How can city leaders encourage young storytellers and creators to grow into the next generation of artists. Does an arts-centric location have a responsibility to use its leaders to lead?

That's just one of the questions Mike and Nancy posed to the two guests in this podcast.  We welcome Dr. Marci Mazzarato and assistant professor Kristin Wedlock of Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ. Their wide-ranging conversation covers film, digital and writing insights for the next generation as well as the duo's startup of the Bread and Roses Film Festival. Bread and Roses is the first woman-centric film festival and is taking place in October in Asbury Park. Take a listen.

Seven years ago, Carla Vanzant and her husband, Semaj, found that there were few options in the Monmouth County New Jersey area in Summer Camps suited for their small boys at the time. They decided to start their own camp, INSPIRE LIFE, which has grown into a multi-faceted enterprise of arts and academic programs for young people, especially Black and brown children.

At ArtsRule, we are on the hunt to uncover the best practices for cities looking to enhance their encouragement of the arts, We thought INSPRE LIFE has developed an evolving roadmap, to cultivate the next generation of artists and art appreciators, with their offerings of after school and summer programs at the New Jersey shore.

Mike and Nancy talk with Asbury Park artist and entrepreneur Dallas Hlatky. Listening to the interview, one senses the joy in creating and the way in which the city of Asbury Park has been a partner in her journey. The passions that drive artists extend to their environments, so a sense of place is a key to their creative process. Asbury Park's position as a magnet that draws makers to create is still alive, but for how long?  How will the arts-centric heritage of the city thrive as development continues?   Listen and find out.