by PAM HARBAUGH

It’s a tough terrain out there for artists and arts organizations wanting to get to the mountaintop. The Brevard Cultural Alliance wants to help smooth out that path when they present their first ever Cultural Summit next Thursday.

The event’s keynote speaker is one of the country’s leaders in the arts and culture arena — Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of the Americans for the Arts.

Called the “Participate/Innovate: A Cultural Summit,” this is the first such event presented by the BCA. It is designed for artists and arts organizations to develop new strategies in their businesses. It runs from 8:30 a.m. to about 4 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place.

It will be the perfect place to speak with national leaders, such as Mr. Lynch, and to network with area arts providers and, hopefully, elected officials.

The day-long event includes plentiful workshops to help artists and arts groups get a leg up on cultural tourism, arts education, social media, funding and more. Speakers include those from the National Arts Marketing Project, the Arts Business Institute and Americans for the Arts, which is a major leader in the arts and somewhat the umbrella group for local arts agencies around the country.

Mr. Lynch will speak during the luncheon. Also presented at that time will be results of New Economic Impact Study for Brevard’s arts and culture sector.

The fees to attend are so very reasonable. They are $39 for BCA members and $49 for non-memrbers. Discounts available for organizations sending two or more people. $25 for luncheon only.

Call the BCA at 321.690.6817. To see all the workshops offered and to register online, click here.