
CREATIVE PLACEMAKING SUMMIT
South & Appalachia
March 5-8, 2024 — Atlanta, GA
A Celebration and Convening for Placemaking in the Southern Region
South Arts and Creative Placemaking Communities (CPC) will present the
2024 South and Appalachian Creative Placemaking Summit
to take place in Atlanta, GA, March 5-8, 2024.
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“CPC is thrilled to co-present the Summit again with South Arts,” adds Ann Dickson, CEO of Creative Placemaking Communities. “We promise an incredible experience for attendees, and we are excited to showcase the wonderful city of Atlanta, as well as the great creative placemaking work being accomplished throughout the Southern and Appalachian Region.”
Over 400 people attended the Summit in November 2022, and included visual and performing artists, planners, urban designers, architects, arts administrators and community and economic development professionals. There will be several opportunities for attendees to connect with each other throughout the Summit through social events and other networking opportunities, with the goal of creating lasting connections and collaborations between professional disciplines.
The Summit’s growing list of funding partners currently includes the Educational Foundation of America and the Levitt Foundation. To become a sponsor for the Summit, contact Ann Dickson at ann@cpcommunities.org.
About the Summit
The 2024 South and Appalachia Creative Placemaking Summit will convene over 500 people from the Southeast and Appalachian regions to learn the latest innovations in the field of creative placemaking.
“We are so excited to continue our partnership with Creative Placemaking Communities,” said Susie Surkamer, President and CEO of South Arts. “With this upcoming Summit being in South Arts’ backyard here in Atlanta, there is so much content and creativity that we are looking forward to sharing with attendees.”
With over 50 sessions, experiences, tours and performances throughout the three-day Summit, attendees will come away with innovative and effective approaches to placemaking, with an emphasis on arts and culture ecosystems. Both urban and rural projects throughout the Southeast will be represented through peer-to-peer panel discussions and workshops.
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Atlanta Host Committee Supports Summit
A Host Committee comprised of Atlanta leadership will collaborate with South Arts and CPC on showcasing Atlanta through tours of current placemaking projects and special creative activations throughout the city.
“The Atlanta metro region is brimming with arts, history, and cultural communities that enrich our daily lives.,” says Laura Moody, Founding Partner of Atlanta-based company Purpose Possible and Host Committee Chair. “On behalf of the Host Committee, I'm so proud to invite you to experience our city's vibrant creative placemaking efforts. Join us as we learn from one another and celebrate the exceptional place that is the South and Appalachian region.”
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Confirmed Host Committee members include:
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Chair: Laura Moody, Founding Partner, Purpose Possible
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Allison Stewart-Harris, Senior Associate Planner, TSW Design
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Amir R. Farokhi, Atlanta City Council Representative District 2
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Angela Threadgill, Planning and Economic Development Director, City of Decatur
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Ariel Fristoe, Founder and Artistic Director, Out of Hand Theater
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Dorian McDuffie, City of Atlanta, Atlanta City Studio Public Art Manager
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Kara Keene Cooper, Director of Economic Development, Atlanta Beltline, Inc.
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Lindsey Flax, Community Engagement Manager, Full Radius Dance
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Neda Abghari, Arts Consultant and Founder of the Creatives Project
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Roshani Thakore, Head of Community Engagement and Arts, Atlanta Regional Commission
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​Sadie Krawczyk, Managing Director, GeorgiaForward & Placemaking, Georgia Municipal Association
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Tina Lilly, Executive Director, Georgia Council for the Arts
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Tyrone Webb, Rural and Community Program Manager, Georgia Council for the Arts
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Shantras Lakes, Contracts for Services Program Manager, Fulton County Arts & Culture
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How to Register
Early bird registration will begin on October 15, 2023 and will be available at cpcommunities.org.
Scholarships Available
“Limited scholarships will be available for those with a demonstrated financial need,” says Jessyca Holland, Director, Organization & Community Initiatives for South Arts. “Applications will be available this Fall, and we encourage you to sign up for South Arts email announcements to receive the latest updates.”

Earlybird Registration Opens October 15th