Wondering how the arts and creative thinking can play a role in civic participation and visioning at the city, regional, and national levels? Hear from artists, advocates, and activists about the real impact we can make at the ballot box and beyond. The evening will include performances by Anita Jackson and Pacia Anderson, a panel discussion with advocacy experts, and a comment and creative response wall for attendees to share their voice. A reception will follow with complimentary food and beverages to provide a space to continue sharing, in community, how we can work together as artists, creatives, and culture lovers to create a better city and better region.
Schedule
Please note the Mayoral Candidate Forum is from 4:00 – 5:15 pm.
- 5:45 pm: Music by Anita Jackson
- 6:00 pm: Welcome address
- 6:15 pm: Spoken Word by Pacia Anderson. Panel discussion with Kelly McGowan, Kyna Iman, and Randy Cohen; facilitated by Kathryn Bentley
- 7:30 pm: Reception
Registration is encouraged; please click here to sign up.
Accessibility notes
To request an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter for this event, please contact programs@camstl.org with as much prior notice possible to ensure availability.
About the contributors
Anita Jackson is a graduate of the American Music and Dramatic Academy in New York and has performed extensively nationally and internationally in theater productions, concerts and workshops. She has recorded and performed as a background vocalist on Grammy Award winning songs and albums for artists such as Bette Midler, Whitney Houston and Cissy Houston.
Pacia Anderson is a visual, spoken, and teaching word artist who uses language in its many expressed forms to tell vivid stories, record and share history, and as a vehicle for both introspection and communal connection. She has worked with several dozen youth, arts, nonprofit, and community organizations across the region and the country.
Kelly McGowan is Founder and Executive Director of Transform 314. She is a proud St. Louisan and health equity advocate, armed with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Saint Louis University and a Master of Public Health from Washington University in St. Louis. Through Transform 314, Kelly is working to amplify community in local decision-making processes to ensure all St. Louis neighborhoods are designed for their inhabitants to thrive.
Kyna Iman is a Missouri lobbyist, who since 1993, has run her own one-person lobbying firm, Kyna Iman LLC. Unlike some of her colleagues at the Capitol, she did not study political science or law; she was an English and Communications Major, who minored in dance. She represents a wide variety of issues related to arts, education, and health.
Kathryn Bentley is Associate Professor of Theater Performance at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Artistic Director of Southern Illinois University’s Black Theatre Workshop. A theater professional with extensive experience as an actor, director, and teaching artist, she holds an MFA in Theater Directing and professional training in community arts and social justice. She has committed to utilizing her artistry as a way to challenge, inspire, and build community through shared experiences.
Randy Cohen is Vice President of Research at Americans for the Arts—the national advocacy organization for the arts—where he has been empowering arts advocates since 1991. He recently published Arts & Economic Prosperity 6: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts & Culture Organizations and Audiences and Americans Speak Out About the Arts in 2023, a national public opinion study about the arts. He is the 2024 recipient of the Sidney Yates Advocacy Award for outstanding advocacy on behalf of the performing arts in America.
