Mayor Joseph Riley of Charleston, SC to deliver lecture on arts and policy

I have heard Mayor Riley speak on urban design issues twice (although it was the same basic lecture, see Riley speech on urban design) and he is fabulous. I am told he is giving a speech different from his "standard" urban design speech, which frankly, is worth hearing more than once.

From Americans for the Arts:

WHAT: Americans for the Arts presents its 23rd Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy, featuring the Honorable Joseph P. Riley, Jr, mayor of Charleston, SC. This event is a leading national forum for arts policy, intended to stimulate discussion of policy and social issues affecting the arts and the importance of the arts and culture to our nation’s well-being.

WHO: Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. is widely considered one of the most visionary and highly effective governmental leaders in America. First elected mayor of Charleston, SC, in 1975, Mayor Riley is currently serving an unprecedented ninth term. A recipient this year of the prestigious National Medal of Arts by the White House, Mayor Riley has set the national standard for urban revitalization and been a model of civic support for the arts and culture. Under his leadership, Charleston has had a remarkable revitalization of its historic downtown business district, seen the creation and success of Spoleto Festival USA, and experienced unprecedented growth in Charleston’s size and population.

Mayor Riley is a leading national expert in the field of urban design and the creation of livable cities. In 1986, he founded, along with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Mayors’ Institute on City Design. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the Mayor’s Institute on City Design has brought more than 800 mayors from 600 cities together with architects, urban planners, and developers to help transform their communities through design and engagement of the arts and cultural activities.

Mayor Riley will speak on the future of the arts in community building and a new vision for America’s cities.

Senator Mark Begich (D-AK) will introduce Mayor Riley. And there will be a performance by Washington Performing Arts Society’s Men and Women of the Gospel Choir.

WHEN: Monday, April 12, 2010 at 6:30 pm

WHERE: John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Concert Hall
2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC

TICKETS: Tickets for the FREE event can be reserved online.