Creative Minds Out Loud

Improbable Players uses theater performances and workshops to address addiction, alcoholism, and the opioid epidemic. The troupe is comprised of actors who are themselves in recovery from substance addiction. Their then-Executive Director Andy Short shares what it means to do destigmatizing and prevention work in schools. “Theater people, we love to believe that the theater … Continue reading "Episode 115: Decreasing Stigma Around Addiction and Recovery"

In late 2019, we spoke to Doneeca Thurston, the newly-named Director of Lynn Museum/Lynn Arts. The 29-year-old Lynn native said her new role felt like a homecoming. She shares her vision for how the museum can be a champion for its majority minority community and ensure that local artists feel respected and celebrated. Doneeca Thurston … Continue reading "Episode 114: Reflecting the Community in Art Spaces"

Sandra Bonnici is a Senior Diversity Fellow for the American Alliance of Museums and a diversity and inclusion consultant. She says that doing the work to make a cultural organization diverse and inclusive requires deep and constant reflection. Institutions need to challenge their processes by asking, “For whom does this work? For whom does this … Continue reading "Episode 113: Unpacking Bias and Privilege in Cultural Organizations"

Sue Dahling Sullivan is an independent consultant with more than 30 years of nonprofit management experience. We spoke to her about strategic planning when she was the Boch/Wang Center’s Chief Strategic Officer and ArtWeek Lead Champion. She believes that you have to be flexible in strategic planning because things do change. It’s an art and … Continue reading "Episode 112: Don’t Just Measure Numbers, You’ll Lose the Real Story"

Dell Marie Hamilton is an artist, writer, and curator. Her work uses the body to investigate questions about personal memory, citizenship, history, and gender. She shares what it’s like to have a creative practice in an era of toxicity, and emphasizes the importance of self-care and continually learning from other artists. Dell Marie Hamilton is … Continue reading "Episode 111: Mindfulness as an Action"

Dr. Deborah Buccino and Adrien Conklin, BSN RN of MACONY Pediatrics discuss the addition of social prescription – prescribing cultural engagement as a protective, healthy habit – to their collaborative care work in the Berkshires. “We can give prescriptions for medicine. We can give prescriptions to see a neurologist. But we can also give a … Continue reading "Episode 110: Prescribing Cultural Engagement as a Protective, Healthy Habit"

Last November, we spoke with Michael J. Bobbitt, Artistic Director of New Repertory Theatre, about approaching major change in an organization. He shares ways to identify organizational culture, support staff work/life balance, and keep a board focused. Michael J. Bobbitt is the Artistic Director of New Repertory Theatre. He is an arts leader, director, choreographer, … Continue reading "Episode 109: To Change an Org’s Culture, Rip Off the Band-Aid"

New Bedford Symphony Orchestra (NBSO) Education Director Terry Wolkowicz discusses Learning in Concert, an in-school partnership program between the NBSO and over 40 elementary schools in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Through this concept-based arts integration program, music educators work with non-arts teachers to remove barriers between a concept (e.g. gravity, space, and sound) and … Continue reading "Episode 108: Learning in Concert"

Kim Dawson is the Director of Advancement at ZUMIX, a venerable creative youth development organization in East Boston. ZUMIX works with a largely immigrant community to better equip its youth to be able to navigate the world once they have graduated out of ZUMIX and high school. Dawson shares how they are expanding their opportunities … Continue reading "Episode 107: Youth Workforce Development in Creative Industries"

“The humanities give people time to reflect and think about issues in a different way than our daily living,” says Jack Cheng, Academic Director of the Boston Clemente Course. The Clemente Course is a college-level introduction to the humanities for adults facing economic hardship and adverse circumstances. Cheng shares how teaching adults makes for a … Continue reading "Episode 106: Sharing the Bounties of Human Culture"

Nicole Terez Dutton is a poet, teacher, and literary editor who also served as the first poet laureate of Somerville, MA. She says, “Ultimately, we’re building poems because we want to connect with each other.” Language particular to an experience can reinvigorate our interaction with and our relationship to language itself. Nicole Terez Dutton‘s work … Continue reading "Episode 105: Building the Poem"

AHA! (Arts, History, Architecture) in New Bedford, MA is the longest continuously-funded placemaking and creative economy project in the country. For 20 years, this monthly, free, downtown cultural night and collaborative organization has provided a platform for community development and understanding. Lee Heald, Director of AHA!, discusses how their cross-sector work supports the local economy … Continue reading "Episode 104: AHA! 20 Years of Placemaking"

