San Diego, CA (PressExposure) May 07, 2010 -- ART SAN DIEGO Contemporary Art Fair 2010, presented by UBS Financial Services, is pleased to announce a one-day conference focused on determining how the most transformative arts and culture initiatives nationwide can be implemented in San Diego. The program, “Art in the City: Utilizing Art and Culture as Transformative Tools”, will be moderated by David Malmuth, a noted arts and entertainment developer responsible for the rebirth of the New Amsterdam Theater in NYC and the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.

The Art in the City Conference is intended to inspire a vibrant dialogue – and ensuing action – about the opportunity for arts and culture to make beautiful and meaningful places, provide a significant economic stimulus, and enrich our civic life. The design concept is straightforward: invite the finest thinkers/doers in the arts nationwide to share their experiences with implementing innovative cultural programs. As examples: Bob Wislow, CEO of US Equities, will lead off and discuss the challenges of bringing world-class art to Millennium Park and the impact that it has had on Chicago’s economy followed by Craig Robins, President of Dacra Development, who will share his approach to utilizing art and design as key components of Miami’s Design District. The luncheon keynote speaker will be Bob Lynch, CEO of Americans for the Arts, who will discuss the compelling evidence for arts investment as an economic driver.

Each presenter will be paired with one or two local San Diego leaders who are involved with guiding similar initiatives. For example, Mary Beebe who curates the Stuart Collection at UCSD – the most outstanding public art collection in the region -- will be a respondent on Wislow’s panel. The respondents will discuss how the techniques and insights from these successful projects may have application in San Diego. The moderator’s role will be to surface what techniques have proven effective in gaining public and private funding, political and community support, and ultimately leading to great projects.

This program was designed with implementation foremost in our minds”, stated Malmuth. The participants will be encouraged to interact with each other, and the presenters, leading up to the conference so that key issues and concerns are flagged for discussion. Also, the web page for the conference will contain summaries of prior visioning session in San Diego so that Art in the City can build on what has already been learned. The program will be videotaped and segments will be on the web, and all attendees will receive a summary of conference highlights including action steps. Finally, a group of local leaders have agreed to act as an implementation task force and “champion” the best ideas from the symposium.

The final session of the conference will apply all of the key insights from the presentations to the most strategic real estate in San Diego – the downtown waterfront. “The recent defeat of the Phase 1 NEVP can be regarded as further evidence of our inability to move forward on major initiatives, or as an opportunity to step forward with brilliant new solutions which captures the imagination of the public and demand action,” stated Malmuth. “We have assembled an exceptionally talented creative team, including Stan Eckstut, FAIA, acknowledged as one of the world’s leading waterfront designers and Rob Quigley, FAIA, San Diego’s preeminent architect. We asked them to envision a San Diego “front-porch” -- including The North Embarcadero, the Navy Broadway Complex. The Navy Pier, and the G Street Mole -- that is beautifully designed, thoughtfully programmed, and alive with the dynamic interweaving of arts and cultural elements. Our downtown waterfront should become the treasured destination of the entire region, a place for San Diegans first. Our final session will provide a forum for the presentation and discussion of ideas that support this overarching goal.”

The conference will take place at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel on Saturday, Sept. 4th from 8am – 5pm. The price to attend is $150.00, which includes all sessions, networking breakfast, lunch with key-note speaker, post-conference cocktail reception, and entry to the fair on Saturday which includes the Young Collector Night & Wine 2.0 party on Saturday evening. Discounted tickets are available for non-profits and students. Early bird rates apply if booked before June 30th.

Art San Diego International Contemporary Art Fair will take place September 2-5, 2010, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel. Designed with world-class sophistication, the Hilton rises 30-stories at the edge of the San Diego Bay and in the heart of downtown San Diego. More than 50 galleries will showcase paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, videos, and cutting-edge multimedia artworks. The Fair includes a VIP Opening Night, distinguished guest speakers, luxury brand displays, city-wide cultural programs, and exclusive wine and food events. New this year is an exclusive VIP Collector Club lounge within the fair that will be hosted by UBS Financial Services.

UBS UBS AG is a leading global financial services firm serving a diverse client base that includes affluent individuals, corporations, institutions and governments.

BTB-ART, INC BTB-Art, Inc is a strategic business-consulting firm comprised of leading professionals in the areas of art, marketing, and event production. The Company is dedicated to establishing San Diego as a leading contemporary art fair destination on the West Coast with its signature event, ART SAN DIEGO Contemporary Art Fair.

Contact / Web Address E-mail: aberchtold@artsandiego-fair.com / Ann Berchtold, Founder and Executive Director Website: http://artsandiego-fair.com

Conference Registration and agenda and list of conference speakers: http://www.artsandiego-fair.com/conferences/artinthecity.html

Go to http://www.artsandiego-fair.com/visitors.html for more info and to purchase tickets.

Press Contact: Jennifer von Stauffenberg Olive PR Solutions 1501 India St. #103, PMB #7 San Diego, CA 92101 619-955-5285 jennifer@oliveprsolutions.com http://www.oliveprsolutions.com http://www.artsandiego-fair.com

About Olive PR Solutions

The Art in the City Conference is intended to inspire a vibrant dialogue – and ensuing action – about the opportunity for arts and culture to make beautiful and meaningful places, provide a significant economic stimulus, and enrich our civic life.

Press Release Source: http://PressExposure.com/PR/Olive_PR_Solutions.html