EUGENE, Ore. – (Feb. 24, 2012) – A Chicago-based expert on the intersection of community, arts and cultural-economic developmentwill speak on March 8 about opportunities to develop cultural infrastructure in Eugene.
In 2002, Connie Spreen co-founded the Experimental Station, an independent cultural incubator on the south side of Chicago that fosters innovative educational and cultural programs, small business enterprises and community initiatives, includinga farmers’ market, bicycle center, art exhibits and more.
The City of Eugene is in the process of developing a downtown cultural district spearheaded by the new Broadway Commerce Center building designed to provide creative loft spaces for both established and newly emerging businesses. Spreen’s lecture will serve as a catalyst for conversation around the work of Chicago’s Experimental Station and how its principles might be applied in Eugene.
The University of Oregon’s Arts and Administration Program and the Center for Community Arts and Cultural Policy are partnering with The City of Eugene’s Cultural Services Division to bring Spreen to Eugene for the free public lecture, which takes place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, at the Broadway Commerce Center, 44 W. Broadway in downtown Eugene.
In addition to the public lecture, as a visiting scholar, Spreen will work with UO arts and administration students both in and out of classes to discuss the topic further.
Spreen holds a doctorate in French literature and languages from the University of Chicago, where she taught from 1997-2008. In 2008, she created and assumed the position of executive director for Experimental Station.
From 2006-12, she built a variety of Experimental Station programs, including an active cultural events program; a community bike shop and youth education program; a 20-vendor market in a “food desert” region of Chicago; food stamp service at Chicago farmers markets; and incentive programs for low-income shoppers at farmers markets throughout Illinois.
The event is co-presented by the UO’s Center for Community Arts and Cultural Policy and the Arts and Administration Program, City of Eugene, Cultural Services, bell+funk, BEAM Developers, PIVOT Architects and CodeChops.
Contact:Marissa Laubscher, graduate research fellow, Center for Community Arts and Cultural Policy, University of Oregon, ccacpgtf@uoregon.edu, 541-346-2558.
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