The Art of Reinvention:
China, Ohio and the New Global Economy
Cleveland Museum of Art
January 4, 2012

For the first time in museum history, the Cleveland Museum of Art assembled distinguished business and government leaders in a symposium to discuss how Cleveland can learn and benefit from China's successful emergence as one of the world's leading economies in the 21st century; and how the expertise of the symposium's panelists can influence the development of an international business agenda for Northeast Ohio.

The symposium complemented the museum's most recent exhibition, Chinese Art in an Age of Revolution: Fu Baoshi (1904-1965).

Just as Gary Hanson, Executive Director of the Cleveland Orchestra, spoke of the direct business value of the Cleveland Orchestra's international efforts to the Cleveland community at an event in 2011, the Cleveland Museum of Art has shared and promoted this viewpoint for a long time. The Symposium was a concrete manifestation of this viewpoint.

A brief welcome from Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson was followed by Cleveland Museum of Art President and CEO David Franklin, PhD. Dr. Franklin spoke about the Museum's history with Chinese art and artists as he opened the Art of Reinvention: China, Ohio and the New Global Economy discussion.

Next, Anita Chung, Cleveland Museum of Art Curator or Chinese Art, spoke about the exhibition: Chinese Art in the Age of Revolution: Fu Baoshi. Fu Baoshi was a 20th century Chinese artist whose works were recently featured in an exhibition at the Museum.

The Opening Address was given by Ambassador James Keith, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State to China, National Security Council Director for China and Consul General, Hong Kong. Ambassador Keith spoke about Cleveland community's role in the discussion.

Ambassador Keith's long history in the region has given him some insights into how the relationship between the US and China has evolved.

Ambassador Keith also addressed the upcoming elections in the US and the power changes in China and how they might play out in 2012 and beyond.

3 policy issues that will be important for the US and China stood out for Ambassador Keith: North Korea, Iran and the South China Sea.

The Keynote Address was given by Alexander "Sandy" Cutler, Chairman & CEO, Eaton Corporation. He spoke about the economic evolution of China and the relationship with the US.

Mr Cutler gave his impressions about the current and long term prospects for the economy of China.

He targeted 5 areas whereby NE Ohio can benefit from China's growth and example.

1. Education.
2. Attracting Capital
3. Export Market
4. City Planning
5. Tourism

The Panel was moderated by Brad Whitehead, President, Fund for Our Economic Future and included:

• R. Steven Kestner, Executive Partner, Baker Hostetler LLP and Chairman of museum Board of Trustees
• Joyce Barnathan, President, International Center for Journalists
• The Honorable Don Plusquellic, Mayor, City of Akron
• Dennis Scholl, VP/Arts, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
• Barbara Snyder, President, Case Western Reserve University

Mayor Plusquellic said we did not lose our jobs to the Chinese; we lost them to southern cities.

Dennis Scholl told how the arts bring people together and bridge diversity issues. So China and the US need to build cultural relationships not just pure business.

One of the main issues that will need to be resolved has to do with legal and intellectual property concerns. Scholl said, "This is a country that built an Apple store and Apple had nothing to do with it."

Congratulations to the Cleveland Museum of Art for leveraging their world class art exhibition to bring concrete ideas for the region's growth.

Enjoy these images from the event.

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, Barbara Snyder, President, Case Western Reserve University and Alexander "Sandy" Cutler, Chairman & CEO, Eaton Corporation

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Anita Chung, Cleveland Museum of Art Curator or Chinese Art and Deputy Director August Napoli

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Brad Whitehead, President, Fund for Our Economic Future, Joyce Barnathan, President, International Center for Journalists and Dennis Scholl, VP/Arts, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

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Consul General of The Netherlands Arnie De La Porte and R. Steven Kestner, Executive Partner, Baker Hostetler LLP and Chairman of Museum Board of Trustees

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Ambassador James Keith, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State to China, National Security Council Director for China and Consul General, Hong Kong and August Napoli