The Community Engagement Network exists to strengthen the quality of community engagement work in arts organizations and to foster understanding of and support for CE in the nonprofit arts industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We hope to create a space for practitioners and administrators to share ideas and learn from each other. To learn tactics and ideas that have worked best, foster collaboration between organizations, and influence organizational planning to include CE as core focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you would like to join the Community Engagement Network <\/strong>to be sure to receive information about future opportunities, <\/strong>you may do so either through the Facebook group Become Indispensable<\/a> or, for those who prefer to avoid Facebook, sign up via https:\/\/forms.gle\/EovwM8YkeSYLbF4d7<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Community Engagement Network hosts a Conversations series. These are opportunities for engagement professionals working in or planning to work in the nonprofit arts to discuss issues of interest. Information about past and upcoming Conversations is given below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 24th, 2023, 1:00 pm (EST) via Zoom The conversation will be held via Zoom. Please register in advance:\u00a0\u00a0https:\/\/boisestate.zoom.us\/meeting\/register\/tJwrd-ygpjwtGdaNGh6T4J51esw0-RUXe7zV<\/a> Community Engagement \u2013 Where do we stand? Where are we going?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n January 30, 2023, 2:00 pm (EST) via Zoom<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The past two and half years have been challenging for arts organizations and the communities they serve. Join the conversation with your community engagement colleagues in the arts (dance, music, theater, visual art, and literary) to discuss the status of community engagement and what are we planning for the future. This conversation is an opportunity to share with others how you and your organization have adapted and to learn what others have done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Community Engagement Network hosted a Conversation titled Summary and Status of Research in Community Engaged Arts on Friday, April 29 from Noon to 1:00 pm EDT. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This Conversation, led by Kathleen Riemenschneider, was a presentation of research in community engaged arts followed by a Q&A and discussion. The presentation presented a review of the research literature on community engagement and the arts. It also discussed what type of research has been conducted and some of the challenges in conducting the research. Here is a link to a paper that summarizes the concepts in the research literature related to community engaged arts: https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/mr3wxjah<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kathleen Riemenschneider<\/strong>, Ed.D., has developed and managed arts education and community engagement programs for 25 years. She has completed the Community Engagement Trainer training with Doug Borwick and serves on the Community Engagement Network advisory board. Dr. Riemenschneider founded the Cincy Emerging Arts Leaders in 2006 and has served on boards of directors and committees for non-profit organizations. Dr. Riemenschneider has a Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies from Xavier University, a MA in Comparative Studies from the Ohio State University, and a BA in English from Indiana University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022 and the Future of Community Engagement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Community Engagement Network hosted a Conversation titled 2022 and the Future of Community Engagement on Friday, February 11 from Noon to 1 pm EST.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a turbulent 2021 behind us and continued (and growing) uncertainty ahead, what are the prospects for community engagement in the arts and in what ways can it support rebuilding and expansion efforts? Our next Conversation will focus on what members are experiencing in their own organizations and what hopes (and fears) they have about this work going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some potential questions for the discussion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Community Engagement Network hosted a Conversation titled Can We Talk? on Friday, October 8 from Noon to 1:00 pm EDT. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The focus was on small group (3-4 people) discussions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One topic was The Future of the Community Engagement Network. This will be an opportunity to discuss what the CEN could and should (or should not) be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For everyone else, as before, this was a chance to talk about successes and frustrations in community engagement work. (Think, as a shorthand, of a support group.) The small group breakout rooms for the latter were organized around length of experience in the field. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Community Engagement Network hosted Conversations on Friday, May 7 and Friday, June 4 at Noon EDT on the topic: Benchmarking Equity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the nonprofit arts industry, the pursuit and achievement of equity can no longer be a \u201cconcern\u201d or an aspiration. Achieving it is an existential imperative. But how do we get beyond talk? One option is to establish concrete goals\u2013benchmarks\u2013for ourselves. Knowing what categories to include and how to set meaningful goals is a way to begin. The Community Engagement Network will host a Conversation to discuss the options. Clearly, such a discussion will be neither definitive nor final. It is only a beginning, but a beginning that must happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This discussion will not focus on setting benchmarks for specific organizations. Many (most?) are not ready for that. It will be about identifying generic parameters and timeframes that can be adopted\/adapted when organizations are<\/em> ready to begin the work seriously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Discussion Prompts [We will divide participants into groups to address as many of the following questions as possible. Each group will record its thoughts on a common document.