Funemployment 2018 - Week 4 Report

So...here's what's happened since my Week 3 Report.

Job Hunting

Since last week, I had two interviews and I applied for two more jobs.

One is the Digital Communications and Marketing Manager at Step Afrika! I can't even express how excited about I am about pursuing this opportunity. Something I realized is that for my next step (no pun intended), I definitely want to be back "on the ground" so to speak, and an organization provide direct services, rather than at a support organization. And that's all I'm going to say, because I don't want to jinx it.

The other is the Deputy Director for Operations at HumanitiesDC. This is definitely an interesting organization, that is separate from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, which is really more of the former than equal parts former and latter. And my last job definitely felt a bit like a Deputy Director position at times.

Also, I decided to not pursue Beacon House opportunity. I knew with the other opportunities I was considering, I was not comfortable in my ability to be able to balance any future obligations with it, if I got the position. BUT I did say that I wanted to still be involved somehow, either as a donor and/or volunteer. They sent me a volunteer form back, and I've already made a $10 donation and made it monthly. And maybe it's a weird way to approach this job search, but the organizations I'm interested in are doing work I want to support in general. So if the job I was considering isn't it, and there are other ways to plug in, then yeah.

I mean I think it's kinda like meeting someone and going on a date but realizing you want to be friends rather than be in a more intimate relationship. Because the organization isn't the one that has the power in the situation, it is both the organization and the applicant.

Two opportunities I'll be applying for next are a Communications Associate position at Pyramid Atlantic Art Center and a Marketing and Social Media Manager one at Ford's Theatre.

Work from Home

Speaking of work, I hosted a Work from Home session at my place.

It was pretty great. I had two friends come over, one of whom brought cookies. We were able to dig into projects they were making space for. And I even got to help one of them with their website as well as their Mailchimp.

So going to not only host at least one each week until I'm employed again, but I think I'm going to see if I can continue to do so at least every other week when I do have another job.

CreativeMornings/DC

With the theme of Restart, December's speaker was Ari Baser. And as I am wont to do, here is a blurb about from the link:

Ari Beser is a Getty Images contributing photographer, producer and author based in Washington, DC. Since 2011, he has researched the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to publish his book and documentary, ‘The Nuclear Family.’ His aim? To connect stories of both sides of the atomic bombing though a family coincidence. One of his grandfather’s befriended a survivor from Hiroshima after the war, and another grandfather was the only man in the world to fly aboard both atomic bomb carrying planes. The messages of his grandfather and family friend had long been silent by the time Ari graduated college, but his renewed interest became a catalyst for a years long journey around the world that would bring new life to their mission. He has been active in the world of disarmament since and in 2017 helped successfully lobby member states at the United Nations to adopt the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. That same year he and his colleagues in the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons were awarded the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts.

It was a pretty great talk, with some stellar images. And always great to see different ways storytelling manifests itself in various works. If you couldn't make it, the next Creative Mornings/DC is December 19 (a WEDNESDAY) at Studio Theatre. The month's theme is "Tradition" and DC's speaker is Angela Davis. Registration starts at 10:30 on Thursday, December 13!

New Cover and Profile Photos for December

So this is a thing I try to do for personal brand consistency across several digital media platforms: new profile and cover photos. I don't mean to be lazy, but I will just share what I wrote for each one on Facebook.

This is Christopher Breedlove and myself talking about Burners Without Borders (BWB) at Catharsis on the Mall. He is the Program Manager for BWB and has been phenomenal in helping inform the conversation about starting a chapter here in the District, and for that we've got a Burners Without Borders DC Working Group. If you don't know, BWB's origin story and first effort was doing disaster relief on the gulf coast after Katrina. Want to know more about the work globally, definitely check out their page. And if you want to be a part of the discussion and the work in the District, join our group.

Rachel Roa! I don't think I can say enough about how she inspires me. In addition to participating in the Ten Principles Storytelling Project, her life is one of service and FUN. She works at GlobalGiving, is a Trunk member for Catharsis on the Mall, and camps with Lamplighters, literally helping illuminate our paths in Black Rock City and regionals as things get dark. And while that certainly isn't ALL that she does, I think that gives you a good idea. So I wanted to share this photo of us for my profile photo for December.

Regarding Lamplighters, here's a video:

So yeah. That's it for December. Let's see which photos I pick in January!

Sunrise Vinyasa with Kegan

I love Kegan, my partner, SOOO much, I'm willing to wake-up in time to make their 7am Sunrise Vinyasa class at Dragon's Breath Yoga, in Columbia Heights.

Getting into doing yoga regularly as just been on the...not the bucket list, as those are things you want do to just once in life and be done with, so what's the list of things that you want to do and KEEP doing? Well, whatever it's called, yoga has been on THAT list for a while. Not that I had ever done yoga regularly, but in my contemporary/modern dance education/practice/training, many of my teachers and the choreographers I performed with incorporated yogic techniques in their own work, whether on stage or just in company warm-ups.

Oh yeah, also I've been working with Kegan to re-brand their yoga and health navigation practice. And so I'm really excited about that, as re-branding is something that I have a pretty strong interest and passion for. So if YOU have need for some re-branding guidance, definitely let me know.

John Kevin Boggs Memorial Award

Story District's John Kevin Boggs Memorial Award.

John Kevin Boggs was a master storyteller and dear member of the Story District family. The John Kevin Boggs Memorial Award preserves his memory and legacy. Do you know someone who...
* kicks ass on stage and sets an example for other storytellers
* has told a particularly impactful story
* supports other members of the Story District community?

You may recall Story District from last week's blog (formerly known as SpeakeasyDC). So something I didn't share was not only have I told stories on their stage several days, but I was also a board member of 6 years, up until Fall of 2017.

