An Evening for AEF Leaders: Reflections on Artists & Legacy

Celebrating AEFI’s first in-person event since 2019, over 60 AEF leaders gathered on September 7, 2023, at Independent 20th Century art fair in NYC. The evening’s special program featured a conversation with Derrick Adams, Artist & Founder, Charm City Cultural Conservation | CCCC, and Deana Haggag, Program Officer for Arts & Culture, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The two reflected on the topic of artists and legacy, in particular as exemplified by Derrick’s founding of CCCC and its lead programs, Last Resort Artist Retreat and Black Baltimore Digital Database, designed to strengthen the city’s artist community and build its cultural memory capacity.  

Spirits were very high among the audience’s members, which included AEF leaders as well as graduates of AEFI’s Seminar on Strategy for AEF leaders. Derrick and Deana’s lively, humorous, and insightful conversation was followed by a private networking cocktail reception held on the outdoor loggia of the fair’s stunning facility – the Battery Maritime Building/Cipriani South Steet.

View more event photos here. All Photography by Alexa Hoyer, courtesy of Independent 20th Century, 2023

The evening was made possible by AEFI Event Sponsors.

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