GPCC Emphasizes Continued Commitment to Arts and Business Council
The Arts and Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, a program of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce (GPCC), announced the departure of its longtime President and CEO Karen Davis and the appointment of Chamber executive Karin Copeland to assume responsibility for leading the Arts & Business Council.
Over 30 years ago, the idea of collaboration between the arts and business segments of the community was proposed to the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. From that idea, the Chamber authorized the creation of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia. Since that time, the Council has operated as a program of the Chamber’s Regional Foundation under the astute direction of Karen Davis. Under Karen’s leadership and the extraordinary support of its Advisory Board members, the Council’s programs have engaged thousands of individuals in the business community and provided invaluable services to strengthen the arts.
Stephen T. Zarrilli, Chair of the Arts and Business Council Advisory Board and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Safeguard Scientifics, applauded Karen Davis’ commitment to the Greater Philadelphia arts community. “The growth of the business community’s commitment to the arts in Greater Philadelphia is due in large part to the superb leadership of Karen Davis. We thank Karen for her many years of service on behalf of the arts community in the region.”
“Karen Davis helped drive the cultural vitality of the region by truly strengthening the partnership between business and the arts. We look forward to the continuing support of the business community as we work together to further strengthen the programs of the Arts and Business Council,” said Advisory Board member Gail Harrity, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Working with a sub-committee of the Advisory Board of the Arts & Business Council, the Chamber leadership considered various options for the Council’s future operations. The Chamber asked executive Karin Copland to assume responsibility for leading the Arts & Business Council.
Ms. Copeland, a graduate of the University of the Arts, has both an arts and business background, with over 25 years of experience at cultivating and sustaining successful business relationships with a wide variety of companies and cultural organizations.
“A persuasive and effective communicator, Karin has worked with many of the Chamber’s largest investors and demonstrated her ability to identify needs and propose solutions. With these exceptional skills, Karin is well positioned to assist the Chamber in reconstituting the programs and advisory council of the Arts & Business Council in order to maintain the important bond between the arts and business communities fashioned by this organization decades ago,” said GPCC President and CEO Rob Wonderling.
“The programs of the Council contribute to the economic prosperity and cultural vitality of Greater Philadelphia by promoting civic engagement among business professionals and helping arts professionals and their boards manage the business and legal issues of the arts. We look forward to introducing many Chamber members that have never before participated in the Arts & Business Council’s programming to the significant benefits that can be derived by having closer ties to the vibrant arts and culture community in our region,” added Mr. Wonderling.
