Lehigh Valley
Arts + Culture 2025

The Power of the Arts

Thursday May 29, 2025

Williams Center for the Arts
Lafayette College, Easton

Join us for the second annual convening Lehigh Valley Arts + Culture convening, where arts, business, government, education, and funding leaders unite for an engaging day of research insights, networking, and generative conversation. Together, we’ll lay the groundwork for a vibrant and sustainable arts and culture scene in the Lehigh Valley.

Planning for the 2025 Convening is currently underway. Keynote speakers, panelists, and break-out sessions will be announced soon.

For last year’s information, please download the 2024 Convening Program.

Lehigh Valley Arts + Culture 2025 is presented by

Event Schedule

Arrival

8:30 - 9:00 AM

Light Breakfast / Conversation / Ideation Boards

Music

Mike Lorenz, Guitarist/Composer/Educator

Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:00 - 9:15 AM

Speakers

Ingrid Furniss, Dean of Arts and Humanities, Lafayette College

David Mickenberg, Board President, Lehigh Valley Arts & Cultural Alliance

Salvatore J. Panto, Mayor, City of Easton PA

Session 1: Where We Are

9:15 - 9:55 AM

A presentation of the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 research study with a discussion of implications for the Lehigh Valley’s arts and culture sector.

Featured Speaker

Randy Cohen, Vice President of Research, Americans for the Arts

Session 2: What Is Possible

10:00 - 11:00 AM

A thought leader in the arts and culture sector provides examples of arts in action, and discusses the importance of the societal impacts of arts and culture in the community.

Keynote Speaker

Lesa Ukman, Founder, ProSocial Valuation Service

Session 3: Where We Want to Be

11:10 - 11:50 AM

A moderated discussion with panelists representing government, funders, and the arts community on topics, ideas, and next steps to where we see the arts heading over the next decade. This session features engagement from attendees and presentation of ideas and topics shared during the morning social.

Panelists

Berrisford Boothe, Artist-Curator-Author

Becky Bradley, Executive Director, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission

J. William Reynolds, Mayor, City of Bethlehem PA

Stephen P. Link, Director of Philanthropic Services, Cornerstone Advisors Asset Management

Moderators

Leela Breithaupt, Executive Director, The Bach Choir of Bethlehem

Jason King Jones, Artistic Director, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival

Closing Remarks

11:50 AM - 12:00 PM

Speaker

Sean King, Managing Director, Lehigh Valley Arts & Cultural Alliance