And John Kevin Boggs is the whole reason I discovered them. A powerhouse of an actor and storyteller, as well as a teacher of both, I met him at Capital Fringe one year. He said that there was this organization which did some work I might be interested in, and I was hooked.

He passed away on Friday, March 13, 2015. I remember the day because I was still working at the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and my and a coworker who also knew him stepped away from the office to visit him in the hospice in Virginia he had been spending his final days. We returned to the office only to hear he passed away not even 2 or 3 hours after our visit.

And so I was honored and emotional to be asked to join the committee to review nominations for this award, to be presented at Story District's Top Shelf show in January 2019. Can't wait for the recipient to be announced. In the meantime, check out this story of his.

Kevin Boggs tells true story at Born This Way from Story District on Vimeo.

And you can find 8 more stories of his here on Vimeo.

Coming Up in Funemployment Week 5

So those are the highlights from week 4. Here's some of what's coming up in Week 5:

• Creative Moco Grants Committee Meeting
• Step Afrika! Holiday Party
• Any Given Child DC Steering Committee Meeting
• Naughty Snowball Site Visit
• Burners B' Lunchin'
• Work From Home - First Friday Edition
• Barkada Xmas Party
• Catch Up with Tara

And a reminder that I've started a personal email list, to get news and updates from me right in your email inbox!

So please sign-up

Until next time,

Nexus aka JR

Funemployment 2018 - Week 1 Report

So I remember trying this the last time I was funemployed 3 years ago, but it didn't last past the first day.

We'll see if a weekly format might work better. As many of you who know me now know, I was terminated from my job a week ago today. It was definitely a shock to me as I'd been there for 3 years, and there'd been no prior incidences, no warnings, no period for corrective action.

But life goes on, and I had no time to wallow. So here's a bit of what I've been up to.

I Called for Backup

When I left the office for the last time, I reached out and my loving partner, who was on their way home to Alexandria, turned around and met me at what was part of my daily route from the bus stop to the office: Buttercreme.

This helped process what was a mostly irrational and surprising morning. From there:

Election Day and my ANC Write-In Campaign

Given that it was Election Day, I went straight home and straight to the polls. There was a bit of a line but not too long of a wait. And while I was in the polling place, my partner was helping my write-in campaign for the ANC 5E01 Commissioner seat by flyering outside. See, our present Commissioner, Ed, was not running for re-election and the ballot was blank.

Greater Greater Washington had a great piece identifying all the empty ANC ballots, encouraging write-in candidates to submit their questionnaire to be considered for endorsement the week before election...and so I did, as well as Nick Cheolas.

And although Nick is one of the write-in candidates who received their endorsement for our race, they still had some pretty nice things to say about me:

Cheolas looks really strong on a lot of our issues. So, too, does Nathaniel Russ, Jr., who also completed our questionnaire and is vying for write-in votes in 5E01. Russ is a strong pedestrian safety advocate, and writes that “roads and vehicles are most valuable when they serve their primary function, that of moving people in between places.” This leads to his support of additional bus and bike infrastructure. 

Russ also discusses a bunch of interesting ideas when it comes to youth empowerment and job creation in his questionnaire. Ultimately, while both candidates here are good, we think Cheolas most clearly will lead the way on urbanist issues, thus he won our endorsement.

So I made sure to tell my friends, including my former neighbors in the Brookland Artspace Lofts. Something that was really interesting about our race, out of the roughly 20 write-in only campaigns, when I checked the DC Board of Elections site for results, our ANC 5E01 race received 299 write-ins. The next closest was 168, and the median was about 103, with some races receiving single digits numbers for write-ins, and one even 0. Which means, that our ANC had the highest participation rate in terms of individual voters. And however the race goes, that's pretty awesome.

Thank You For Being a Friend

So in the past week, I've reached out to about a dozen friends and colleagues. I'm using this Funemployment period to catch up and check in with people whom I've worked with in the past or would like to do some good with in the future. I've already talked to five of them in person or over the phone, and I have about five more on the calendar within the next week.

Reconnecting this inentionally has been a great way to recruit the emotional support I candidly need during this time, as well as some opportunities to course correct in terms of what to do for work, for good, and/or for fun. One conversation I had, with advice that really stuck with me, was to simply create my ideal job description(s) and work towards that, even pitching it to organizations whose work I care for and mission I am passionate about who may not have a position like it yet.

I was also stoked to wrap up a week of these with a phenomenal conversation about Woolly Mammoth's Ambassador program, finding out more about it and what they expect participants to bring to the table.

Job Hunting

Speaking of Woolly Mammoth, one of the several job openings they currently have is particularly exciting for me: Civic Organizer. The job description practically matches what I'd steered my previous job to allowing me to do more of, and even before I saw this opportunity, I had in mind to do more of it in general. Also, I think it's no secret that Woolly Mammoth is my favorite theatre in DC.

One of the other jobs that I came across and submitted my application for is at the National LGBTQ Task Force. They are looking for a Communications Manager. And this position equally excites me but in completely different ways. As oposed to hyper-local, there is an appeal in expanding my advocacy work to the national level. And as a member of the LGBTQ community, the work would obviously be very personal. So, we'll see.

Two other places I'm looking at and plan on submitting this week are for a Project Manager position at Wired Impact and a Community Programs Manager at Arena Stage. And I know what some of you may be thinking, so before you comment, let me just stop you. Someone once said not to post and share opportunities that I'm applying for, implying that I don't want to mess up my chance and have someone else get it. Here's the thing: it's about the work, not me. I mean, yes, if I can get the work that's great. But if someone is more qualified, then they should get it. And it might be a bit of ego or pride thing, but if I'm not that person, I'd rather have it go to someone I know and am connected to than someone I don't.

