Crain’s New York and the Columbia University School of the Arts are presenting a half-day conference on Wednesday examining “the future of the arts in New York City.”

Specifically, the conference is about the economic downturn and how the City’s arts organizations are dealing with the decrease in attendance, in fundraising, etc.

How are we dealing with these issues in the short-term?

More importantly, how are we dealing with them for the long-term?

The economic downturn has been a cataclysmic event.  Cataclysmic events leave permanent marks on industries.

What marks has this one left on us?

That’s what we’re going to try and find out tomorrow.

I was honored to be asked to speak on a panel at the conference tomorrow, along with some terrific co-panelists including Nina Lannan (Chairman of the Broadway League), Todd Haimes (Artistic Director of the Roundabout Theatre), and Scott Morfee (who owns and runs the Barrow Street Theatre, where the terrific production of Our Town is still running); moderated by Steven Chaikelson (an Associate Professor and Director at Columbia).

There are some other great sessions as well, especially for those working in the non-profit sectors.

If you want to go, check out the details here.

And if you do go, please make sure you say hello afterwards!