Achieving Authentic Collaborations in Arts-Based Community Engagement Work
There are many reasons why arts organizations might collaborate. These collaborations happen across sectors and take many organizational forms. Despite the potential advantages of these partnerships, there are also challenges in developing such collaborations that benefit all parties. This session draws upon the recent work of the Community Engagement office at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in partnership with the Latin American Youth Center. Using this case as a reference point, we will explore the ways in which authentic collaborations centered on relationships may be achieved, and the benefits and challenges in developing such partnerships.
Organized as a facilitated workshop, the presenters will first provide background and resources from the existing partnership and then pose prompts and organize discussion around questions, gaps, and challenges that exist in arts-based collaborations in community contexts. As our focus is on collaboration, including partnerships across sectors, the workshop will be designed for multiple intended audiences including artists, community arts, and arts organizations. At the end of the session, participants will reflect on their small group discussion with all those in attendance.
There are many reasons why arts organizations might collaborate. These collaborations happen across sectors and take many organizational forms. Despite the potential advantages of these partnerships, there are also challenges in developing such collaborations that benefit all parties. This session draws upon the recent work of the Community Engagement office at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in partnership with the Latin American Youth Center. Using this case as a reference point, we will explore the ways in which authentic collaborations centered on relationships may be achieved, and the benefits and challenges in developing such partnerships. Kate Keeney
Kate Keeney is Associate Professor of Arts Leadership and Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland. Her research interests bridge arts management and nonprofit management scholarship with a specific focus on cultural policy, leadership, and organizations. Dr. Keeney is a consulting editor for the Journal of Arts Management, Law, and Society, Cultural Trends, and is a board member of the international scholarly society, Social Theory, Politics, and the Arts. She especially enjoys collaborating with others in interdisciplinary work. Current collaborative research projects include place-based arts branding, program design in the arts, entrepreneurial arts leadership, and arts access afforded by the nonprofit status.
Jose A. Granados
Jose Granados is a Salvadoran-born community advocate who grew up in Prince George’s County, Maryland. He earned a B.A. with Honors in Spanish Language, Literatures, and Cultures, with a minor in LGBT & Gender Studies, from the University of Maryland, College Park. Jose currently serves as the Next Generation Scholars Program Manager at the Latin American Youth Center/Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers, where he leads an afterschool college access program at High Point High School. Guided by his mantra, “De la comunidad, para la comunidad,” From the community, for the community. Jose is passionate about empowering youth through college readiness, leadership development, and community engagement.
Jane Hirshberg
Jane Hirshberg: In her role as Program Director for Development and Community Engagement at UMD’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Jane Hirshberg is a key member of the programming team and leads all programs in the area of campus and community engagement. She is also the staff lead on annual giving and sponsorship campaigns, and facilitates efforts to secure institutional funding for The Clarice.
Partnerships with community-based organizations for the purpose of integrating art making activities for those organizations’ constituencies is a hallmark of Jane’s work. She has led several large-scale projects that have invited participation by community members on and off campus, addressing such issues as racial healing, immigration and displacement, and others. Jane has served as a panelist for grant reviewing in many parts of the country and enjoys talking and writing in various forums about community building through the arts.
Before coming to UMD, Jane had leadership roles at Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, New England Foundation for the Arts, and The Music Hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She lives in Catonsville, Maryland with her family and numerous pets and does a lot of hiking in the Patapsco Valley State Park.
Hannah Kelly
Hannah Kelly is an MFA Lighting Design student at the University of Maryland. She comes from a background in design, production management, and community engagement. She has experience in house management and tour management, which has allowed her to understand the importance of research and specificity for arts organizations to effectively interact with the community, especially young audiences.