Creative Minds Out Loud

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"