Termination Homework

Speaking of work, I've definitely had my work cut out for me, in terms of my termination, and making sure that either my old employer did everything legally or that they be held accountable if not. That's meant, in addition to talking to colleagues and friends, checking:

• How to Start my Unemployment Process through DOES and
• Any possible courses of action through OHR

Mischief DC

If it seems like FUNemployment has me just as busy as employment did, it's because I have even more time to work hard and play hard! In case you didn't know, I'm on the Board of Mischief DC and we have an annual Burner holiday party coming up on December 15.

Naughty Snowball

I'm stoked because this will be the second year, this event will be at the DC Eagle. And we thought we'd keep our theme simple for our tenth year, so it's just Naughty Snowball: Rated X'mas. Get it, the roman numeral for ten is- nevermind. You get it.

Planning Call

We had a planning call. I thought I'd have more to say about this, but I don't.

Conduct and Consent Corps (C3)

I did reach out to recruit people for this C3 Project. It's an effort that we haven't done intentionally before, to put systems and protocols in place for participants at our party to feel safe in a consent-orientated environment, and to feel support by clearly identifiable folx should misconduct occur. But I also know it's a heavy lift for people to make that kind of space for the unpredictable. So, I'll keep you updated with how that's going. If you'ed like to know more and/or be involved, definitely email me at nexus@dcburners.org.

Caturday

In addition to our biggest DC event next month, we also had our bi-monthly party, the same night as the weekend of Catharsis. This was a choice the board made and we knew it would be a gamble. Last year we decided we wouldn't throw it, but this year we took a chance. We even unofficially ran it by some Catharsis organizers who thought it was a good idea, especially if it got cold like it normally does, and some people need a place to warm-up but don't want to go home.

I don't think we anticipated just HOW cold it would be. And although we heard of people who intended to come to Zeba Bar from Catharsis, many of them stopped by home for various reasons and ended up not making it out again for the night. And apparently, it wasn't just us. But I always believe the people who show up are the people who shoe up, and it's about each attendee's quality of experience that make it worthwhile, not just the quantity of attendees. And we had about 20 people.

I won't lie, part of me wanted to know the things I couldn't know, in terms of whether it was because of Catharsis or not. But then at home the next day, a housemate of mine told me how empty Flash was, and that there were only about 20 people on the dance floor there. Not that it made me feel better. But it made me wonder, with Catharsis moving to May, if the cold would still be a factor for next November's attendance.

Burning Man DC Regional Contact Phone Interview

Speaking of Burning Man, so on Thursday another round of the Regional Contact selection process took place. If you're not familiar with the position, Regional Contacts help democratize and organize Burning Man's Regional Network around the globe. It was a great talk with a former RC from another region, someone who could be a bit of an objective party in the selection process.

It was a pretty dense conversation, so I'll just highlight the part where we discussed what I'd like to do more of and bring to the table. One big one was the idea of term limits, which really is at the crux of recruitment and transition. Our city iterates itself every year; surely we can use that as an inspiration to iterate not just the systems and structures of leadership but those in leadership positions themselves. Another was being thoughtful about community beyond the party, from civic engagement to simply all ages activities for our Burner families. And then there's the inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility peace.

Anyway, looking forward to whatever next or final steps are for this selection process.

Catharsis on the Mall

It was the senior year for this very singular and unique Burner event in the District. And the theme for Catharsis on the Mall 2018 was "Waking from the American Dream. There was so much going on, and I had committed myself to three different events.

Welcome Home

So even though I was no longer with my former employer, the work to end Youth Homelessness here in the District is more than the work of the organization. And I was happy to plug people into the plan to end youth homelessness by 2022, as I discussed various elements and strategies of the plan, Solid Foundations DC.

Center Camp at Burning MAn

STORY workshop

Although I've done storytelling workshops before, this was the first time I had done it with the new title: Sharing Truth, Openly Revealing You. I had a couple of participants, and we actually turned it into a walking workshop, as many of the structures that had been set up for Catharsis had been blown down and over Saturday morning.

Burners Without Borders (BWB) Meetup and Info Session

And I was thrilled to co-facilitate a Burners Without Borders session with Christopher Breedlove, introducing people to the group, its history, and its mission, as well as the discussion to start a BWB Chapter, here in the District. In fact, if you're interested and are on Facebook, there is a BWB DC Working Group just for this purpose.

Coming Up in Funemployment Week 2

That's it for now. Here's a preview of what's coming up next:

• More catching up with friends and colleagues
• A Dance Place Board Meeting
• A Broadway Singalong at Local 16, literally a Burner adjacent event on Thursday
• Seeing the closing performance of Constellation Theatre's Aida

So that's that. Oh yeah, actually, one final thing.

In an effort to more effectively and intentionally keep folx informed of what I'm up to, not just during Funenmployment, I thought I'd start my own personal Mailchimp Email List. Select the things you're interested in, and know that even if there might be a variety of content, you will ONLY receive emails that have at least one thing related to a topic you selected, if not more.

So please sign-up

And keep an eye out for my Week 2 Report next week!

- JR aka Nexus

Council dates for artists and arts advocates in the District

DC Arts & Artist Advocates!

Save the dates for the following hearings at The Council of the District of Columbia. And please share.

