2026 IDA + CDA Place Matters: Securing Downtown’s Creative Future Panel

How can cities preserve the creative energy that makes downtowns thrive?

Date: March 11, 2026

Time: 3:45 PM to 5 PM

Join us at 2026 IDA + CDA Place Matters (opens in new tab) for a panel exploring Creative Land Trusts, a powerful tool to preserve affordable cultural spaces, stabilize creative communities, and anchor long-term economic growth. Hear from experts who are pioneering innovative models, share lessons learned, and uncover actionable strategies cities can replicate to safeguard their creative future.

The panel will be moderated by Abra Allan, Founder & CEO of BIG Creative Consulting (opens in new tab). Speakers include Carolyn Choy, our Managing Director of Real Estate, Liz O’Malley, Director of Arts Strategy & Ventures at the Kenneth Rainin Foundation (opens in new tab), and Julie Phelps, Artistic & Executive Director Emeritus of CounterPulse (opens in new tab).