Spotlight on Business & Arts NL's 2025-2026 Season Launch
Last Friday, September 19, Business & Arts NL members and stakeholders, along with members of the community, gathered at the John C. Perlin Arts & Culture Centre in St. John's to hear about the work that Business & Arts NL has been engaged in over the past year and learn about several exciting new initiatives.
Amy Henderson, Executive Director of Business & Arts NL, kicked things off by discussing the vital role that the arts plays in the identity and economic future of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the pillars of Business & Arts NL's work. This focuses on the 3 C's: capacity building (helping artists and arts organizations improve their business skills through workshops and training, connecting pro bono supports and hosting mentorships), building connections (helping partners in the public and private sectors hire artists for jobs big and small through our Brokering Services and other opportunities) and building community (hosting events that bring together creative people from across sectors to learn from each other and be inspired together, and share stories of creative partnerships across the province).
Business & Arts NL’s Executive Director, Amy Henderson, addresses the crowd at the organization’s 2025-2026 season launch on September 19.
Henderson also shared that Business & Arts NL hit a new milestone this month by reaching the $1.3M mark in commissions, gigs, residencies and other partnerships leveraged between the arts and business communities across the province.
Next up, Henderson shone a light on the launch of Business & Arts NL's year-long Narrative Marketing Initiative, designed to help artists and arts organizations better understand how to use storytelling as a tool to strengthen every area of their organization, from marketing and communications to governance and fundraising. The kickoff event takes place on October 9 at the Alt Hotel in St. John’s and features a keynote from Dave Sullivan, marketing specialist and writer, and a panel discussion with leading arts voices including Jenn Brown, Executive Director of the St. John's International Women's Film Festival; Ife Alaba, Director of Occupy All Spaces and multi-faceted creative.; and Christine Hennebury, storyteller, creativity coach and consultant. (Click here for ticket information for the Narrative Marketing Initiative's Kickoff Forum.)
Last but not least, Henderson eagerly shared details about Business & Arts NL's marquee event, the (Un)Common Threads Creativity & Innovation Summit, including the lineup for the 2025 event, taking place on November 4 at the Sheraton Hotel in St. John's.
This year's event will include featured artists Benjy Kean, who will create a fun and interactive arts-based experience for attendees, and Rebecca Feaver, who will share a collaborative artwork to which participants can contribute over the course of the day.
For this year's summit, we're also thrilled to have as our guest speakers renowned architect Todd Saunders, who will speak to how thoughtful design revitalizes communities and cultivates creativity in rural and urban spaces alike; visionary choral leader Kellie Walsh, who will discuss creative leadership, cultural resilience and how empowering young voices builds stronger futures; and celebrated broadcaster and musician Tom Power, who will share what years of creative conversation have taught him about curiosity, storytelling and authentic connection.
If last year's summit is any indication, this year's event will be one not too miss. Grab your tickets today!
(Click here to purchase tickets for the 2025 (Un)Common Threads Creativity & Innovation Summit.)