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2025 Arts and Culture Symposium
Symposium at a glance:
📅 September 18, 2025 | 6–9 PM | Guidrey Center, Dean College
Interactive Pop-Up Art Installations + Live Performances
📅 September 19, 2025 | 10 AM–2 PM | THE BLACKBOX
Featuring guest speakers, Allison Yee CEO & Founder of UpNext and Lindsey Jaworek of the Marlboro Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
Click here to register for your Creative Pass! (Register for one, or both program days!)
Marcie DiChiara - Chief Strategy Officer, Shopfreely.com + Social media maven for Franklin Downtown Partnership & Intermission
Cobi Frongillo - Deputy Director of Renewable & Alternative Energy; Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources + Franklin Town Councilor
Mel Hamblen - Holliston Economic Development Coordinator, Franklin Town Councilor
AJ Rebecchi - (Paired with Marcie, Breakout Room Moderator) - Creative Director + Brand Builder
Lindsey Jaworek - Keynote speaker! Marlboro Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
Allison Yee - Keynote speaker! CEO and Founder of UpNext
Franklin Arts & Culture Symposium—a dynamic, cross-sector event designed for artists, creative entrepreneurs, small business owners, municipal leaders, and anyone passionate about building vibrant, inclusive communities through the arts and the creative economy.
Note: Both events are free. September 18 focuses on networking reception/artist performances, while September 19 features keynote speakers and additional networking opportunities. Please register for one or both programs. Once registered, our volunteers will follow up regarding any food needs.
Our Keynote Speakers
Allison Yee – Founder & CEO of UpNext
Allison Yee is a visionary retail strategist known for spearheading pop-up programming that energizes communities and boosts brand visibility. With over 20 years of experience in retail and real estate development, she founded UpNext to guide entrepreneurs, municipalities, and developers in crafting innovative, place-based retail activations. Celebrated as a 'chief trailblazer, master collaborator, self proclaimed retail therapist, pun-lover," Yee has led hundreds of founders through immersive pop-up activations and designed dynamic retail projects that revive neighborhood storefronts
Her work emphasizes connecting emerging brands with communities, fostering meaningful experiences, and transforming temporary installations into lasting creative impact. Accessible and relatable, Allison often shares her retail insights under the moniker “Retail Therapist” across platforms like Instagram (@theallisonyee) and PoppingUpNext.com
Lindsey Jaworek – Of the Marlboro Economic Development Corporation
Fueled by a deep passion for the hospitality industry, Lindsey is committed to driving its growth while fostering meaningful connections with businesses and the local community.
MEDC is a public-private partnership operating as a sec. 501(c) nonprofit corporation, established by state legislation, Chapter 40 of the Acts of 2007. So, while we work closely with the Marlborough Mayor and City Council, we operate independently from them. "Our role is to work directly with site selectors, developers, investors, and businesses to help them enter, establish and expand in the city. We do this in order to facilitate and foster economic development, improve the quality of life for local residents and, ultimately, stabilize the residential tax rate by expanding the commercial tax base.
We’re funded through an annual transfer from the City of Marlborough’s economic development fund. The account is financed through a 2% local option hotel rooms tax, which was approved and implemented by the Marlborough City Council in 2010."
Register for your 'Creative Pass' today! Click here.
The Regional Arts & Culture Symposium, organized by the Town of Franklin’s Department of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, in collaboration with the Franklin Cultural District and the Franklin Cultural Council, is a dynamic gathering aimed at fostering dialogue and collaboration among artists, cultural leaders, educators, and community members. Building upon the success of previous events, such as the 2023 MetroWest Arts & Culture Symposium held at Dean College, this symposium continues to explore the vital role of arts and culture in community development and economic growth.
Past symposiums have featured esteemed speakers, including Michael Bobbitt, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and have addressed topics like arts advocacy, equity, and the intersection of culture and economy. Attendees have engaged in panel discussions, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities, all designed to inspire and equip participants with strategies to enhance cultural initiatives within their communities.
"This year’s arts and culture symposium scheduled to take place here in Franklin is an exciting gathering of people who are interested in the impact the arts can have on a community. The arts can and do make extraordinary impacts on a community’s identity, its sense of pride and add greatly to its economic vitality. This year’s symposium is an opportunity to learn, share, dream, partner and plan!” - John Ristaino, Franklin Cultural Council Chairperson
This program is brought to the Franklin community by our creative volunteers!
Thank you to our Subcommittee Members:
Kathy Botehlo, Franklin Cultural District Committee, Clerk
Pandora Carlucci, Franklin Cultural District Committee, Vice Chair
Sue Cass, Franklin Cultural District Committee Member
Nicole Horsman, Franklin Cultural Council, Treasurer
John LoPresti, Franklin Cultural District Committee Chair
Kayla Nisbet, Franklin Cultural Council Member
Lisa Oxford, Franklin Cultural Council, Clerk
Swati Rao, Franklin Cultural Council Member
John Ristaino, Franklin Cultural Council Chair
Roberta Trahan, Franklin Cultural District Committee Member