Last fall, we spoke with Audrey Seraphin, Membership and Capacity Building Manager at ArtsBoston, about how to get more people of color working in cultural organizations and about their Network for Arts Administrators of Color (or NAAC Boston). NAAC Boston enhances the visibility of professionals of color in Greater Boston’s arts and culture sector, and … Continue reading "Episode 103: Enhancing the Visibility of Professionals of Color"

The Boston Gay Men’s Chorus is one of New England’s largest and most successful community-based choruses. Executive Director Craig Coogan discusses their work as performers and cultural ambassadors – in the US and abroad – to inspire change and celebrate difference. Craig Coogan joined the BGMC as Executive Director in October 2012. He is an … Continue reading "Episode 102: Music Triumphs Over Injustice"

L’Merchie Frazier is an artist and Director of Education and Interpretation for the Museum of African American History, Boston/Nantucket. Her work is centered on helping others to find their voice and discover their own innate creativity. She shares how her community projects aim to encourage people – individually and collectively – to participate in the … Continue reading "Episode 101: An Emergence of the People, their Spirit, their Stories"

To mark the occasion of our 100th episode, we have invited Maria Garcia, Senior Editor of the ARTery, WBUR’s arts and culture team, to be our special guest host. She interviews Anita Walker, Executive Director of Mass Cultural Council, who discusses her 13 years leading the agency, and what it looks like to eliminate mistrust … Continue reading "Episode 100: Eliminate Mistrust"

Marquis Victor is the Founding Executive Director of Elevated Thought, a creative youth development nonprofit in Lawrence, MA. He believes that art is a form of liberation, and that young people – once they have access and exposure to art – are able to build a foundation of self, expand their minds and eyes to … Continue reading "Episode 99: Art is a Humanizing Process"

Luis Croquer is the Henry & Lois Foster Director and Chief Curator of the Rose Art Museum. He discusses how the inclusion of more art historians from diverse backgrounds is helping rewrite the stories of artists previously overlooked by collecting institutions. He says centering the work of these artists also complicates the whole idea of … Continue reading "Episode 98: Broadening the Canon"

Kate Gilbert, Executive Director of Now + There, says the most successful public art is trying to disrupt how we walk through and see the world. She discusses how her organization supports temporary work in Boston as a strategy for changing how public art gets made and is appreciated. Kate Gilbert is on a mission … Continue reading "Episode 97: Public Art Accelerator"

Mandy Precious, Engagement and Learning Director at Theatre Royal Plymouth, shares how social prescription – prescribing the arts or arts activities over medication – has impacted their organization and their community. Through their Our Space program, adults with addiction, homelessness, and/or mental health issues come to see productions and make their own work. Mandy Precious … Continue reading "Episode 96: When Well-Being Takes the Stage"

Vijay Mathew, Cultural Strategist and Co-Founder of HowlRound Theater Commons, discusses the impact of climate change on the field of arts and culture, and what a transition to a post-carbon arts sector may entail. Vijay Mathew (he/him/his) is the Cultural Strategist and a co-founder of HowlRound Theatre Commons, based at Emerson College, Boston, USA. He … Continue reading "Episode 95: The Arts Sector in the Age of Climate Change"

Through “Look at Art. Get Paid,” artists Maia Chao and Josephine Devanbu pay people who have never been to an art museum to visit one as guest critics. Having both studied social science in addition to art, Chao and Devanbu crave a candid conversation about the structural inequalities of art, critique, and its institutions. Maia … Continue reading "Episode 94: Look at Art. Get Paid."

Matthew Mazzotta is an artist and activist. His work utilizes – and fuels – community dialogue. Through the creation of public artwork and space, he aims to leave people with an experience that expands their view of where they live. Matthew Mazzotta works at the intersection of art, activism, and urbanism, focusing on the power … Continue reading "Episode 93: Creating Public Space for Community Health"

Celina Miranda, Executive Director of Hyde Square Task Force (HSTF), discusses the integral role of young people in the creation of Boston’s Latin Quarter Cultural District. She says that HSTF youth were compelled to speak up about the importance of having a place to call home and a place that recognizes their strengths and assets. … Continue reading "Episode 92: Youth Voice Transforms a Neighborhood"

Heather Cook founded Three Match Creations with an aim to spark community in Central Massachusetts through creativity, innovation, and education. Their Co-Lab offers a center for connection between whoever is looking for a support system – artists, makers, creatives, and/or growers. Raised in the backwoods of Montana, completely off-grid, Heather Cook learned at an early … Continue reading "Episode 91: Igniting Community in Central Mass"

