Creative Minds Out Loud

Susan Chinsen, Establishing Director of the Boston Asian American Film Festival (BAAFF), says film festivals can be powerful tools to engage the public and spark important – sometimes tricky – conversations. She discusses a key goal of BAAFF – to build community amongst Asian Americans by providing a forum to gather, connect, and take pride … Continue reading "Episode 27: Projecting & Reflecting on Cultural Heritage"

Eric Booth, one of the foremost experts in the world on teaching artists, speaks about the field and craft of teaching artistry. He says while teaching artists are recognized as learning catalysts – by the education, business, and healthcare sectors (to name a few) – there continue to be insufficient growth pathways to support the … Continue reading "Episode 26: The Potency of Teaching Artistry"

Beryl Jolly, Executive Director of the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, discusses their capital campaign to restore their historic theater, retire old debt, and establish operating reserves. She says their cash reserve will allow the Mahaiwe to invest more directly in the artist, in the theater, and in the community. Beryl Jolly has been the director … Continue reading "Episode 25: A Capital Campaign with Lasting Impact (and a Cash Reserve!)"

Dr. Peggy Codding, Professor of Music in Music Therapy at the Berklee College of Music, says our brains allow us to compensate for the needs our brains have. She describes the ability of the brain to retrain neurons through music therapy, helping people with profound functional disabilities to express themselves. Peggy Codding, Ph.D, MT-BC is … Continue reading "Episode 24: Music Therapy & Neuroplasticity"

Catalyst Conversations presents intimate and provocative conversations between artists, scientists, and the public. Deborah Davidson, Founder and Director, describes how the organization came to be and how magic ensues when artists and scientists interplay. Deborah Davidson is a curator, artist and educator. Deborah received her M.F.A. from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts/Tufts … Continue reading "Episode 23: Vivid, Beautiful Language Spoken Between Art & Science"

There’s an enormous amount of generational leadership change that’s happening in our arts and cultural organizations. And while people may liken succession planning to a form of disaster preparedness, Old Sturbridge Village – the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast – sees it differently. Jim Donahue, President and CEO of Old Sturbridge Village, discusses … Continue reading "Episode 22: Leadership Change Needn’t Be A Crisis"

Erin Williams, Cultural Development Officer for the City of Worcester and Executive Director of the Worcester Cultural Coalition, discusses what’s possible when arts & culture has a seat in City Hall, and what can be gained by integrating the arts into city strategies. Erin I. Williams is the Cultural Development Officer for the City of … Continue reading "Episode 21: When Arts & Culture Have a Seat in City Hall"

Mass Audubon is working hard to ensure that everyone can enjoy the nature of Massachusetts. Lucy Gertz, Statewide Education Projects Manager, details how what began in 2008 with the construction of a pilot “sensory trail” has since evolved into their Accessible Interpretive Trails Project, which includes 12 multi-sensory, interpretive All Persons Trails. Lucy Gertz, Statewide … Continue reading "Episode 20: Access to the Natural World"

Over the last decade, the Maker Movement has grown into a worldwide network of people from all disciplines coming together to learn through play and through making. Eric Rosenbaum, a creative technologist with a doctorate from MIT Media Lab’s Lifelong Kindergarten group, says there’s a powerful promise in unlocking the potential that we all have … Continue reading "Episode 19: Learning Through Play, Through Making"

Earlier this year, the Boston Foundation released a study, “How Boston and Other American Cities Support and Sustain the Arts.” Julie Koo, Vice President of TDC and co-author of the report, shares key findings from the research and how Boston’s philanthropic scenes varies from other US cities. Juliana Koo is a Vice President at TDC, … Continue reading "Episode 18: How Does Arts Funding in Boston Compare?"

With more than 1.3 million visitors a year, the New England Aquarium is one of the premier visitor attractions in Boston and a major public education resource for the region. William Spitzer, Vice President for Programs, Exhibits and Planning, shares how the Aquarium has transitioned from focusing on individual consumer behaviors to collective and civic … Continue reading "Episode 17: New England Aquarium’s Ethos of Civic Engagement"

Through Barrington Stage Company’s creative youth development program, Playwright Mentoring Project, theatre is used as a catalyst to help under-served youth learn skills to aid them in developing positive self-images. Artistic Director Julie Boyd speaks to the cathartic nature of this work and to how their programs in education and theatre-making interweave. Julianne Boyd co-founded the … Continue reading "Episode 16: Youth Finding a Voice, Finding a Stage"

Since 1978, a formal ordinance in the City of Cambridge has required by law that they include artists in the thinking and practice of designing and building the city. Jason Weeks, Executive Director of the Cambridge Arts Council, details how their public art program has grown to become a nationally-recognized model, and a steward for … Continue reading "Episode 15: Playing the Long Game for Public Art"

The Johnson String Project is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to provide high-quality instruments to children who live in underserved communities and who are participating in El-Sistema-inspired programs in Massachusetts. Carol Johnson, Founder and President, talks about the creation of their musical instrument lending library and the public/private partnership behind it. Carol Johnson is … Continue reading "Episode 14: A Musical Instrument Lending Library"

Universal design is an approach toward design which embraces the diversity of human ability. It’s a foundation upon which arts & culture organizations can build their facilities, perform their concerts, and design their exhibitions. Josh Safdie, a principal at Kessler McGuinness and Associates discusses design of environments, buildings, objects, and systems that work for people … Continue reading "Episode 13: Universal Design – Embracing the Diversity of Human Ability"