2. library’s mission statement
We welcome and
support all people
in their enjoyment
of reading and
pursuit of lifelong
learning.
Working together, we
strive to provide
equal access to
information, ideas
and knowledge
through books,
programs and other
resources.
We believe in the
freedom to read, to
learn, to discover.
2
mission statement from: https://www.chipublib.org/about-us/
image from: https://www.pexels.com/photo/selective-focus-photography-of-house-miniature-lot-102302/
3. often
People do not see
themselves as
creators of history
or memory keepers
worthy of being
placed in an
exhibition space
This project seeks to
engage with local
communities to
engage with art and
history—and to see
the value in their
own creativity and
storytelling.
3
image from: https://www.pexels.com/photo/left-person-s-hand-near-blue-board-2078269/
We seek to
emphasize the
“lifelong learning”
and “equal access”
parts of our mission
statement.
4. action brief
convince
Chicagoans, library users and
non-users
they will
be active participants in the
creation of artwork and history
because
It will allow for more
accessible access to stories
the community truly cares
about.
4
that by
engaging with the library’s
exhibition space
which will
cement the library as a
community gathering space
5. “
When people can actively
participate with cultural
institutions, those places
become central to cultural
and community life.
5
-Nina Simon, The Participatory Museum, p. ii
6. Our objectives & goals
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engage
We aim to engage with audiences that may not frequent the library’s
physical building.
build
We aim to build relationships and audience for future
programming.
gather
We aim to gather intentionally and encourage future
visits.
7. inspiration
Orland Park Library hosted an
exhibition documenting the
community’s support of Black
Lives Matter that featured work
created by Orland Park
residents.
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Image from:
https://patch.com/illinois/orlandpark/black-lives-matter-protest-exhibit-will-feature-reside
nts-work
8. ✘ work with the library’s marketing and
communications team throughout
✘ prep frontline staff with program details
during the entire process—especially for
when the exhibit is open to public
✘ a role is available no matter how often a
staff members can commit to
✗ from those who will engage every
aspect of the project and those who
can only help with a one-off event
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staffing
10. Roadmap
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1 3 5
6
4
2
open call for a
group of
curators
community
outreach open exhibition
series of
workshops and
brainstorming
sessions with
cohort
create exhibition debrief and
evaluation
12. ✘ applications
✗ various mediums to ensure diverse
applicant pool (paper app, Google form,
etc.)
✗ various marketing: flyers in coffee shops,
social media channels, etc.
✘ prioritizing applicants with strong
community-centered ideas
12
14. ✘ series of meetings and workshops to
dream up what the space could become
✗ including ethics of community-engaged
work & working with each other
✘ give space for flexibility and creativity
✗ determine whether to have multiple
exhibits or a group one
✘ overview of library resources
14
16. ✘ cohort curates their exhibition(s)
✗ community outreach to find artwork
and/or stories
✗ established working time for art creation
hosted by the library (potentially in
different physical locations)
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22. ✘ debrief with cohort and community
members featured
✘ determine what could be better for future
iterations
✘ feedback sessions with frontline staff and
their interactions with the public
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