Committee on Finance & Revenue - Chairperson Jack Evans

*To testify contact: Sarina Loy, sloy@dccouncil.us or 202-724-8058

DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Performance Oversight: Thurs, Feb 16, at 10 am in Room 500
Budget Hearing: Wed, Apr 26, at 10 am in Room 500

And with development of the Cultural Plan that is being led by the DC Office of Planning:

Committee of the Whole - Chairman Phil Mendelson

*To testify: email cow@dccouncil.us or call 202-724-8196

DC Office of Planning
Performance Oversight: Mon, Mar 6, at 10 am in Room 500
Budget Hearing: Mon, Apr 10, at 10 am in Room 412

Finally:

Committee on Business & Economic Development - Chairperson Kenyan R. McDuffie

*To testify contact: Demetris Cheatham at dcheatham@dccouncil.us or 202-297-0152.

DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music & Entertainment
Performance Oversight: Wed, Feb 22, at 10 am in Room 500
Budget Hearing: Wed, May 3, at 10 am in Room 120

For the rest of the performance oversight and budget schedule.

My statement at DCCAH's May Commissioner meeting

This week, I signed up to make a statement during the public comment portion of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities monthly commissioner meeting. The public comment period is a 30 minute slot for up to ten individuals or groups to have several minutes and speak directly to commissioners, on behalf of associations, organizations, or simply themselves.

While it is not a dialogue, it is an opportunity to literally have a voice at the table, and have your comments captured in the official and public minutes. Normally time is limited to 3 minutes but because of the low number of people who had signed up to testify, so to speak, I was allowed up to five.

Not one to want to waste time, either the Comissioners or mine, I wrote out and practiced my comments, regularly clocking in at about four minutes and twenty seconds. And so I wanted to share them:

Hello. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is JR Russ. I worked here at the Commission first as a Grants and Legislative Affairs Assistant; then as a Grants Co-manager for the Artist Fellowship Program, with Regan Spurlock; and finally as the Online Marketing Manager, working with Jeffrey Scott and Teresa Boersma, up until last summer. And while I would love to be back working with Mr. Scott and Ms. Boersma or most anyone else here, it is nonetheless a treat to be back not as staff, but simply a DC artist, resident, and native. I actually grew up at 605 G St SW, where my parents still live, just about 8 blocks to the west. 

Whether you knew me before today or not, I thought I’d just share a bit about myself first before getting to my request. Born and raised in DC, my first artistic endeavor was as a professional boy soprano, singing at the Washington National Cathedral. My pinnacle experience there was singing at Justice Thurgood Marshall’s funeral, back in 1993. 

I went on to become involved in theatre in high school where I was president of the Drama Club, and ended up going to the University of Maryland College Park, as a dance major. After graduating I would go on to work on and off stage at various dance and theatre organizations in the metropolitan area, from teaching at City Dance to managing a Discovery Theater tour, from being a part of the Atlas Performing Arts Center’s opening season performing in the Washington Savoyards’ Kiss Me, Kate, to dancing in Bodies in Urban Spaces a site-specific public art dance that would lead audience members throughout Chinatown to end up at the Harman Center for the inaugural VelocityDC Festival. 

And as I seemed to get pulled into more of the admin work as well, I ended up pursuing my M.A. in Arts Management from American University, where my thesis was on how working performers in the DC area defined arts advocacy and community. Since then, I’ve explored my own artistic voice and vision, having produced shows at five of the last six Capital Fringe festivals, with another show on the way this summer where I’ve committed to providing ASL interpreters for three of the six performances. And I endeavor to find other ways to be an active & engaged participant in our local community, from serving as a member of the steering committee for the Emerging Arts Leaders DC to being the first one to move into the Brookland Artspace Lofts five years ago. 

Current affiliations include being an artistic collaborator with dog & pony dc, a board member of Story District 5 years going on 6, as well as one of Dance Place’s newest board recruits. Oh yeah: and Burning Man. Upcoming projects other than Fringe include being a judge for Capturing Fire’s Queer Cookie Slam, facilitating an arts advocacy session at Now Next Dance’s First Leadership Symposium at the Dance Loft on 14, and being in Synetic Theater’s remount of Twelfth Night this summer. 

My current day job is actually my first non-arts job in ten years: I’m the Communications and Development Manager at the DC Alliance of Youth Advocates. An organization that’s been around for over ten years, we have about 150 member organizations, many of which are arts organizations or community-based organizations with arts programs for youth. 

But the takeaway for me there has been learning what I can from an organization that is VERY effective with its youth advocacy, and seeing what I can bring back to arts advocacy in DC. Being here, talking to you, is just a part of that. And I hope, in sharing my own work before, outside of, & after my time at the Commission, you understand both the breadth & depth of my experience with, passion for & dedication to our arts community. 

And so the main reason, my main request, for coming here today has to do with the current strategic plan. Since it’s been posted on the website last September, I noted it’s only been mentioned five times at Commission meetings, according to the minutes. And while this is certainly understandable, as there’s been a good bit of transition since it was posted, if possible I would ask for the following, which you might already be planning to do anyway. 

There are a lot of great priorities and strategies in the strategic plan. It would be wonderful if, at one year in, the Commission could share some kind of status report regarding what’s been accomplished. It certainly doesn’t have to be comprehensive and practically can’t be. But at the very least, I’d  say an update on all the strategies identified as priority one would be ideal. Anything less would be questionable. 

Your strategic plan’s theme is “leadership beyond grantmaking”. And you have a great roadmap in your strategic plan for “communications beyond programming”. Because I’m not asking you to just share an update with me, but to do so proactively and publicly. 

In sharing the plan within even just my own networks, there’s been a lot of positive feedback to the strategies outlined, but cautious concern about actual implementation or execution. The negative optics and perception (real or imagined) of if just sitting on a shelf for the next five years could be easily counteracted by simply keeping the community updated as progress is made. Thank you for considering this. And thank you for your time.

