“If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.”

-Paulo Coelho de Souza

The National Consortium for Creative Placemaking announces it will sunset after operations begin to ramp down at the end of April. The past year has brought insurmountable challenges, and we find that current operations are no longer sustainable.

Since NCCP launched in 2012, our programming has informed, inspired, empowered or supported more than 8,000 people from 48 states and several countries outside the United States.  We have introduced many people to the field of creative placemaking.  Thanks to many of you, we have also contributed several innovative and thought-provoking programs.  They include the Certificate in Creative Placemaking, Creative Placemaking Leadership Summits, Community Coaching, Strategy Labs, the CreativePlace podcast, and Community Coffee Talks.

Our cross-sectoral work that connected professionals from the worlds of arts and culture, community and economic development, education and public affairs has led to new partnerships, projects, programs, and policies. We are honored to serve and are blessed to have made so many friends.

We remain so fully grateful to you for the support you have provided throughout our years. The ripple effects of your participation in these programs have been felt all over the US and will continue to reap benefits beyond what we can quantify.  Thank you for your commitment to valuing local communities, the arts, and the impact of creative teamwork at both macro and micro levels. We are so lucky to be in a world touched by your personal generosity and kindness.

Individual staff members invite you to stay connected. 

From Andrea Orlando, Community Director:

“It was a privilege to crisscross the country in 2018 and 2019 to meet so many creative community builders. The following year challenged us to continue our relationships through virtual events, and it was inspiring to watch so many of you lead through unprecedented hardship. Beginning to get to know you has been a treasured gift.

I’m exploring new roles and eagerly anticipate my next professional adventure. I’m also honored to announce that Metuchen’s (NJ) mayor recently appointed me to the Metuchen Human Relations Commission, and I get to give back to the place that always welcomed me home when I returned from travel. I invite you to stay connected either through email at andrea.orlando.530@gmail.com or through LinkedIn."

From Erica Henderson-Smith, Managing Director:

“I am extremely grateful for my time at NCCP. Not only has my knowledge of Creative Placemaking expanded and evolved, but I know the professional and personal relationships I have made here will continue to endure. I’m excited to relay that I will be embarking on a new adventure as the Managing Director for Civic Eye Collaborative based in Metuchen, NJ. I, along with CEC’s Founder and CEO, Ranjit Walia, are interested in helping move creative placemaking forward and hope for continued collaboration on any potential projects/partnerships that may present themselves in the future. Please feel free to reach out to me at my new email address, erica@civiceyecollaborative.com. I wish you all well and I know our paths will cross again.” 

From Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP, Founding Director:

“Thank you for joining us on NCCP's mission to help grow the creative placemaking field.  I hope you will join me in my new initiative, Creative Placemaking Communities.  Standing on the shoulders of our work with NCCP, Creative Placemaking Communities will activate networks of creative placemakers to fight systemic oppression and regrow cultural ecosystems so there are more opportunities for micro-entrepreneurs. We are also building an educational consortium to continue leadership conferences and an executive education certificate.  Learn more and join us at https://cpcommunities.learnworlds.com" 

Wishing you all the best in your creative placemaking endeavors.

Most Sincerely,

The Staff and Board of NCCP

Your support helps communities heal, recover and become more resilient.  Please donate to NCCP