|
|
Central Alberta Arts and Wellness Programming: An Electronic Manual
II. Logistics
created, sponsored, and occasionally updated by Arts à la Carte |
|
| If you'd like to develop a marketing plan for your event, the Ontario Arts Council offers a free electronic Marketing Resources Workbook that is a good supplement to the materials covered here. It guides you through a series of questions that help you to think about the marketing and publicity for your program.
[ http://www.arts.on.ca/english/homefrm.htm ] |
Who The first thing to decide is who you want to attend your program. Then after you've done a little more work, you will want to find the right instructor. |
| Participants
Decide who your target audience is. Invite children together who are of an age, rather than trying to create one program that meets the needs of a wide range of children. If this is not an option, be sure to provide a choice of activities for a range of ages. If your audience is adults, do you want to offer the program to all generations or a particular one (eg. seniors only, parents only, etc.)? Or perhaps you want to encourage an inter-generational approach by encouraging grandparents to bring their grandchildren?
|
Instructors
Tips for Hiring an Instructor
' We recommend that you use practising artists or art educators wherever possible. Part of the benefit of this kind of program is that the participants find out about art and art making from those who do this professionally. Children especially appreciate meeting artists and seeing their work.
' Don't forget that artists often have special training and should be reimbursed accordingly.
' When looking for the right person, ask about their experience in teaching, and in teaching the type of group that you have in mind.
' You may want to discuss the design of their program in some detail in advance to ensure that it fits your group.
For ideas on how to find an instructor in your area, click on more.
|
[ top ] |
What Think about what arts and what projects might be of special interest to the group. Decide which arts you wish to explore and what media or type of activity would best suit the group. Note that you will find a variety of program ideas elsewhere on this site. You might choose one or more of:
- Visual arts - including drawing (pencil, pastels, collage, pen and ink, etc.), painting, photography, pottery, fabric and other three-dimensional work (fabric mural, mask or puppet making, junk sculpture, etc.).
- Performing arts - including music (singing and playing instruments), dance, drama (skits, improvisation, group choral reading), and so on.
- Literary arts - including writing in a variety of forms and genres.
Embrace Diversity!
In Alberta our diversity is our strength. Look for opportunities to introduce your group to arts from other cultures around the world. You might get ideas by contacting local cultural groups. In Central Alberta, you can find contacts for cultural groups at:
http://www.mycommunityinformation.com
[ top ] |
When When will you hold your program? How long should it be? Would it be better as a full or half day? One or two hours weekly? Is there a season that best suits this activity?
When making the decision about when to hold your program, you will want to take into account:
- the needs of the group
- the amount of time needed to meet the program objectives (to both learn the skills and develop confidence and competence)
- the time of year this population is most likely to have the time to do it (eg. most often not in December unless it's a Christmas program as people are so busy then)
- the availability of the instructor(s)
the availability of the facilities [ top ] |
Where Appropriate spaces may include:
- local recreation facility
- church recreation hall
- local library or museum
- community centre
- school or college
- warehouse or meeting space in a local business
Depending on the program, you will need to find space that has:
- special needs access
- appropriate furniture (which might include tables and chairs for programming and instructor set up, chairs for an audience, performance platform, etc.)
- sinks and other facilities for clean up and the making of coffee/juice
- suitable washrooms
- tables and a fridge if individuals will be bringing food
- appropriate security and storage if the materials are to be kept there over time
Space is important!
Be sure that there is enough room so that participants can spread out.
[ top ] |
How How do you organize an arts program? We've identified three key considerations. After taking care of some of the logistical concerns outlined elsewhere in this manual, you need to develop a realistic budget and generate as much interest as possible through publicity. And don't forget to assess the program afterward to evaluate its effectiveness.
Money Publicity Assessment
Money
Your budget may very well include some or all of the following:
Expenses
- instructor fees
- travel costs
- facility rental
- equipment purchase or rental
- supplies
- handout copying
- meal, snack, or beverage costs
- publicity and promotional costs
- administrative costs
Revenues
- participant fees **
- sponsor/funding agency money
- sponsor gifts in kind (eg. supplies, free rent, etc.)
** In order to be inclusive, you may wish to look for opportunities to use a sliding fee scale or 'per family maximum' for participant fees. Or you might offer 'scholarships' based on financial need.
[return to "How"]
Publicity
Where and How to Publicize your Program
Publicity is critical to the success of your program. You can be very creative here, but the more obvious possibilities include:
- media releases to local newspapers, radio, television stations
- announcements posted in schools or clubs that support the event
- announcements placed in club and school newsletters
- brochures distributed to interested parties
- brochures left in high traffic office and reception areas in businesses, public facilities, schools, etc.
- posters hung in key, high traffic areas
- word of mouth (Often word of mouth is particularly helpful in smaller communities. Figure out who is most likely to spread the word, and make sure they know about your plans early on.)
Electronic Marketing Assistance
If you'd like to develop a marketing plan for your event, the Ontario Arts Council offers a free electronic Marketing Resources Workbook - http://www.arts.on.ca/english/homefrm.htm - that is a good supplement to the materials covered here. It guides you through a series of questions that help you to think about the marketing and publicity for your program.
Publicity Writing Tip
Be sure that your publicity is inviting and exciting. Don't just describe what it's about. Find a way to entice people to sign up. Eg. "Haven't you always wanted to nurture your creative spirit? Here's an opportunity that's fun and fascinating..." or "Research shows that children who are involved in the arts do better in school. Why not sign your child up for this fun art event..."
Assessment
Don't forget to assess your program. This can help with proving the effectiveness of this program to funding agencies and sponsors, and can also assist when gathering funds and support for your next program.
Ongoing assessment
Gathering participant feedback during the program can help you and/or the instructor to make small adjustments that result in greater program satisfaction. You might ask participants to write on an index card what's working for them and what changes they'd like to see. (If you can't make the changes, you can at least acknowledge the comments and explain why it's not possible.)
Basic assessment formats at the end of the program include:
- simple participant evaluations asking about satisfaction with the program, instructor, and facility, as well as the strengths of the program and suggestions for next time
- post-program phone interviews with participants and/or their parents
- an interview with the instructor
[ top ] |
Why Why offer arts and wellness programming? We know of lots of great reasons, many of them supported by research:
- to enhance creativity and the appreciation of others' creativity
- to stimulate the body, mind, and spirit
- to relax and renew
- to express oneself
- to learn how to "think outside the box"
- to develop important workplace skills such as problem solving and critical thinking
- to develop the ability to work cooperatively and creatively with others
- to develop and/or enhance self-confidence and self discipline
To visit a web site with information on the benefits of arts programming on children of all ages, click below. You may find this article helpful when designing funding proposals, sponsor requests, or publicity releases.
[ http://www.aaae.org/research.html ]
[ top ] |
Most recently updated on April 22, 2003.
|
Moving arts and wellness to the community
|
manual copyright © 2003 Arts à la Carte
|