That's it. Not an unreasonable ask, I thought. And Chair Kay Kendall actually reassured me that even before my statement, it was her intent to make sure that the strategic plan was also being used and not just collecting dust. In fact, she was already planning to regroup with her leadership soon, also reasonable in terms of not having happened sooner, as DC Council budget hearings, which just ended earlier this month, do take up a lot of bandwith for any city agency.

And so I wanted to share not just so you could see what I read to Commissioners, but to hopefully give an idea of what one could share themselves.

I would urge strongly not to use this opportunity as a grievance session to blame, accuse, or guilt Commissioners regarding often times perceived but false inequities. Which isn't to say that there aren't inequities which affect some arts organizations and the communities they serve, but the grant application and review process is not one of them.

For a couple of examples of what I would recommend NOT doing, you can check out the Commission meeting minutes from October 22, 2015. I can provide a further breakdown of some of the specifc reasons why. And not that you can't speak about your own work either individually or with your organization, but ultimately the Commissioners can only take whatever you have to say within the context of the larger DC arts community as well as the bigger picture of the work and programs of the Commission. There's very little they can do "fix" whatever you think the problem is with your particular situation.

And here are a couple of final suggestions. When sharing challenges provide systemic solutions, not ones specific to your own individual situation. And when possible share gratitude for the things that do work well, in terms of the work the Commission does to support the DC arts community through its programs.

Because having been on the other side of the table, it's often a thankless job for Commissioners and staff, with the squeeky wheels in the community often being the loudest.

What's in DCCAH's Strategic Plan for DC Artists?

Just wanted to pull out the explicitly artist related content, versus arts organization material which has more of an indirect effect on artists, from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Strategic Plan, preceded by some of the introductory copy to help put the artist content in context. This strategic plan was updated and published September 12, 2015 (just about 8 months ago), presumably to begin implementation in FY2016 that following October.

For the bulleted strategies, the number in parentheses is indicates the priority of the strategy, from 1 to 4.  Brackets contain how many total sub-strategies are identified in the actual document. The following is directly extracted from the strategic plan:

---

In 2014, Cultural Planning Group was engaged by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities to assist with the development of its new strategic plan.

Over a period of one year, Cultural Planning Group led an inclusive process to receive input from stakeholders and the public at large, conducted a comprehensive review of agency practices, and researched best practices from model agencies elsewhere in the United States.

The Plan: Strategies 

1. GRANT MAKING
2. ARTS EDUCATION
3. BUILDING COMMUNITY
4. POLICY LEADERSHIP
5. EQUITY AND ACCESS
6. PUBLIC ART

Key Findings

Stakeholders provided remarkably consistent messages to the Commission. They believe that the Commission is filling an essential role, and doing an effective job, as a grantmaker. They also consider it time for the Commission to expand its leadership role as an advocate for cultural development in the District. Stakeholders strongly support and urge Commission to take on a larger, visionary and more proactive leadership role. They describe an arts and culture sector that is large, creatively vital and often overlooked. The field is also beleaguered by the forces of gentrification, increasing social and economic disparity, and the stresses of sustaining a nonprofit organization or an artistic career. These challenges underscore the need for redefining leadership for the agency. It is based on widespread acknowledgment of the leadership platform the Commission possesses. This approach was affirmed in a subsequent Town Hall discussion with stakeholders to share draft strategies.

Where should the Commission direct its leadership? It can leverage partnerships inside and outside District government more strongly with an intentional and transparent strategy to accomplish objectives of recognized value to the community. Objectives include addressing a range of needs for 

affordable spaces repeatedly identified in this and other plans. Also, addressing systemic change in K-12 arts education, promoting artists’ entrepreneurial activity, and serving under-served populations in neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River and elsewhere in the District.

Mission and Vision Statements

The Commission’s mission and vision statements were reviewed and revisions

developed that reflect the concepts of this plan.

Our mission is to serve and advance the diverse cultural interests of the residents and workers of the District of Columbia. We believe in the power of the arts, humanities andthe entire creative sector of the economy to enliven and strengthen our communities. We focus our efforts on the nonprofits arts community, individual artists and creativeentrepreneurs, the humanities field, and decision-makers. We provide support through funding, programs that address gaps, and educational opportunities and we provide leadership through policy, innovation initiatives, knowledge and connections.

Vision Statement

The Commission enhances the quality of life and economic well being of DC residents by nurturing DC’s artists and cultural institutions and by fostering the conditions where creative enterprises can prosper.

1. GRANT MAKING

Invest in Excellence and Access to strengthen DC’s creative sector of nonprofits, individual artists and creative businesses.

At the core of the Commission’s work is is grant programs and focus on supporting the vibrant artists and cultural sector in the District of Columbia as part of its unique and thriving creative economy. Encompassed in that sector are the non-profit organizations in arts and humanities who are the primary producers, presenters and suppliers of programs and activities. The numerous grantmaking programs and initiatives account for nearly two thirds of the agency budget and reach into and across all eight wards of the District. Hundreds of nonprofit arts and humanities organizations, individual artists, partner organizations and project partners are recipients of Commission grant funds.

This section of the plan expands those traditional constituencies to include other participants in the broader creative economy. In particular are strategies that build on the District government’s creative economy plans and additional ways in which the Commission can invest to support creative activity. The Commission can play a critical role in marshaling the resources needed to address the question of artist space needs, leveraging relationships inside and outside District government. 

The Commission also intends to provide professional development services. With a focus on artists as small businesses, operating to generate a profit from their creative activities, the Commission can provide artists with registration and forms for DCRA and provide workshops on marketing and writing an artistic statement.

