About

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What: “Art, Access & Action” A Columbia College Chicago Arts & Media Summit

When: Thursday & Friday, April 8th & 9th, 2010 (10 am-9 pm both days)

Where: 1104 S. Wabash, Columbia College Chicago Film Building, Downtown Chicago

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Welcome.

This year a bunch of groups, organizations, and individuals will be coming together to host a major arts & media summit in Chicago. The Summit will be held at Columbia College Chicago and happen on April 8th and 9th from 10 am to 9 pm on both days.

Here is a list of organizations and individuals involved:

PEOPLE

Jeff Biggers, author of “Reckoning at Eagle Creek”

Malkia Cyril, Exec. Dir. of Center for Media Justice

Andrew Huff, Gapers Block

Patrick Lichty, member of the Yes Men/Columbia College instructor

Salim Muwakkil, In These Times senior editor & WVON personality

Greg Palast, investigative journalist & author of “Armed Madhouse”

Gordon Quinn, Kartemquin Films

Tracy Van Slyke, Media Consortium

Jeff Spitz, Groundswell Films

Paul Street, frequent contributor to ZMag

ORGANIZATIONS

Free Press

Center for Social Media

Community Media Workshop

Beyondmedia Education

Kartemquin Films

Haymarket Books

Joint Meeting

ON ART, ACCESS & ACTION

As traditional top-down corporate media, which has defined publics for decades, becomes supplanted by new media technologies, “digital natives” or rather, individuals who do everything through computers and interactive mobile and gaming devices (which in some way or another connect to the Internet) are embracing the shifts in media.

Young generations are more accustomed to media habits that are radically different than the media habits of previous generations. Consequently, new business models for media are emerging and fundamentally redefining how arts and media are created, distributed, and experienced.

Personal expression and entertainment is serving publics and communities by grabbing attention and creating conditions for understanding public affairs so citizens can recognize, articulate, and act upon political and social issues. Moreover, art and media is encouraging participation in all aspects of creation and distribution.

The incorporation of participation in art and media creation and distribution not only is changing consumer culture and how artists and media makers earn profit but it is also creating public spaces and tools for members of the public to carry on informed conversation about issues of public significance.

Participation is enriching communities and American democracy by giving more and more Americans an opportunity to decide what to do about the most pressing issues of the day.

This rise of participation in media and possibilities being created by advancements in digital technology is empowering the next generation of media makers and influencers with a responsibility to consider what they can do for communities or publics in America and how art and media they create can empower communities and publics throughout America.

While this Summit is taking place at Columbia College Chicago, a major arts & communication college, each and every American is an artist or media maker. We all are writing notes and blogs on current events, turning our Twitter pages into newswires, sharing stories through Facebook, or posting our own YouTube videos from cameras or our cell phones for a wide audience to view.

This Summit will explore the rise of new media, how best to utilize old media as the media landscape continues to change, and the role of artists and media makers in society.

If you find you would like to get involved or get more information on this great event, please contact the co-chair of the Summit, Kevin Gosztola:

kevin.gosztola@loop.colum.edu