Community #2: outreach
Goal: Build, strengthen, or deepen community through your artwork.
Below, you'll find detail on how to plan for community outreach, which is integrated into the work plan you'll build at early stages (see here for details).
How each of us goes about community engagement depends on our style, personalities, and values. We don't think there's a right or wrong way to do things. For example, although reaching more people is an implied expectation, some of our most memorable community moments involve just a few people.
Our values and design principles lead us to treat community outreach as a two-way process: sharing with neighbors, local businesses, and other stakeholders that the event is happening, reflecting their thoughts in design, and engaging them in process, participation, and regular collaboration if interested.
This work is slow, and often unpaid. Work as slowly as needed towards the goals defined by your values and style. We’re all in it for the long haul.
1. Get Organized
Create and maintain a contact list of residents, businesses, community groups, and other stakeholders. Include multiple ways to reach them (phone, email, social media).
Clarify responsibilities: decide who is responsible for what outreach tasks, if you are working as part of a team.
Map your touchpoints: which people or groups will you need to check in with during the event lifecycle?
2. Draft an Outreach Plan
Your plan should be grounded in the values and standards you’ve already set for your project.
Prioritize: Who is your primary audience? And will certain groups or individuals be most affected by your event (noise, traffic, use of public space)?
Participation options: Determine what participation opportunities you can offer (hosting a table, performing, contributing ideas).
Event facts: When do people need to know, and what should they know first?
Forms of engagement: door-to-door, digital (email? social media? Event calendar listings?) in-person conversations, printed materials?
Integration: Integrate outreach into your site planning, layout, and event design.
Forms of engagement
There are roughly two types of engagement: physical and digital. Both of them are labor intensive and rely on different skills. Start with what’s most comfortable for you.
Physical Outreach
Canvassing/ Community visits: meet people where they are. Go in pairs for safety and support.
Door to door: walk into local businesses, talk to residents, and connect with building supers. businesses
Passersby: hand out flyers or table in popular local spots.
Event tabling: Support other people's events. You can bring flyers for yours, while supporting theirs.
Digital Outreach
Local social media: Instagram, Facebook, Nextdoor, community forums.
Email lists: notify community listservs or networks that already exist.
Your own newsletter: to your mailing list
Event calendars: add your project to local arts and community calendars.
Updates: share real-time changes, reminders, and highlights.