Grant programs will continue to be refined to respond effectively to specific issues in the changing arts and humanities sector. In FY 2015 there are 10 distinct grant programs, ranging from general operating support, to arts education, to artist fellowships and a focus East of the River.

Creative Sector Strategies

• Grantmaking [4 total strategies]
• (1) Ensure greater cultural diversity among artists who serve on grant panels.
• Supporting Artists [3 total strategies]
• (2) Create an ongoing program of artists’ engagement in District government, involved as on-call artists to provide design advice for all departments, including general services, public works and transportation.
• (1) Actively recruit professional artists to apply for service on City boards, commissions and other policy-making bodies.
• (2) Invest in professional practices training and workshops that help artists in creative development and professional development. This may be through programs developed directly by DCCAH or through augmenting existing programs by providing resources to partners and programs focused on professional development for artists.
• Creative Economy [3 total strategies]
• (1) Revisit and reassess the recommendations of Creative Capital: The Creative DC Action Agenda and the Creative Economy Strategy Plan to identify specific priorities for action, such as meeting the space needs of artists, providing entrepreneurial training and networking for artists, and providing financial support for entrepreneurial projects.
• (3) Partner with the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs to streamline the permitting process for artists and creative businesses.

[The following don't have artist specific strategies]

• Community Wide Arts Marketing [ 1 strategy]
• Humanities [1 strategy]
• Partnerships [ 2 strategies]

2. ARTS EDUCATION

Promote Systemic Improvement in pre-K – 12 Arts Education

[4 strategies]

3. BUILDING COMMUNITY

Facilitate creative placemaking to address the space needs of the creative sector.

It is important to distinguish placemaking and community development from economic development. Economic development focuses on the standard of living, financial returns and job growth. Community development is more inclusive, centered on place: city and neighborhood. Similarly, the goal of creative placemaking is improving the vibrancy of place, as a means of improving quality of life. The arts can play an essential role in this broader community development agenda. They can promote inclusiveness and a sense of belonging. They can bring diverse peoples together. They can add vibrancy and a sense of specialness to a neighborhood.

The District has a number of tools and resources it can utilize to support creative placemaking. The District has access to a number of vacant and  underutilized buildings, including schools that are no longer needed. The District has funding to support capital improvements. The District is in a position to negotiate with private developers to include the amenities that will support placemaking, including such elements as affordable artist/creatives live-work spaces. It has the potential to provide financial and other incentives to make these things happen, particularly if the various District departments combine their resources. The Commission already has a program to provide cultural facility grants of up to $100,000. These grants could be used to provide matching dollars for nonprofit capital campaigns related to creative placemaking (arts facilities, arts elements of public spaces), as well as to incentivize for-profit developments with support for arts and cultural uses.

Placemaking Strategies [ 7 total strategies]

• (1) Set a goal to construct up to 1,000 live-work spaces for artists and other creative professionals within the next five years, working with the Housing Trust Fund, nonprofit developers such as Artspace, Inc., and with private developers and utilizing such facilities as surplus schools.
• (4) Develop a clearinghouse of affordable living and working spaces for artists in the District, including maintaining an inventory of vacant City-owned facilities that might be converted to artist spaces (studio, performance, workshop, rehearsal) on a temporary or permanent basis.
• (4) Explore the potential for creation of artist co-working and maker spaces, similar to the co-working spaces that have been established for tech start-ups.
• (3) Conduct a comprehensive review of City zoning and permitting regulations to eliminate regulatory barriers to live-work, home studios, home studio sales and other artmaking activities.
• (2) Identify opportunities for arts assets in private development projects, especially in underserved neighborhoods, providing a creative center of gravity for the neighborhood. 
• (1) Consider a program of “creative pop-up spaces,” dedicating a vacant land and buildings for the purpose of facilitating and funding artists and cultural groups to activate the spaces on a temporary basis.

4. POLICY LEADERSHIP

Provide cultural policy leadership.

Creation of a “policy shop” within the Commission, with a broader mandate, could establish the agency’s leadership in activating the full resources of the District government and selected partner entities to address critical issues pertaining to arts and cultural development in the District. On an annual basis, the Commission could identify one or more critical issues to which it turns its attention. Convening of stakeholders would assist in defining the issues, followed by facilitating action by District departments and partner agencies.

Several of the issues that have emerged would be appropriate initial areas for exploration:

• Artist space issues and the cost of real estate
• Creative placemaking and neighborhood revitalization
• Equity in the distribution of funding and resources
• Development of creative economy initiatives

[I decided to not include the two strategies identified because of their indirect impact on artists, in the holistic nature of the positions and their responsibilities, but thought it worth including the summary of the strategy nonetheless.]

5. EQUITY AND ACCESS

Foster greater equity and access

It is important to note that the creative industries often provide a means for artists from outside the mainstream to develop a career and to “assure their own equity” outside the nonprofit model. Hip hop and guerrilla artists are among many artists who often pursue their work in the commercial pop culture market, perhaps within a freelance career that includes work with community organizations and schools. The implication for the Commission is that by facilitating artists’ creative economy initiatives, it can foster equity simply by  enabling the entrepreneurial activities of diverse artists.

Equity and Access Strategies [ 3 total strategies]

• (3) Identify creative economy initiatives that support the entrepreneurial activities of diverse artists, such as an incubator in Ward 7 or 8 that could include a recording studio, business training for artists, youth programming/mentoring, etc.

6. PUBLIC ART

[1 strategy]

---

That's the extent of the extracted text.

