Northeastern University Professor Rebekah Moore, Music Department, was a featured speaker at swissnex Boston’s recent event, Cross-pollination between the Arts, Academica, and the Market. Hosted in conjunction with the FHNW Academy of Art and Design Basel, the goal of the event was to spark dialogue between Boston-area universities and art schools and the HGK FHNW Basel, exploring how these entities can support and foster the intersection of teaching, research, and incubator models. Professor Moore spoke on a panel – moderated by Alexandra Müller-Crepon, swissnex Boston – alongside Jana Eske, HGK FHNW; Shannon Rose McAuliffe, MIT; and Andrew Shea, The New School. Also in attendance at the event was Northeastern graduate student Sonja Denda, Master of Science in Creative Practice Leadership, and CAMD faculty members Michael Arnold Mages, Art + Design, and Melissa Ferrick, Department of Music.

Professor Moore’s comments highlighted the importance of advocating for the value of art as critical to human survival, and facilitating the diverse kinds of artistic experience that support our collective resilience. Professor Moore referred to the idea of the arts as a form of cultural commons, referring not to a set of shared resources, but rather, to the shared and growing capacity for human thriving that is fueled by critical creative practice. This is a concept she is exploring with colleagues as a 2019-2020 Dean’s Research Fellow. Some of the questions driving the explorations are: What are the implications for research, teaching, and the nature and subject matter of our respective disciplines, if we envision creative practice as ethical responsibility? How are we valuing the arts beyond their monetization? How can we improve on the efficacy of arts advocacy? Among many others.

Questioning and inquiry were at the center of the Cross-pollination between the Arts, Academica, and the Market event. The day-long program challenged teachers, researchers, and entrepreneurs to consider key questions, such as: What conditions do we want to foster at art schools and universities to promote sustainable entrepreneurial endeavors? How do current social and ecological challenges affect such programs? And what should we expect from the incubators of tomorrow?