Citi Performing Arts Center hosted a unique “Party in a Box” evening, which included a gourmet dinner by a new ArtWeek partner, Dorchester’s Tavolo Ristorante.

Updates
It hardly seems like a month has passed since the close of the inaugural ArtWeek. Our modest calculations estimate that more than 3,000 people attended 50+ ArtWeek events that represented more than 40 organizational partners. In the next several weeks, we’ve scheduled debriefing meetings with arts and cultural, media, and civic partners as spring planning starts in earnest. Conversations about the application and adjudication process, criteria, partnerships, and marketing will help inform changes as ArtWeek continues to evolve.

Recent Wins
One month after the end of the first ArtWeek, and with an eye towards Spring ArtWeek, interest and awareness continues to grow:

-- The Christian Science Monitor gave a nice shoutout to ArtWeek in an article about public art. Writer Whitney Eulich wrote “Public art projects . . .  have the ability to reach thousands of people in an era when arts are often cut from the budget.”

-- To highlight a project that was featured as part of ArtWeek, Celebrity Series of Boston presented “Play Me I’m Yours” to celebrate its 75th anniversary and showcase 75 artfully decorated pianos throughout the city that encouraged spontaneous performances.

-- A meeting with the publisher of a leading local bi-monthly magazine led to brainstorming about linking their newly expanded arts, entertainment, and cultural issues to both the fall and spring editions of ArtWeek. The energetic and inspiring conversation included ideas about events, promotion, and connecting local advertisers with artists for ArtWeek events.

-- ArtWeek is already capturing the imagination of those outside of Boston. An encouraging meeting with the Director of the Creative Economy for the State of Massachusetts has sparked ideas about how other areas might adopt or adapt ArtWeek. At a recent meeting of national performing art center CEOs in Nashville, ArtWeek was a featured presentation that kicked off a discussion on creative placemaking.

Insight/Provocation
Perhaps you’ve already heard about the book Creative Confidence on “60 Minutes,” “Harvard Business Review,” or via a TED talk; I’m reading the final chapters, and I’ve become a fan. By unlocking creative potential, the Kelley brothers believe that everyone has the ability to create change in the world by leveraging their “creative confidence.” Reading this book through the lens of producing ArtWeek has become a timely inspiration as the team ponders program adjustments, opportunities for growth, and new outreach strategies.

In one instance, ArtWeek celebrates the power of art, culture, and entertainment through communities and partnerships—representing the event or experience provider—but it is also about the end user, meaning that when a broader public is introduced to “creativity” it becomes a resource that is accessible to all. In fact, discovering creativity in its many definitions and perspectives is indeed a worthy ArtWeek outcome for both providers and end users. Another part of the book that resonated with me is the value of “living in beta,” the inclination to “perfect at the expense of launch,” and “experimenting your way to success,” outlined in chapters labeled “Spark” and “Leap.” Startup ideas like ArtWeek that encourage risk taking and continuous learning, seem to embody those principles. Here’s to ArtWeek’s potential in sparking the creative confidence inherent within both individuals and the communities where they live, work, and play.

Want to follow ArtWeek’s progress as we start planning for Spring (April 25 - May 4, 2014)? Connect with us at:

www.artweekboston.org
www.facebook.com/artweekboston
www.twitter.com/artweekboston