Welcome! to my blog about expressive arts coaching, arts advocacy, and other random goodies including the weekly series of interviews - My Creative Life.
www.TheExpressiveArtsCoach.com
My Creative Life is a weekly interview, with the same five questions, with folks who are living authentically, creatively, and making a living out of their passions.
This week I’m honored to have Washington DC's Analiese Bendorf, a Grant Writer and Researcher. She's the first creative administrative interviewee I've had and I am so excited! I've worked in the arts advocacy world and also with many, many nonprofits, and know how CRUCIAL Analiese's job is for the arts to thrive. She is passionate about her writing and her work! Be inspired by her answers, especially #3!
Drop her a line at her blog, Tulips and Tea Twitter = @analiesemarie 1. What do you do? (career wise - whatever you want to share)I work as a Grant Writer and Researcher for an art museum in Washington, DC. I meet with staff members from all departments of the museum to learn about upcoming programs and projects that need funding. This could be anything from launching a contemporary installation series to designing art-integrated educational programs to acquiring new equipment for the museum's art conservation lab and more. I research and identify funding sources for these projects, then write grant proposals to foundations and government agencies. Once a grant has been awarded, I'm responsible for writing reports and other pieces of correspondence to keep the funder informed of the impact of the grant. I've always been passionate about both writing and art, and I feel extremely fortunate to be in a position which combines the two. It's a joy to know that my work helps enable the museum to serve the Washington community (as well as a national and international audience of visitors) and to impact peoples' lives through the power of art.
2. How did you prepare for this career? (formal and informal education, books, workshops?)The arts have played a significant role in my life from a very young age. As a child, I spent hours drawing, painting, and crafting, and also took dance lessons and piano lessons for many years. My parents took me and my younger sister to museums, concerts, and plays, and strongly encouraged my artistic leanings. As a result, the idea that creative expression should be honored and supported was ingrained in me from an early age. At George Washington University, I majored in Cultural Anthropology, studying how humans communicate and interpret meaning within and across cultures. The school's Anthropology program benefited from a unique partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, and I had the opportunity to take classes on-site at the various museums, taught by Smithsonian curators. I became interested in the way museums express their unique knowledge and mission to the world, and began to seriously consider a career in the museum world. With my love of art, it became clear to me that using my writing abilities to further the mission of an art museum was a natural fit.I continue to learn everything I can about my craft by taking classes and workshops (such as those offered by Foundation Center); talking to other individuals in the field (I've connected with some through Twitter!); and reading numerous blogs and publications (see #5 below for some examples).
3. Besides living according to the values of creativity and independence, what other values are you honoring by following this path?Service. I feel that I am using my abilities in service of a cause larger than myself, which is to advocate for the importance of art, and to help make possible the kind of artistic experiences that empower and inspire people and contribute to making Washington, DC a culturally vital community.
4. What struggles or challenges do you face, if any?In this difficult economy, securing grants is more challenging than ever, especially for the arts, which, in times of great need, are sometimes viewed by funders as less important than basic human services. However, with this challenge comes a great opportunity as many museums and arts organizations are being forced to innovate in order to attract new audiences and fulfill their missions with fewer resources. The organizations who use this crisis as a catalyst for rethinking how they can provide relevant and robust programming in a more efficient way (by forming partnerships with other non-profits, for example) are the ones who will emerge scrappy and victorious on the other side of this mess, and they will be better for it.
5. Can you give some advice to folks who would like to do what you do?You can spend forever "preparing" for your life's work, but the best way to begin is to begin. For example, if you're interested in writing about art, start writing about art and submit your writing to a couple publications. If you want to work in the non-profit world or a museum specifically, schedule an informational interview to learn more. Find a mentor, get an internship, volunteer...just start doing. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you have to have a specific type of educational or work background. Degrees and other types of formal training are useful, but enthusiasm, discipline, and a willingness to learn count for a lot, no matter what field you're interested in.That being said, if you want to work at a museum, it wouldn't hurt to learn more about the museum world by, of course, visiting lots of museums and reading blogs, books, magazines, etc. One of my favorite museum-related blogs is Museum 2.0, by the fantastic Nina Simon, who designs participatory and innovative museum experiences. You can also stay current on topics in philanthropy and the non-profit world by reading publications like the Chronicle of Philanthropy and Philanthropy News Digest. The Foundation Center offers free classes, workshops, and webinars geared toward those in the non-profit world. I also recommend the very excellent book Storytelling for Grantseekers: The Guide to Creative NonProfit Fundraising.
It's a force to be reckon with. Burgandy juice, crunchy seeds. It makes you slow down.
It demands your attention.
Crack it open. Savor it.
Need a break? eat a pom.
Succulent.
S-l-o-w.
Every break exposes tiny jewels of sweet goodness. A treasure hunt.
