UNC Charlotte and the Levine Museum of the New South partner on new exhibit and community conversations

UNC Charlotte is the education sponsor of a new, year-long exhibit at the Levine Museum of the New South. The museum debuted “Changing Places: From Black and White to Technicolor,” Saturday, Feb. 14.

The multipart project will explore how people in the Charlotte region are dealing with the growing cultural diversity and change created by the influx of newcomers from across the U.S. and around the globe.

As the educational sponsor, UNC Charlotte will host a monthly conversation at the Levine Museum at 6 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month through February 2010. “UNC Charlotte Community Conversations: Changing Times…Changing Minds” will feature University experts accompanied by business and community leaders to discuss specific challenges and opportunities related to Charlotte’s evolving demographics.

The first panel discussion will take place on Feb. 18 and will feature UNC Charlotte Chancellor Philip L. Dubois,with Emily Zimmern, Levine Museum president and CEO, andHarry Jones, Mecklenburg County manager. They will discuss current economic and cultural adaptations and the needs of our region. Michael Marsicano, president of the Foundation of the Carolinas, will moderate.

The Belk College will sponsor the May 20 program, focusing on affordable housing and moderated by Dr. Steve Ott, director of the UNC Charlotte Center for Real Estate. Additional information will be available on this program in April.

The topic for the March 18 panel is “Charlotte’s Sustainable Future: Engineering Real Change” and will include discussion about building and maintaining sustainable neighborhoods, innovative land use and site planning and the possible economic impact of the sustainability industry on the Charlotte region.

Future topics in the series include the impact of growth on infrastructure and religious diversity.

The Feb. 18 community conversation is free and open to the public. The cost of attendance to each monthly presentation thereafter is $3 for Levine Museum members and $6 for non-members. UNC Charlotte faculty, staff and students are admitted free.