Let’s recap. Here are the individual strategies in order of priority:

Priority 1

• Actively recruit professional artists to apply for service on City boards, commissions and other policy-making bodies.
• Consider a program of “creative pop-up spaces,” dedicating a vacant land and buildings for the purpose of facilitating and funding artists and cultural groups to activate the spaces on a temporary basis.
• Ensure greater cultural diversity among artists who serve on grant panels.
• Revisit and reassess the recommendations of Creative Capital: The Creative DC Action Agenda and the Creative Economy Strategy Plan to identify specific priorities for action, such as meeting the space needs of artists, providing entrepreneurial training and networking for artists, and providing financial support for entrepreneurial projects.
• Set a goal to construct up to 1,000 live-work spaces for artists and other creative professionals within the next five years, working with the Housing Trust Fund, nonprofit developers such as Artspace, Inc., and with private developers and utilizing such facilities as surplus schools.

Priority 2

• Create an ongoing program of artists’ engagement in District government, involved as on-call artists to provide design advice for all departments, including general services, public works and transportation.
• Identify opportunities for arts assets in private development projects, especially in underserved neighborhoods, providing a creative center of gravity for the neighborhood. 
• Invest in professional practices training and workshops that help artists in creative development and professional development. This may be through programs developed directly by DCCAH or through augmenting existing programs by providing resources to partners and programs focused on professional development for artists.

Priority 3

• Conduct a comprehensive review of City zoning and permitting regulations to eliminate regulatory barriers to live-work, home studios, home studio sales and other artmaking activities.
• Identify creative economy initiatives that support the entrepreneurial activities of diverse artists, such as an incubator in Ward 7 or 8 that could include a recording studio, business training for artists, youth programming/mentoring, etc.
• Partner with the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs to streamline the permitting process for artists and creative businesses.

Priority 4

• Develop a clearinghouse of affordable living and working spaces for artists in the District, including maintaining an inventory of vacant City-owned facilities that might be converted to artist spaces (studio, performance, workshop, rehearsal) on a temporary or permanent basis.
• Explore the potential for creation of artist co-working and maker spaces, similar to the co-working spaces that have been established for tech start-ups.

That's it for now. Would love to hear what your questions, thoughts, suggestions, etc., so please leave a comment.

- JR

My November agenda, so far

Hey there,

While I'm trying to wrap my head around what's going on this month, I thought it might be a good opportunity to share. So here it goes:

Thursday, November 5

Kleen City: Sunrise Yoga, Wellness, Art & Dance Party at Penn Social

Join Us Thursday, November 5th, 6am to 10am. We are beyond excited for our new location at the cavernous Penn Social in Chinatown/Penn Quarter. This is going to be an event of epic proportions so don't miss out on the coolest event in DC!

Get your tickets on Eventbrite.

Naughty Snowball tickets go on sale at 7pm!!

It is a time of holiday Mischief. Striking from Santa's secret North Pole Base, Rebel Toys have descended upon Washington, DC on a mission of mayhem and merrrymaking. Set blasters to full and celebrate with us at the Rock and Roll Hotel in Washington DC.

More information on Facebook.

Kostume Karaoke: Fall Back for What, begins around 8pm

Come out and celebrate the end of tyranny from over the weekend, aka Daylight Savings Time, with your KJ for the night, me!! Sing and rejoice with all your heart, and forget about that dreaded day we have to Spring forward. Fire up that mic, another round of songs, Fall back for what!!

More information on Facebook.

Tuesday, November 10

If I Were You: Stories about giving and taking advice

Story District's Our monthly storytelling series -- their first program -- has been taking place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month in Washington, DC since 1997. Over the years, they've added tons of other shows and events, but their monthly show remains Story District's backbone. Tonight's show, like all of their shows, will feature a mix of eight to ten first-timer storytellers and regulars, who will take the stage to share their twist on the night's theme.

Disclaimer: I am a Story District Board Member. More infromation on Facebook.

Thursday, November 12

Avenue Q with Constellation Theatre Company

Avenue Q is a laugh-out loud musical that tells the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who arrives in New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. He moves into a shabby apartment all the way out on Avenue Q, a neighborhood full of mischievous and raunchy puppets, as well as other colorful characters.

More information on their website.

Monday, November 16

TedxMidAtalantic Salaon: Everyone Values Equity

Imagine a future free of gender roles and stereotypes, where anatomy doesn’t influence one’s destiny and women can make career, family and personal decisions without societal pressure, stigma or discrimination. In this future, we understand that equality is not about bolstering a gender or group into a position of privilege, but instead about liberating both women and men, by eliminating gender norms, fixed roles and the judgment that comes with living outside these societal constructs.

More information on their website.

Friday, November 20 to Sunday, November 22

Catharsis on the Mall: A Vigil for Healing the Drug War

On Friday, November 20, 2015 at 6pm on the NW-side of the Washington Monument, a vigil for healing the chasms and scars of the drug war will begin. We invite you to join us for a multi-day Vigil on the National Mall. This Vigil will offer space for community building, information sharing, art, music, healing, and celebration. An art installation, The Temple of Essence, will stand as a monument to honor the victims of the drug war. It is a peace-building structure focused on the communities impacted by this conflict and the mass incarceration of our citizens. This Temple will bring people together and create a space for reflection and healing.

More information on Facebook.

That's it for now. But it's just the beginning of the month. Who knows, I might do a mid-month update, as other things pop-up and/or are confirmed.

Hope to see folks out at any of these happenings!!

JR

Grantmaker resources, working in the DC arts scene

Hey there,

Just a quick share about three resources for grantmakers which we take advantage of, at the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities:

Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers:

• "The Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers is a membership association composed of grantmakers in the Greater Washington region - Northern Virginia, suburban Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Our members represent a vibrant cross-section of philanthropy, including family, community, corporate, and independent foundations, as well as corporate giving programs, governmental grantmakers, grantmaking public charities, and individual philanthropists. We provide a variety of services to our members to facilitate more effective, strategic, and efficient grantmaking, thereby making the Greater Washington region a better place to live and work."