George Fifield, Director of Boston Cyberarts, says, “Anytime you have a technology which can create an expressive medium, artists are some of the first people there – after it’s invented – to really explore it, and to stretch it, and to see what it really can do.” He discusses the evolution of media arts and … Continue reading "Episode 90: Technology as an Expressive Medium"

“The humanities are human beings interpreting what human beings do,” says Brian Boyles, Executive Director of Mass Humanities. He discusses Mass Humanities’ work to support communities who are doing humanities work in the public square. He says that given the crises we’re facing as a country, the more the humanities can be a part of … Continue reading "Episode 89: Common Spaces for Sharing Our Humanity"

Juliet Feibel, Executive Director of ArtsWorcester, discusses some secrets for success and longevity in a small organization, including how to be a real partner with her board. She says their onboarding protocol clarifies expectations so that by the time a member is serving they already have an understanding of their role and responsibilities. A native … Continue reading "Episode 88: Navigating the Board Relationship"

Lecolion Washington, CEO and Executive Director of the Community Music Center of Boston, discusses some of the barriers to seeing more diversity in symphony orchestras across America, what systemic change takes, and how to create an organizational culture that is success-based, not deficit-based. Lecolion Washington, CEO/Executive Director of the Community Music Center of Boston. M.M. … Continue reading "Episode 87: There’s the Intent and There’s the Impact"

Malia Lazu, Founder of The Urban Labs, discusses her work to support startups and creative entrepreneurs through Accelerate Boston, a program that teaches the basics of business through curricula and alumni support. She says the program explores an inherent tension between a creative’s ambitions around their vision to make what they want to make, and … Continue reading "Episode 86: Supporting Creatives in Their Startups"

David Sun Kong is Director of MIT Media Lab’s Community Biotechnology Initiative; Founder and Board President of EMW Community Space, an art, technology, and community space in Cambridge, MA; a DJ and photographer. He says there’s a disconnect between the life sciences sector and general public. His work at the intersection of art, science, design, and … Continue reading "Episode 85: Innovation at the Edge"

Max Hodges, Executive Director of the Boston Ballet, shares the story of a business plan competition (à la “Shark Tank”) for new revenue that engaged the Ballet’s entire organization of more than 500 people, including staff, dancers, musicians, and board members. Meredith Max Hodges—who goes by Max—joined Boston Ballet as Executive Director in 2014, and leads … Continue reading "Episode 84: Boston Ballet’s Business Plan Competition"

Rosemary Tracy Woods, Executive Director of Art for the Soul Gallery in Springfield, MA, discusses how artists can plug into their local arts community and how a community’s efforts to engage local artists can be more inclusive, and ultimately more representative of all the people they serve. Rosemary Tracy Woods, Executive Director of Art for … Continue reading "Episode 83: Engaging Diverse Artists"

The American Repertory Theater’s Diane Paulus and Diane Borger share how they think about risk, and what it means to have “high tolerance for disequilibrium” that permeates the entire culture of an organization. By experimenting with doing things differently, they say artists and arts organizations actually develop muscle and an ability to stay afloat in … Continue reading "Episode 82: The ART of Taking Risks"

Boston’s Fort Point is home to over 300 artists who produce work in a wide array of media. Jennifer Mecca, President of Fort Point Artist Community, discusses the huge changes this neighborhood has seen over the years. She shares how the artists’ community (one of New England’s largest) has evolved from being in “SOS” mode … Continue reading "Episode 81: Adapting to Change, Not Just Fighting It"

Greg Jenkins, Executive Director of the Somerville Arts Council, shares how he and his colleagues build relationships with Somerville’s diverse new immigrant populations as both arts audience members and programming partners. This type of community engagement identifies new sources of cultural energy and assets, he says, and a willingness to enter a world that may … Continue reading "Episode 80: Partnering with New Immigrants"

Sociedad Latina is the oldest Latino youth organization in Boston. Its creative youth development program supports young people from middle-school into early college or career. Executive Director Alex Oliver-Dávila, discusses the symbiotic relationship they have formed with numerous local colleges which allows their students to experience a pathway to higher education and bridges an institutional … Continue reading "Episode 79: Opening Doors and Creating Pathways"

How do you follow in the footsteps of an organizational leader — especially a beloved, well-respected founder? Margaret Keller, Executive Director of Community Access to the Arts (CATA), discusses the transition process for her taking the helm at CATA five years ago when founder Sandy Newman retired, and offers tips for board members on how … Continue reading "Episode 78: Following in a Founder’s Footsteps"

