Practice Best Practices: Project Planning for Creatives Workshop

Introduction

• Host: Den Santoro, Project Manager for Practice Best Practice
• Thanks to Sponsors:
  • Fall River Arts and Culture Coalition (FRACC)
  • Rockland Chip Trust Charitable Foundation
  • Carver, Dartmouth, and New Bedford Local Cultural Councils
  • Partners like National Park Service, New Bedford Art Museum, and others
• Special Thanks to Presenters: Kat Newton, Jim McKee, and Mark Parsons
• Workshop guidelines and logistics (e.g., chat for questions, mute during presentations, etc.)

Presentation by Mark Parsons

• Mark's Background:
  • Artist, Director of an Architecture School, Design/Build Business
  • Experience with large-scale projects and community engagement
• Key Projects:
  1. Big Burr
     • Environmental sculpture using bamboo
     • Importance of testing concepts and collaborating with sponsors
  2. Sun Drop
     • Community engagement project; faced challenges
  3. Dissonance Bridge
     • Event and art creation through public participation
  4. Redline
     • Large-scale sculpture, collaboration with Grounds for Sculpture
• Key Takeaways:
  • Understand sponsor needs and align projects with them
  • Effective communication and use of resources
  • Importance of documentation and persistence

Presentation by Kat Newton

• Background:
  • Artist and Educator, interested in combining art and business
  • Emphasizes interdisciplinary research and multimedia
• Key Projects:
  1. Loving Vincent Film
     • Worked as an animator
     • Importance of adapting to team and project style
  2. Jazz Mural and Other Projects
     • Community-focused mural projects
     • Importance of project planning and budget management
• Key Takeaways:
  • Importance of clear communication and contracts
  • Understanding client needs and project goals
  • Community engagement as a crucial component of projects

Presentation by Jim McKee

• Background:
  • Experience in community-building and project management
  • Focus on collaboration for large-scale community projects
• Project Planning Considerations:
  • Importance of collaboration and when to pursue it
  • Detailed project planning and budgeting
  • Logistics and approvals for public projects
• Resources and Tools:
  • Mention of several grant and funding sources
  • Use of community resources and partnerships for support

Q&A Session

• Discussions on tools and approaches for project planning
• Importance of communication and documentation
• Building a network and community engagement
• Encouragement to pursue projects aligned with personal and community values

Conclusion

• Importance of building sustainable practices and networks
• Encouragement to utilize available resources and support systems
• Reminder about upcoming workshops and resources available online