Creative Minds Out Loud

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"