Eileen McCaffery, Executive Director of Community Music School of Springfield, and Julie Jaron, Director of Visual and Performing Arts for the Springfield Public Schools, discuss their work over five years on the Sonido Musica program, a partnership that aims to reduce Springfield’s high school drop-out rate through student engagement, leadership, and performance opportunities. What started … Continue reading "Episode 77: Sonido Musica in Harmony"

John Durant, Director of the MIT Museum, discusses the origins of the Cambridge Science Festival, the first of its kind in the United States. Now in its 13th year, the Festival attracts more than 100,000 visitors annually, hosts events in more than 70 different venues from Cape Cod to Central Massachusetts, and works with more … Continue reading "Episode 76: Celebrating Science and Technology in the Community, for the Community"

Patrice Maye, Executive Director of the South Shore Art Center and Scituate Harbor Cultural District, discusses creative placemaking across the South Shore, including Scituate’s Sister City Projects with West Cork, Ireland and Sucy-en-Brie, France. A non-profit executive with 20 years of experience in building resources and audiences for diverse mission-driven organizations, Patrice Maye joined South … Continue reading "Episode 75: South Shore Cultural Community on the Map, Here and Abroad"

There’s more to New Bedford than just whaling. Lee Blake, President of the New Bedford Historical Society, discusses how the city’s residents are pulling their history together to create a new conversation about what New Bedford did to end slavery, and how that history can inform and inspire a more progressive social agenda. As president … Continue reading "Episode 74: New Bedford Asks: What Would an Abolitionist Do Now?"

Discovery Museum is a hands-on museum that blends science, nature, and play, inspiring families to explore and learn together. Neil Gordon, CEO, discusses how universal design and User/Experts informed their recent expansion to a 16,000sf accessible building. He also shares their efforts to integrate parents into the exhibit experience. He says that in the museum’s … Continue reading "Episode 73: Hands-on Learning, Creating for Kids and Caregivers"

Catherine Allgor, President of Massachusetts Historical Society, shares her path to becoming an historian, and how the Society is expanding efforts to “get out” – by digitizing collections, expanding community partnerships, and more. (Also, don’t miss this conversation we had with Allgor last year about Mass History Day, a state affiliate of National History Day, … Continue reading "Episode 72: Mass Historical Society is “Getting Out”"

John Majercak is President of the Center for EcoTechnology, a nonprofit organization providing advice and resources for people and businesses to help them save energy and reduce waste. He shares ways cultural organizations can be more energy and cost efficient. John Majercak has overall responsibility for leading the Center for EcoTechnology including strategic planning, program development, … Continue reading "Episode 71: Green is Good"

The Theater Offensive presents the diversity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer lives in art so bold it breaks through personal isolation, challenges the status quo, and builds thriving communities. Evelyn Francis, Interim Artistic Director, discusses their youth program – a national model for creative youth development – where young people not only create … Continue reading "Episode 70: Out Youth Theater – Revelatory Experience for Performers and Audience"

Choreographer and Master Teacher Adrienne Hawkins discusses the field of dance – how the making of, and support for, the work has changed over time, its persistent challenges, and its inherent joys. Ms. Hawkins holds a BA in Education from Arizona State University and a MFA in Dance from Connecticut College. She was Artistic Director … Continue reading "Episode 69: Iconoclast of Dance"

Matthias Waschek, Executive Director of the Worcester Art Museum, says truly accessible museums create experiences that make visitors want to return. In doing so they must challenge institutional norms to welcome and engage more diverse populations. Matthias Waschek joined the Worcester Art Museum in 2011 as the C. Jean and Myles McDonough Director. German born, … Continue reading "Episode 68: Access Means Overcoming Psychological Barriers, Too"

The Berkshires are home to an array of arts and culture organizations, and 13 schools districts. Connecting these two worlds often means overcoming barriers of distance and transportation. Lisa Donovan, Professor of Arts Management at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, discusses efforts underway to create a regional, rural model for collaboration between arts education … Continue reading "Episode 67: Connecting Rural Schools to Arts Education"

Al Wilson, Founder and Executive Director of Beyond Walls, discusses their work to create public art installations in Lynn, MA. He shares how perceptions were torn down as part of this process, bringing people into downtown and changing the image and ethos around this diverse and vibrant city. Al Wilson is the Founder and Executive … Continue reading "Episode 66: Lynn, Lynn, City of Murals"

The City of New Bedford wanted to increase its high school graduation rates. As their response, New Bedford Whaling Museum launched the High School Apprenticeship Program, which provides resources and support to students that deepen community engagement and cultivate college and career readiness. Director of Apprentices and Interns Christina Turner and then Vice President of … Continue reading "Episode 65: Museum Apprenticeships Transform Lives of New Bedford Youth"