Grantmakers in the Arts

• "The mission of Grantmakers in the Arts (GIA) is to provide leadership and service to advance the use of philanthropic resources on behalf of arts and culture. GIA is the only national association of private and public funders making grants to artists and arts organizations in America. GIA’s strength is in its diversity of members: private, family, community and corporate foundations, national, state and local governmental agencies, nonprofit national, regional and local service organizations. What they all have in common is a belief that America is a better place to live and our communities are stronger when the creativity of artists is prevalent in all aspects of society."

Grantmakers for Effective Organizations

• "For more than 15 years the GEO community has advanced smarter grantmaking practices that enable nonprofits to grow stronger and more effective. As a result, GEO members consistently outpace other funders in terms of making productive changes to help nonprofits achieve more — such as providing support for grantee capacity building, engaging external voices in decision-making, giving multiyear grants, forming strategic partnerships and funding collaboration among grantees."

Just thought I'd share, for any other grantmakers out there, hopefully you'll find at least one of these useful, if you're not already a member.

And as new members to the latter two, I'm looking forward to taking advantage of their programs and learning more.

Any other similar organizations you'd recommend? Please share in the comments!!

JR

Busboys and Poets: A DC Institution

Hey there,

So...Busboys and Poets (B&P). While the title of my post says it all...I'm a bit stumped as I sit here, at the 5th & K location, trying to further elaborate.

And I stated the whole "DC Institution" thing as someone who was born and raised IN Washington, DC.  So while I wouldn't necessarily call myself an authority, I'd like to think that a lifetime perspective (of almost 33 years, as of the time of this post) adds a bit of context that is unique in what is perceived by many as a transitory city.

But I digress. I guess a good place to start might be B&P's 'tribal statement' (from their About page):

Busboys and Poets is a community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted...a place to take a deliberate pause and feed your mind, body and soul...a space for art, culture and politics to intentionally collide...we believe that by creating such a space we can inspire social change and begin to transform our community and the world.

A bit of a disclaimer...having been recently exposed to and involved in the Burning Man community and its Ten Principles (which I'm producing a Capital Fringe show about this summer, more details to come later), this tribal statement resonates with me on a number of levels.

Another good place to start might be their Art page.

Personally, one of my favorite memories here, which I would say is a great example of the intersection which B&P provides on multiple levels, was an event co-presented by then Social Media Club DC (now Digital District) and TheatreWashington: #DCArtsUp. You can read about it in a great wrap-up written by one of the organizers, Jason McCool.

So Culture? Check. Community? Check. Cuisine? DEFINITELY Check! My personal favorite dish is the Rustic Pizza.

And as I'm writing this blog, I am waiting for An Evening of Inspirational Music at 7:30pm, with SongRise, an all women social justice a cappella group.

Because if that doesn't say DC, I don't know what does. And if you're on Twitter, yes that is their profile/header picture, and you should absolutely follow them and/or subscribe to their events email list.

Sign up here for info on our upcoming performances: http://t.co/tXSV0fy4lv
— SongRise DC (@SongRiseDC) February 14, 2014

And speaking of community, life imitating a blog imitating life, I just ran into a fellow DC thespian, Connor Hogan, who is in the middle of rehearsals as director a production of "As You Like It" with Half Mad Theatre, playing at the Shop at Fort Fringe in March.

So it's almost 7pm, and several friends are about to arrive. On that note (no pun intended with tonight's event), I believe I'll wrap up this blog post. One thing I'm not saying is that this intersection or model is necessarily unique to Busboys and Poets as an institution, either in the area, around the country, or the world. But I would say that it is one of the best ways that this model has manifested itself in DC and become a nexus of sorts for the area's multitude of communities.

That being said, any thoughts about Busboys and Poets, for better or for worse, let me know in the comments. Especially your thoughts regarding B&P as a 'DC' institution.

JR aka Nexus

"Bondage" #ThroughGlass

Hey there,

First off, this might not be what you think!!  I do want to thank +Pinky Swear Productions for being part of a WONDERFUL Production.

And it's the first time I got to check out exactly how I would use Google Glass as a performer in a show.  That show was Bondage, and here's what had happened.

I documented the last night before the first show.

Post by JR Nexus Russ.

I used it to take viewers on a trip entering the space.

I introduced my partner in crime, French Maid Boy, in 140 characters or less.

Just shared a photo #throughglass pic.twitter.com/xwgrIAe3FV
— JR Russ (@AWayofLife0) November 7, 2013

Here's a video of Jon Jon, gettin' his hair ready

And here is a peak into the "Peep Show" room.

backstage for bondage #throughglass pic.twitter.com/gDcKGkzQz0
— JR Russ (@AWayofLife0) November 7, 2013

Here I am getting into costume.

After a wonderful week 1, I shared the beginning of week 2 of performances.

And then before we knew it, week 3.

And then the next to last show!!

I decided to record part of a conversation about a guy who kicked my cage.

And on the final night, for fun, thought we'd show what happened to audience members who took photos or videos of the "Observation Session".

And after our last Parlour trick, some final thoughts from +Jon Jon Johnson

Definitely resorted to more vlogging via G+ towards the end. But still, got a chance to play with Glass as a means to share the process and some of the behind the scenes stuff.

Again, very grateful to the Pinky Swear Productions family, and curious to see what you think, especially other theatre professionals, bloggers, those who walk in both worlds, and folks who just enjoy seeing theatre in general. So leave a comment,

JR