Kira Corser sent me this interesting email about an organization in St. Paul, Minn that has just completed a handbook for Artist Working with the Community. Springboard for the Arts impressed me with this handbook and with their guiding principles so I am stating them here. Such good words to live by if you are involved with any organization for the arts. Contact info@springboardforthearts.org to get a copy of their handbook.
I also listened to a conversation about how entrepreneurs need to play a deciding role in the future of our planet. A Conversation about the Changemaking Mindset We Need Now is an interview of Jacqueline Novogratz author of Manifesto for a Moral Revolution and CEO of Acumen in conversation with Jean Case, Chair of National Geographic and CEO of the Case Foundation My summary notes are below.
SPRINGBOARD FOR THE ARTS GUIDING PRINCIPLES Our way of working is equally important as what we do. There are 9 key principles that drive our work.
Artists are assets
Artists exist in every community, and art is inseparable from the communities in which it is made. Our work helps illuminate the social and economic value of art and creativity.
By artists for artists
Everyone who works at Springboard is an artist. We recognize the expertise and experience of artists and incorporate that into creating effective, relevant programs to meet artists’ needs.
The broadest definition of who is an artist
Everyone has creative capacity and there are many different ways to be an artist. We also know that there are many kinds of success for an artist, and we help artists define success for themselves – financial success, recognition, a supportive community, respect, social change, and more.
More is more
We make and share tools designed to benefit as many artists as possible. We believe interconnected communities of artists create an impact in ways that single interventions do not. By freely sharing our work and creating connections among artists and communities, we work to make substantial, system-wide change.
Equity is a precondition for vibrant communities
Beyond accessibility, our programs address systemic and structural inequities and seek to build equity, agency and power in communities, neighborhoods and systems.
Reciprocal relationships
We seek mutual respect, trust, commitment, and reciprocity with all our partners. We don’t go it alone. We create and customize programs with partners based on mutual goals, and we invite partners to strengthen and change our work.
Cross-sector collaborations that last
We help artists collaborate with existing resources and systems, both because there is abundant potential in those resources, and because we believe they will be strengthened by artists’ contributions. We focus on building bridges and mechanisms that help relationships continue to thrive without us.
Boldness and creativity
Our work is characterized by optimism that change is possible, and belief that the boldness and creativity of artists can address the challenges facing our communities. We also know that in order to engage people, this movement has to be fun.
Hospitality and welcome
We value an attitude of abundance over scarcity. Our goal is always to create an environment, real or virtual, that is welcoming to newcomers and existing partners and friends alike. Hot coffee and tea with all the fixins is something we always have available – a symbol of offering the best of what we have to our guests and our staff.
Summary Notes by Patricia Frischer from a Conversation about the Changemaking Mindset We Need Now
You can now see the entire presentation at this link.
You can now see the entire presentation at this link.
Jacqueline Novogratz author of Manifesto for a Moral Revolution and CEO of Acumen in conversation with Jean Case, Chair of National Geographic and CEO of the Case Foundation
Manifesto must be based on our own passions. It should be a calling to see every human being as worth investing in. We don’t aim for win/lose. We want Win/Win.
Entrepreneurs are seekers. There powers will solve our problems. But they can’t use their conventional tools to create an ecosystem for change. Besides investment capital they need social capitol. Plus, they need the character willing to change the world to make it fully equal.
Problems in the USA are not just ideological. We can come together to solve problems of inequity, poverty, discrimination. How this happens is the subject of her book.
JUST START: People in hard places have learned you just have to start. This is a good lesson for America which was not perceived to be a hard place but is now. We must walk toward a problem with courage and see what each next step is.
LISTEN: Entrepreneurs solve problems. But you need to listen to know what the problems actually are. You need the vision of other peoples’ eyes. Listening can be a super power. Put aside your bias and even your excitement. Find out what are the needs of those you are trying to help.
COURAGE: Changing takes courage. Speaking up takes courage. Painful decisions take courage. Standing up to bullies takes courage. It takes courage to keep going. Courage is a muscle that you need to build up. Exercise and practice courage.
Celebrate FAILURE: Face the struggle and the failures and don’t hide those. Discomfort is a part of the process. Failing early is helpful. Leverage your success by using failures as opportunities.
HOLDING OPPOSING VALUES: The job of the moral leader to stand for what is positive and possible and not to tear down. Try not to go to polar extremes. Pivot to a conversation about shared values. All of us have the potential to be good and bad people. We all have the possibility of doing bad things if we are afraid or threatened. Don’t polarize an argument, but seek common ground.
MARGINALIZED PEOPLE: Equity lens needs to be clear about who is being left out and what they need. Example: creating an app for Spanish only speakers who need to communicate with English speaking only doctors. Private sector corporations can partner with the public sector to provide needs of the community. Changing the mission from only making a profit to the more rewarding mission of serving people.
ACUMEN: We don’t choose what happens to us, but we get to choose how we respond. Challenging times are opportunities. Always look for the possible. Re-imagine partnership, technologies, business opportunities. ACUMEN Manifesto: It’s the radical idea of creating hope in a cynical world. Changing the way the world tackles poverty and building a world based on dignity.
