About Residency Building
Archived Course Description (2014-2015)
What does it take to imagine and realize your own community-based music performance and/or education initiative in the United States? What does it take to make it sustainable?
Based on curriculum developed specifically for NEC’s Sistema Fellows Program (2009-2014), the goal of this new course is to develop a holistic understanding of the nuances of creating a sustainable community-based artistic initiative.
Participants begin by designing a project that reflects their personal artistic and/or educational vision, and that is based in an existing community of their choosing.
Over the course of nine months, participants refine their ideas as they incorporate new information that will expand, deepen, and strengthen their concept. As they learn about specific aspects of nonprofit organizations—both strategic (e.g. mission and vision) and operational (e.g. budgeting and fundraising)—these become incorporated into participants’ blueprints for their own organization.
Classes are structured to include discussion of assigned readings as well as introduce aspects of community-based strategy and practice. At the end of each semester, participants present their projects for feedback from peers and invited guest practitioners.
This course offers participants both the conceptual and practical knowledge necessary to initiate a successful community-based artistic residency. Participants also gain a network of similarly inspired colleagues.
In addition to the scheduled seminars, each student participates in individualized consultation with the instructor.
What does it take to imagine and realize your own community-based music performance and/or education initiative in the United States? What does it take to make it sustainable?
Based on curriculum developed specifically for NEC’s Sistema Fellows Program (2009-2014), the goal of this new course is to develop a holistic understanding of the nuances of creating a sustainable community-based artistic initiative.
Participants begin by designing a project that reflects their personal artistic and/or educational vision, and that is based in an existing community of their choosing.
Over the course of nine months, participants refine their ideas as they incorporate new information that will expand, deepen, and strengthen their concept. As they learn about specific aspects of nonprofit organizations—both strategic (e.g. mission and vision) and operational (e.g. budgeting and fundraising)—these become incorporated into participants’ blueprints for their own organization.
Classes are structured to include discussion of assigned readings as well as introduce aspects of community-based strategy and practice. At the end of each semester, participants present their projects for feedback from peers and invited guest practitioners.
This course offers participants both the conceptual and practical knowledge necessary to initiate a successful community-based artistic residency. Participants also gain a network of similarly inspired colleagues.
In addition to the scheduled seminars, each student participates in individualized consultation with the instructor.
Faculty
Heath Marlow, (former) associate dean for arts leadership and entrepreneurship faculty, previously directed NEC's Sistema Fellows Program and Sistema Fellowship Resource Center.
Prior to NEC, he worked at Community MusicWorks—a community-based organization nationally recognized for “creating rewarding musical experiences for often-forgotten populations and forging a new, multi-faceted role beyond the concert hall for the 21st century musician” (MacArthur Foundation). Heath began his tenure at CMW as a teaching artist in 1999 and wore many hats for the organization, including artistic program administrator, director of development (2004-2009), and, most recently, managing director (2010-2012). In addition to supporting the career development of the Sistema Fellows, Heath has also advised a number of start-up community-based performance and/or education initiatives, including Castle of our Skins, Kithara Project, Little Opera, musiConnects, Music Haven, Newport String Project, Palaver Strings, Tetra String Quartet, Thread Ensemble, and the RI Fiddle Project. As a cellist and chamber musician, Heath has been fortunate to spend many summers making music in such bucolic locations as Banff, Blue Hill, Boscawen, and the Berkshires. https://twitter.com/heath_marlow www.linkedin.com/in/heathmarlow |