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

2025 Event Schedule
Keynote Speaker
Michael J. Bobbitt
Executive Director, Massachusetts Cultural Council
Michael J. Bobbitt opens the Lehigh Valley Arts + Culture convening with an inspiring keynote on the arts as a catalyst for healing, unity, and civic transformation. Bobbitt frames the arts not as a luxury, but as essential infrastructure for quality of life, redevelopment, and community connection. His remarks will set the stage for a day of bold visioning, followed by a fireside chat exploring how cultural planning can drive lasting, inclusive change.
Lehigh Valley 250
Jessica Edris
Project Administrator, Lehigh Valley 250
The Lehigh Valley is set to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary through a wide range of immersive exhibitions, performances, and special events, reflecting the region’s rich historical connections to the American Revolution, industrialization, and cultural development. Project organizer Jessica Edris will share how this national anniversary is a turning point for regional organizations to build commemorative programs that cultivate sustainable and meaningful collaborations and drive cultural tourism to the region.
Regional Roundtable
Alex Michaels
President and CEO, Discover Lehigh Valley
Dr. Subham Kharel
Senior Data and Analytics Planner, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
Kyle Edwards
Artist, Founder & CEO, a true l.o.v.e story., llc | inkwell., llc | the market. by atls.
Breakout Sessions
⭔ The Power of Planning
Introduction to Regional Cultural Planning for government and business leaders, funders
⭔ Knowledge is Power
Professional development for independent artists
⭔ Fundraising is Power
Grant information for arts organizations
Featured Speakers

Michael J. Bobbitt
Michael J. Bobbitt is a distinguished theater artist. As the Executive Director of Mass Cultural Council, he is the highest-ranking public official in Massachusetts state government focused on arts and culture. Since 2021, he has led the Agency through several initiatives, including the development of its first Racial Equity Plan, d/Deaf & Disability Equity and Access Plan, and Native American & Indigenous Equity Plan; the launch of the nation’s first statewide Social Prescribing Initiative; the securing and distribution of $60.1 million in pandemic relief funding; and the design and implementation of a strategic plan for fiscal years 2024-2026. Recently, Bobbitt was listed as one of the Boston Business Journal’s Power 50 Movement Makers. He has been appointed by Governor Maura Healey to serve on both the Governor’s Advisory Council on Black Empowerment and the newly established Massachusetts Cultural Policy Development Advisory Council and recently received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa from Dean College. He is a proud alumnus of the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Jessica Edris
Mission-centered from a young age, Jessica Edris has a wealth of experience in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors as a strategic thinker who sees the forest and the trees and is driven to make good things better while helping others. As a graduate of Moravian University and a long-time resident of the Lehigh Valley, Jessica has focused on mission-based organizations over her career as senior leadership in development, marketing, communications, strategic planning, and operational vitality. She is the Founder of Good Collective, a partnership of experienced professionals that build capacity of mission-driven organizations so that they can do more. She is highly sought after for leading complex collaborations and among other projects, leads the collaboration Lehigh Valley 250, a celebration of culture, arts, and history, that brings together community partners to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. As a past recipient of the Emerging Leader Award from Moravian University, she has served her alma mater as Past President of the Moravian College Alumni Association and former member of the Alumni Board of Directors. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Notre Dame High School, the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit Business Council and Humanitarian Social Innovations.
Lehigh Valley Arts + Culture 2025 is presented by





Event Schedule
Arrival
8:30 - 9:00 AM
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