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Storytelling for Civic Pride: There’s More Here
June 15, 2023 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The Western Illinois Museum is pleased to welcome Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Laura Sievert to Our Front Porch for her presentation titled, Storytelling for Civic Pride: There’s More Here on Thursday, June 15th at 7:00 pm. The one-hour presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session. Refreshments will be served. There is a suggested $5 donation at the door.
It’s no secret that our public art, museum, and history records are largely missing the stories of women, people of color, and marginalized communities. Laura explores the real logistics of how we change the way we tell our community stories and share them in public spaces. She believes that changing our collective storytelling isn’t just a moral imperative, but a sound investment for our Illinois economies. She will offer real-world examples, compelling economic data, and a framework that can apply as easily to local arts councils as it does to local industries. Laura will energize attendees to take a critical look at the stories we’re telling and how expanding the public narrative makes our communities more attractive and competitive. Our communities’ quality of life, the ability to attract talent and retain it, as well as our future economic vitality, depend on our ability to create new cultural conversations.
This program is funded in part by a grant from the Illinois Humanities, with funds from the State of Illinois American Rescue Plan Act.
The Western Illinois Museum is located at 201 S. Lafayette Street, one block south of Macomb’s Courthouse Square. For more information, call the Museum at 309.837.2750, text 309.837.2613, or email info@wimuseum.org. More details and updates can be found on the Museum’s social media channels.
About Laura Sievert
Laura Sievert, MPA, is the Executive Director of Arts Quincy: America’s First Arts Council. She was formerly the Director of Marketing for the largest Hallmark retailer in the country with locations in ten states. In addition to degrees from the University of Iowa and a Master’s in Public Affairs from Mizzou, Laura also has certificates in Leadership for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Northwestern and two other university certificates in nonprofit topics.
Known for both her engaging speaking style and thought-provoking topics, Laura has given two TEDx talks, was featured at the National Mainstreet Conference, is a 2x Leadership Illinois speaker, and regularly presents at industry events in both arts and marketing. She is the founder and director of TEDxQuincy and was recently recognized for exceptional community volunteerism both in Quincy and by the Illinois Senate.
About Illinois Humanities
Illinois Humanities, the Illinois affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, is a statewide nonprofit organization that activates the humanities through free public programs, grants, and educational opportunities that foster reflection, spark conversation, build community, and strengthen civic engagement. We provide free, high-quality humanities experiences throughout Illinois, particularly for communities of color, individuals living on low incomes, counties and towns in rural areas, small arts and cultural organizations, and communities highly impacted by mass incarceration. Founded in 1974, Illinois Humanities is supported by state, federal, and private funds. Stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn @ILHumanities.