists, scholars, researchers, creators, and educators presents over 500 plays, concerts and events to over 40,000 people in live audiences.

Dr. Loflin described characteristics of attachment to community--that translates into loyalty and passion. Those two latter characteristics seem to be linked to economic growth.

Exciting possibilities for Baton Rouge and southern Louisiana.

Thanks to Phelps Dunbar and Michael Hunt for sponsoring this important event.