About the Summit
The Empire Arts Summit is the premier gathering of New York’s arts and cultural leaders, policymakers, and creative workers. With the theme The Power of Connection: Arts and Government Shaping New York’s Future, this year’s Summit will focus on statewide strategies for advocacy, collaboration, and innovation.
At-a-Glance Agenda
Tuesday, Oct 14
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM · Come-As-You-Are Welcome & Networking Cocktail Hour at the DoubleTree Schenectady
Wednesday, Oct 15
8:00–9:00 AM · Breakfast
9:00–9:45 AM · Opening Plenary & Welcome
10:00 AM–12:45 PM · Breakout Sessions
1:00–2:00 PM · Lunch & Keynote
2:15–4:45 PM · Breakout Sessions
6:00–8:00 PM · Networking Reception
Thursday, Oct 16
8:00–9:00 AM · Breakfast
9:00–11:15 AM · Breakout Sessions
11:30 AM–12:00 PM · Closing Plenary
Summit Tracks
Advancing Arts-Driven Change
- Creative economy plans & statewide policy
- Sustainable public funding models
- Public sector partnerships for community impact
Keynote Speakers
Erika Mallin
Executive Director, New York State Council on the Arts
Erika Mallin currently serves as the Executive Director of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), where she directs a $161.5 M annual grant budget, supporting over 3,000 artists and arts and cultural organizations across the State. Appointed by the Governor in 2024 as the state’s highest-ranking arts official, she has already achieved significant impact, including securing a 10% budget increase and launching innovative initiatives for artists and arts and cultural institutions.
Prior to NYSCA, Mallin led the Aspen Institute Arts Program and served as Executive Director of the Tony Award winning Signature Theatre Company.
Erin Harkey
Chief Executive Officer, Americans for the Arts
Erin Harkey has over 20+ years experience helping individuals and communities succeed through the arts. Erin was the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). Harkey served the City of Chicago as Projects Administrator, then Deputy Commissioner for Programming and First Deputy Commissioner. In her dual role as Senior Policy Advisor for Arts in Culture in the Mayor’s Office, she advised on cultural policy and arts strategy across all City departments and agencies. She previously managed public art programs at Los Angeles County Arts Commission and the Arts Council for Long Beach. Harkey holds two master’s degrees in Public Art Administration and Urban Planning from the University of Southern California (USC) and a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Howard University.
Presenters List
Dena Beard | Executive Director, Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
Sarah Calderon | US Cultural Policy Fellow, Stanford University
Marie Carone | Principal Architect, CPL Architects, Engineers, Planners
Joe Concra | CO+Founder O+ Festival., O+ Festival
Jill Delaney | President & CEO, Discover Albany
Mauricio Delfin | Co-Director, Culture and Arts Policy Institute
Melissa Dvozenja-Thomas | Executive Director, Arts Mid-Hudson
Peter Erwin | City Planner, City of Peekskill
Rafael Espinal | Executive Director, Freelancers Union
Teresa Fellion | Artistic Director, BodyStories: Teresa Fellion Dance
C Meranda Flachs-Surmanek | Co-Director, WhyWOW Studio
Todd Hulet | Executive Director, Orange County NY Arts Council
Lisa Barnard Kelley | Executive Director, Midtown Kingston Arts District
Alexander Korman | Executive Director, CNY Arts, Inc.
Jean Leonard | President, Proctors Collaborative
Steven T. Licardi, LCSW | Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Social Therapist, WhyWOW studio
Michael Mastroianni, PhD | Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education, New York State Education Department
Ellen McHale, Ph.D. | Executive Director, New York Folklore
Nathan McLaughlin | Executive Director, NAMI NYS
Taij Moteelall | Principal, Media Sutra
John Murphy | Director of Development, Munson
Rachel Neches | Data Researcher, Center for an Urban Future
Nada Odeh | Visual artist and curator, Arabesques
Lori Orestano-James | President, New York State Alliance for Arts Education
Kimberley Olsen | Executive Director, NYC Arts In Education Round Table
Katharine Pettit | , KPC - Keeping People Connected
Elizabeth Reiss | CEO, Arts Center of the Capital Region
Maria Isabella Rojas | Co-Founder/ Vice-President, The Company We Keep
Lucy Sexton | Executive Director, New Yorkers for Culture & Arts
Christopher Shiley | President, Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Gully Stanford | Advocacy Chair, New York State Alliance for Arts Education
Soraya Sussman | Co-Founder/ President/ CEO, The Company We Keep
Jen Swan-Kilpatrick | Executive Director, Co-President, Arts Services Inc. of WNY
David Szlasa | Principal, DS2 Design
Regent Roger Tilles | Member at Large, NYS Board of Regents
Lauren Wagner | Executive Director, Long Island Arts Alliance
Dawn Wweleski | Artist, Conflict Kitchen, emergentCNY, Noon at Night
Stella Yoon | Executive Director, CREATE Council on the Arts
Proctors Collaborative
Schenectady, NY 12305
DoubleTree by Hilton Schenectady Downtown
~10-minute walk to Proctors · On-site bar
Hampton Inn Schenectady Downtown
450 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305 ·
~5‑minute walk to Proctors · No bar on site
ArtsNYS Member Registration
- This is for all events (reception included) and meals from Wednesday, October 15 at 9:00 AM through Thursday, October 16 at 12:00 PM.
- ArtsNYS Members, check your email for a promo code to get the $50.00 discount.
General Registration
- This is for all events (reception included) and meals from Wednesday, October 15 at 9:00 AM through Thursday, October 16 at 12:00 PM.
- To join ArtsNYS as a member, please visit artsnys.org/membership