Many napkins.
What to do with all the excess juice?
Paint with it.
The apple and banana are so pedestrian compared to the beauty of The Pomegranate.
Eat it with someone you love.
Red fades to purple.
If given the proper attention (and reverence), it is cooperative.
WANT TO USE THIS POEM IN YOUR BLOG, E-NEWSLETTER, OR WEB SITE?
Okey dokey! But please include the following paragraph. If this is for printed materials, please contact me first.
Gabrielle Javier-Cerulli, MA is The Expressive Arts Coach who uses the creative process for clarity, self-discovery, healing, and enjoyment with her clients. On December 1, 2009 she will announce her new Life Purpose EXPRESS program and in February 2010 she will be launching something really special - so stay in touch!
A few days ago I had a fitness assessment.The sad numbers weren’t a surprise, as I know I have a lot of work to do on my physical Self.The trainer advised me that the #1 word I cannot use while exercising is “comfortable.”If I’m comfortable, I’m not going to get the results I wish for.In order to change, I must get uncomfortable and pretty often.I need to sweat, move my body in ways that are different, be consistent, and try new things.
The same goes for expressive arts coaching, life coaching, expressive arts facilitation, and even therapy at times.If your goal is to find your life purpose, then you need to get Uncomfortable by way of really evaluating your life, hiring someone to help you, and also be open to taking some risks.If your goal is to get more organized, you need to get Uncomfortable with filing those papers every single day for the next 21 days until it becomes a habit even though you can make up excuses why those stacks can wait for another time.If you are suffering from an addiction, in order to cross over to the other side of it, there will be many days of being Uncomfortable, and that’s where the breakthroughs live.
My Creative Life is a weekly interview, with the same five questions, with folks who are living authentically, creatively, and making a living out of their passions.
This week I’m honored to have Toronto's Jamie Ridler, a creative woman who lives and breathes the creative process and guides others in finding their authentic creative Self. Be sure to check out her website and blog for inspiration and for a visual treat! She is super nice so drop her a line, she'd be glad to chat. She can work with you over the phone!
1. What do you do? (career wise - whatever you want to share)
I’m a creative self-development coach and the owner of Jamie Ridler Studios. My work revolves around helping creative, independent spirits step out of the shadows and be the star they are. I do this through coaching, workshops, products and online activities.
2. How did you prepare for this career? (formal and informal education, books, workshops?)
What a journey! In many ways I’ve been preparing for this work my entire life. I’ve always been a creative creature and grew up surrounded by books and paints, fabrics and puppets. My first love was dance and then the theatre. I discovered coaching after admitting to myself that the path I was on (a doctorate in drama) was taking me in the wrong direction. I did a great deal of soul-searching, brainstorming, discussing with friends and loved ones to get clear on my best skills, my deepest loves, how I wanted to make a difference and what I wanted to get out of a career. When I found coaching, it fit me like a dream. I did the core curriculum and then certification with the life-changing Coaches Training Institute (www.thecoaches.com). Later, to help bring my creativity and coaching together, I took a foundational program in Expressive Arts Therapy at ISIS in Toronto (http://www.isis-canada.org).
3. Besides living according to the values of creativity and independence, what other values are you honoring by following this path?
Life. Individuality. Sacredness. Love. Self-Expression. Courage.
I believe that we are here for 2 purposes: to be ourselves and to love our lives. Being ourselves involves knowing who we are, expressing and sharing the richness and the uniqueness that we bring to this world. And loving our lives means both tending them lovingly and also creating a life we’re wildly in love with. That’s the work I do. Delicious.
4. What struggles or challenges do you face, if any?
Growing what I offer into a business has been a challenge but also the most surprising and extraordinary opportunity for self-development. I had no idea that it could be like this. I’ve had to release all sorts of limiting beliefs about business, marketing, networking, sales and money. Now Jamie Ridler Studios feels like an exciting creative project full of connecting, inspiration, sharing, love and exchange. And that’s business. How cool is that?
5. Can you give some advice to folks who would like to do what you do?
Take the first step. We can all spend so much time preparing, training, reading, visioning, journaling, discussing, planning, that it takes us years to step into the adventure of our dreams. All of that is important but wherever you can, reach inside and find the curiosity and courage to take a step. That step will give you immediate and important information. We can wonder for hours about what something tastes like but in the second it takes to put it in our mouths, we know! So have a taste. See how it feels. And if you’re spirit says, “Yes!” take the next step. Dive in and trust yourself. The world needs your gifts. And if there’s any way I can help, email me at jamie@openthedoor.ca. I’m always interested in talking to helpers and creatives who are starting down the path to their dreams!
My Creative Life is a weekly interview, with the same five questions, with folks who are living authentically, creatively, and making a living out of their passions.
