The Metro Phoenix Partnership for Arts and Culture (MPAC) announced the closure of its business office, effective March 31. In addition to the commitment to continue a grassroots effort to secure dedicated funding for arts and culture, MPAC officials are exploring options with other organizations to continue development and execution of existing programs, principally CALA (Celebración Artística de las Américas), which encourages cultural understanding between people of the Americas through the arts, and Metro Phoenix DNA, a communications platform to elevate the region’s cultural assets and identity.

“CALA and the Metro Phoenix DNA Initiative are both far along in development and we are talking with appropriate community organizations to continue these important efforts,” said Sandy Werthman, MPAC board chair. “We’ve made an investment in these programs that we feel have great potential to promote Metro Phoenix’s vibrant business, arts and cultural amenities.”

MeetMetroPhoenix.com is the first program to launch from the Metro Phoenix DNA initiative. It is a website designed to demystify common misconceptions and to provide practical insights for new, existing and prospective residents alike.

CALA uses the area’s existing arts and culture organizations and community venues to celebrate Latino culture. Scheduled to launch in late 2011, It will also provide tremendous educational opportunities on many levels for students and for the general public. CALA’s goal is to build bridges among the countries of the Americas and arts, cultural and educational entities in Metro Phoenix.

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Monday, March 8, 2010, 9 a.m. MST

Foundations plan to redirect grant funds to arts and culture organizations

PHOENIX—Confronted with difficult economic times, for itself and the arts and culture organizations it was formed to support, the Metro Phoenix Partnership for Arts and Culture (MPAC) board of directors has voted to cease the nonprofit organization’s staffing and programmatic operations. MPAC will support the plan of its major funders to use remaining grants funds to directly assist arts and culture organizations.

Meet Metro Phoenix – Changing the Conversation

New website connects people quickly with what they care about throughout Metro Phoenix

Metro Phoenix is a big place with many identities. Despite a wealth of resources and groundbreaking enterprise, outdated and erroneous perceptions of Phoenix in the global community persist.

It is also not always easy for newcomers to discover everything Metro Phoenix has to offer. That’s why the Metro Phoenix Partnership for Arts and Culture (MPAC) has created a website to demystify common misconceptions and to provide practical and enjoyable insights for new, existing and prospective residents alike.

From casual blogs to carefully curated resources, MeetMetroPhoenix.com™ addresses, explores and celebrates the genuine texture and quality of life in Metro Phoenix.

Metro Phoenix is in a global competition for talent in its quest to grow and diversify its employment base. But few outside of the region recognize the range of assets that make this a great place to do business. Meet Metro Phoenix is a tool for attracting and retaining employees, employers and creative professionals to Metro Phoenix.

Meet Metro Phoenix is the first program to be developed through the Metro Phoenix DNA initiative. The Metro Phoenix DNA Initiative is a unique leadership effort to address misperceptions and enhance the region’s authentic identity as a place of opportunity, open space thinking, vibrancy and entrepreneurship

MeetMetroPhoenix.com is an initiative of the Metro Phoenix Partnership for Arts and Culture (MPAC). MPAC’s mission is to promote a vibrant creative community as a critical partner in the economic vitality of Metro Phoenix. It conducts research that informs programs, products and initiatives to position Metro Phoenix for the 21^st century innovation economy.

WHY ¦ PHX ¦ NOW

Despite a wealth of resources and groundbreaking enterprise, outdated and erroneous perceptions of Phoenix in the global community persist. These perceptions impact our ability to attract top talent and industry in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Learn about the Metro Phoenix DNA™ Initiative, a unique leadership effort to address these misperceptions and enhance our authentic identity as a place of opportunity, open space thinking, vibrancy and entrepreneurship.

Join Carol Coletta, President and CEO of CEOs for Cities live from Chicago to talk about how cities can better position themselves to attract the innovative people and businesses driving the New Economy.

Get a first hand look at the unveiling of MeetMetroPhoenix.com™, a tool for recruiting and retaining the dynamic workforce Phoenix needs to succeed in the 21^st Century economy.

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