What significant role can the arts play in engaging and improving entire communities? On Tuesday, June 17, on Arts Education Day in Cleveland, Cleveland State University will invite the public to examine the invigorating and transforming power of the arts, featuring special guests Anna Deavere Smith, acclaimed actress and MacArthur fellow, and Harriet Fulbright, president of the J. William & Harriet Fulbright Center in Washington, D.C.

“Our theme is ‘Let Your Voice be Heard,’ and this event is a wonderful opportunity to network with and hear the views of more than 200 experts and advocates for the arts in education,” said Kay Shames, director of Cleveland State’s Center for Arts and Innovation.

The two-part event includes:

1) The 2008 Creative Voices Arts Education Summit, titled “Engaging the World: the Role of the Artist in Society,” from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Honorary co-chairs are CSU president Michael Schwartz and Dr. Eugene Sanders, CEO, Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

The Summit will feature artist in residence Anna Deavere Smith, the noted author, actress, playwright, MacArthur Fellow and New York University professor. Following her performance, she and Timothy Rub, director of the Cleveland Museum of Art, will engage participants in a community conversation, moderated by Michael Heaton, “Minister of Culture” for The Plain Dealer.

2) The popular Arts Education Day Luncheon will follow the Summit from 12-2 p.m. and will feature keynote speaker Harriet Fulbright, wife of the late Senator J. William Fulbright, who is best known for the Fulbright Program, a prestigious scholarship and grants program that sends college students and senior scholars abroad. Harriet Fulbright is an international expert on creative leadership and has traveled the world in support of programs for peaceful conflict resolution, cross-cultural understanding, the arts and education.

Mayor Frank Jackson will proclaim the day as Arts Education Day in Cleveland; in addition, participants from Playhouse Square’s 2008 Poetry Slam will perform, and The Cleveland Orchestra will demonstrate its “Learning Through Music” program.

In addition, Harriet Fulbright will meet with more than 20 of Cleveland State’s 54 Fulbright Scholars at a private reception on June 16. Cleveland State is one the most active Fulbright institutions in the country, sending as many faculty overseas as many of the top universities in the U.S.

Admission to the Summit is complimentary and includes continental breakfast. The Luncheon cost is $20, payable in advance or at the door. Both events are at the Bert L. and Iris S. Wolstein Center, 2000 Prospect Ave.

The Summit and Luncheon are presented by members of the Arts Education Consortium, which includes The Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Play House, Young Audiences of Northeastern Ohio, OperaCleveland, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Playhouse Square Center, Tri-C Jazzfest Cleveland, the International House of Blues Foundation and Cleveland State University.

To RSVP for one or both events, please visit www.csuohio.edu/class/cai/ or call 216.687.5018 or 216.687.5022.

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