Here’s How PEM Poured Mojo, Creativity, Community, and Civic Life Into a Legislative Summit

PEM’s vaulted atrium does more than add light to the Museum, it’s a metaphor of unlimited cultural expectations

Founded in 1799, the Peabody Essex Museum is one of the country’s oldest continuously operating museums in the United States. Distinguished by it’s place in history, PEM’s determined to build on it’s sterling legacy ~and it’s got MoJo!

Steeped tea, copious cups of rich coffee and creative energy poured into the Salem landmark’s atmosphere on April 14th.  Elected leaders speaking on the nexus of purpose and public policy connected the importance of the Museum’s DNA with it’s commitment to continue to be a resource for inspired civic life.

The power panel organized by Lynda Roscoe Hartigan, CEO of PEM, introduced an audience of cultural contributors to the officials who shared, in important ways, how the creativite community serves as essential compass points of society.

Lynda Rosco Hartigan,Chief Curator of the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA

The forum explained the Arts are portals of imagination, spark dialogues and build bridges. Senator Joan Lovely is an advocate of using the Arts for the educational betterment of all, not just the privileged few.

Former Mayor of Salem, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll explained communal expressions of art are also meaningful sources of economic engagement connecting communities across Massachusetts to environmental and fiscal realities.

Congressman Seth Moulton and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll

Congressman Seth Moulton’s contribution to the dialogue was a specific call to action. He suggests in times of political division we model 1st amendment rights to engage in civilized debates.  Rather than focus on polarizing diatribes he believes we need to tell inspirational stories that mirror the benefits of exposure to the Arts for the common-wealth.  Realizing the wealthiest in any culture will always have Art the Congressman sees Museums as a equal opportunity resource of enrichment and most importantly social connectivity. The multi-lingual dialogue of Art is a language of peace.

PEM’s Legislative breakfast of Creativity, Community and Civic Life focused on the purpose of our Cultural needs. Continuing the MoJo, the Massachusetts State House will host “Creative Sector Day”,Wednesday April 30th. That format will advocate and celebrate policies in support of artists, cultural organizations and businesses across the Commonwealth.

For more info on the MoJo : INFO@Mass-creative.org

L~R Senator Joan Lovely, Congressman Seth Moulton, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, PEM/COO Dr. Kurt T. Steinberg, Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo, PEM/CEO Lynda Rosco Hartigan, Creative Collective, John Andrews and Representative Manny Cruz