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Background Reading<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Community Engagement Network hosted a Conversation on April 2, Noon EDT: Build Back Better: Community Relationships, Equity, and Participatory Activities <\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The pandemic has stopped us in our tracks, forcing closures and cutbacks while generating anxiety about the future. It has also presented, if we choose to take it, an opportunity for rethinking. April\u2019s Community Engagement Network Conversation will consider three areas in which we could emerge from this crisis stronger and as more important players in the lives of our communities. <\/span>We will divide into self-selected groups to discuss <\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n Discussion Prompts (in each topic):<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Background Reading<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Community Engagement hosted a Conversation on March 5, Noon EST: Equity and Engagement. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Participants in February\u2019s Conversation requested that we have a session dealing with diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is a far bigger topic than can be handled in a single session and peer conversations are not the right forum for deep learning about these issues; but talking about them is<\/em> important. Equity and engagement are (or should be) closely linked. In this Conversation we will discuss the relationship between engagement and equity, the importance of equity for the future of arts organizations, and the prospects for establishing benchmarks for DEI work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Discussion prompts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Background reading:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Community Engagement hosted a Conversation, titled Engagement on a Shoestring<\/strong> (Early \u201cFunding\u201d of CE) on February 5, Noon EST.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In the arts there are never enough resources (human or financial) to do \u201cone more thing.\u201d This is often used as an objection to community engagement. Fortunately, initial efforts in community engagement can and should be simple and inexpensive, focused primarily on changing habits of mind. Over time, as relationships develop and experience is gained, successful community engagement will attract sources of funding that would otherwise never be available to an arts organization.We will focus on what are rightly the \u201cshoestring\u201d stages. If time permits we will begin discussing the reality of expanded funding for engagement. (If not, we\u2019ll do that another time.)<\/p>\n\n\n The Community Engagement Network hosted a Conversation, titled Can We Talk?, on Friday, December 4 from Noon to 1:00 pm EST. <\/strong><\/p>\n For those who participated in previous Conversations, we will have a single <\/strong>longer breakout room session devoted to discussing successes and\/or frustrations <\/strong>in community engagement work.<\/strong> Think of this as a support group. We will organize the rooms around your experience in community engagement.<\/p>\n As an alternative<\/strong>, for anyone interested, there will be the opportunity to choose a discussion of “Engagement Essentials” (definitions and principles for effective engagement)<\/strong> led by Doug Borwick.<\/p>\n If you would like to participate in the Conversation, sign up using this link:<\/strong> If you would like to join the Community Engagement Network <\/strong>to be sure to receive information about future opportunities, <\/strong>you may do so either through the Facebook group Become Indispensable<\/a> Discussion Outline: Final Debrief<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Community Engagement Network hosted a Conversation on Friday, October 23 from 11:00 am to Noon EDT<\/strong> addressing the topic of making arts organizations more \u201cengagement friendly.\u201d (Discussion outline below.) This is a follow-up to the September 10 Conversation but participation in that is not necessary to join this discussion.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Discussion<\/strong> Outline<\/strong> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n For those who did not participate in the first Conversation:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Context: <\/span><\/em>Needs of the Field<\/em><\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n CONVERSATION 1: Activating Your Organization<\/strong> (September 10, 2020) focused on strategies for making arts organizations more \u201cengagement friendly.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\nConversations<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Next CONVERSATION<\/strong>:
Defining Community Engagement Success<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>How do you measure the effectiveness of your partnerships? How do you \u2018define success\u2019 in your community engagement work? There are as many answers to those questions as there are communities across this country, but Jason Holland will share a few tools he developed over many years of community engagement work that he found to be effective. Have data that will appease your board while fostering a quality relationship with a partner organization that goes beyond the numbers. Jason is the former VP of Community Engagement for Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Southern California and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nPAST CONVERSATIONS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Summary and Status of Research in Community Engaged Arts<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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CONVERSATION: Can We Talk? II<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
CONVERSATION: Benchmarking Equity<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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CONVERSATION: Build Back Better<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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CONVERSATION: Equity and Engagement<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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CONVERSATION: Engagement on a Shoestring<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
CONVERSATION: Can We Talk?<\/h4>\n
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https:\/\/zoom.us\/meeting\/register\/tJctcOmurj0jGdztzh3RAoHBDk3qJZfDdJgY<\/a>
Feel free to invite colleagues.<\/p>\n <\/h4>\n
(https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/668362663522307<\/a>) or,
for those who prefer to avoid Facebook, sign up via https:\/\/forms.gle\/EovwM8YkeSYLbF4d7<\/a><\/p>\n <\/h4>\n
<\/strong>Housekeeping
Breakout Rooms<\/p>\n <\/h4>\n
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CONVERSATION 2: Activating Your Organization 2<\/h4>\n
Steps: Preparation<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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