My Services
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Do You Need |
My Experience |
Program
Development |
...People to be informed, motivated, trained,
connected, or entertained?
I can plan, develop, and execute new sustainable programs
that generate revenue, build loyalty and create buzz.
I can do this for business and nonprofit clients. |
- I designed a two-day immersive learning experience
for the CEO and his 30 direct reports at the Gettysburg
National Battlefield that was mapped to the strategic
objectives of the company. It
was dramatic, memorable and extremely effective.
- I was one of the early hires at OurHouse.com, an
e-commerce site for home improvement affiliated with
Ace Hardware. I created innovative brand and customer
experiences to increase viewer stickiness and repeat
business. Details.
- I was the lead community organizer for the Chicago
Park District effort that transformed Douglas Park
into a community cultural center.
It was a two-year effort...
- I created a robust and innovative community arts
program for Peoples Housing that blended the arts,
education, training and micro-enterprise. Get
the story.
- I created a program of science fiction film screenings
for the Hayden Planetarium that was hosted by editor
and author Ben Bova. The series was the first showing
of popular entertainment in the planetarium and that
programming continues, 30 years later!
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| Organizing
and Mobilization |
A candidate elected, a policy initiative
passed, people mobilized for social or community change?
I can organize public policy initiatives, training
sessions, special events and grassroots efforts on behalf
of your cause or candidate. I believe you can gain an
advantage by speaking about
creativity and innovation and speaking
to the creative class. |
- I've been working to engage artists and creative
professionals in civic life since 1990. Details...
- I organized Greater Chicago Citizens for the Arts
to help elect candidates who supported the arts and
freedom of expression. Learn
more...
- I've written arts and culture platform statements
for candidates for Alderman, State Representative,
U.S. Congress and the U.S. Senate. View the statements.
- I organized a national effort to inspire and train
creative professionals to run for local office. Learn
about the Creative America Project.
- I produced events, exhibitions and entertainments
that blended arts and politics. Details...
- I organized the first Chicago City Council Arts
Caucus. In 1993 I chaired a meeting in the Press Room
of City Hall. Some 15 aldermen attended to hear an
overview of the economic impact of the arts in the
city. Alderman Joe Moore was the convener. Pat Johnson,
of the MacArthur Foundation sponsored Arts and Community
Development Project, presented a slide show on community-based
arts programs. Sandra Furey, the Executive Director
of Urban Gateways, presented the role of arts in the
lives of young people, and Sandy Boyd, the President
of the Field Museum, presented on the role of museums
and major cultural institutions in the life of the
city. Click
here to see the agenda. The aldermen were interested
in keeping the group together and then met in the
office of the Commissioner of Cultural Affairs, Lois
Weisberg.
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| Problem
Solving & Ideation Experiences |
Fresh ideas, paradigm-shaking, frame-shifting,
collaborative problem-solving or a look 15 minutes into
the future?
I design and execute retreats, events and Internet
experiences that entertain, educate, stimulate exploration
of new ideas and lead to collaborative problem-solving. |
- I organized experiential
workshops for the Government of Saskatchewan on
how to use the arts and culture for economic development.
- I'm a student of the Experience
Economy and I design promotions, workshops and
hands-on discovery experiences that reveal principles
of customer passion and loyalty.
- I produced a full-day workshop on applying the principles
of the Experience Economy to regional development
for the Business Retention and Expansion International
2007 conference in Regina, Canada. We
explored the city of Moose Jaw.
- I do an interactive, entertaining and informative
presentation that lays out the basics of the Experience
Economy, "Welcome to the Experience Economy!" - that
is in the format of a talk show - complete with music,
audience participation, prizes and surprise guests!One
conference organizer said "This is great stuff. ..you
really got what is normally a slow-to-motivate morning
crowd up and running! I am totally excited when I
think of the potential for other events like this
for the Chicago AMA." Details
of the presentation...
- I produced and facilitated a number of unique ideation
and networking events called the BrainStir, where
problem-solving occurred while participants made and
consumed a stir-fry meal. See
how it worked.
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| Non-Profit Strategic
Planning & Audience Development |
...Focus, new audiences and accelerated
growth for your nonprofit organization?
I've started or led eight nonprofit enterprises since
1974. I know how to connect nonprofit mission to bold
and sustainable program development. |
- I worked for Collaboraction
Theater to develop a branding and program development
planning process. The project is in process but has
already led to new funding, enhanced board participation,
a new position statement, new marketing initiatives,
a newsletter, audience surveys, an online video and
more.
- I was a member of Mayor Daley's Digital Divide
Committee and for that group I devised a program to
create a network of community technology centers that
got over $1 million in funding and serves 20 neighborhoods
across Chicago. Read
about the Community Technology Center Accelerator
Program.
- I was the Managing Director at Pegasus
Players for five years. During that time I created
a series of innovations that dramatically increased
our effectiveness, including computerization, co-productions,
novel earned revenue projects and co-op advertising.
Twice I had three shows running at the same time.
My most significant accomplishment was the creation
of the Chicago Young
Playwrights Festival, which is now in its 22nd
season!
- My nonprofit work has been funded by the MacArthur
Foundation, the Chicago Community Trust, the Joyce
Foundation, the Sara Lee Foundation, the Illinois
Arts Council and the City of Chicago Department of
Cultural Affairs.
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Making creativity a national value and trigger for public policy
and political engagement.
It is becoming increasingly evident that companies are offering
“experiences.”
Develop a branding and program development planning process.
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