Blueprints for Belonging: Lessons Learned from Community Engaged Forecasting

By: Seth Laidlaw

Less than six months into my role as Director of Education & Community Engagement at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts, a member of the community said to me that “people know when something isn’t made for them.” Having just moved to York, PA to assume this new position at an organization focused on expanding education and community engagement programs, I was working double-time to make connections and have honest conversations about ways the performing arts center could do better in truly serving its community. I was learning that there were two sides to every coin, and navigating a way to honor and support existing narratives.

COVID-19 brought about many changes for performing arts organizations around the world, including the Appell Center, who took it as an opportunity to reinvest in learning and engagement through the development of a 5-year strategic plan. 

I was handed this blueprint on how the staff, board, and close advocates imagined learning and engagement initiatives. However, something important was missing: community voice. I needed to hear from the people that weren’t included in the development of this plan, so that we could test assumptions and create programming that authentically connected them with York. Each conversation would eventually lead to three more people I should talk to, and my network expanded immensely. These were people passionate about the arts; community members that cared about making York a great place to live, work, and play; and people that rarely found themselves at the Appell Center. 

“People know when something isn’t made for them.” 

These words rang out loud and clear. The Appell Center was not founded as a “cultural hub for the community” as its new learning vision set out to be. There were people in York that never saw this organization as a place for them, because it grew out of a time of war, racial injustice and violence. The Appell Center is situated in downtown York, with a city population demographics of 26% Black or African American; 31% Latinx or Hispanic; and 36% White. Yet, it is a predominately White-serving institution. Where was the disconnect, and how could we begin to change the narrative to reach our vision? This is not a unique situation, as our nation grapples with more recent civil unrest that has spawned movements to build anti-racist theater systems, including We See You White American Theater. 

The biggest question that I wanted to answer: How can performing arts centers be authentic, welcoming spaces for everyone in the community?

In February 2022, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts released a new request for proposals, “developed to support projects that engage and cultivate deeper relationships, strengthen access, and promote the involvement of historically under-resourced and/or under-represented artists, organizations, and communities that have faced barriers such as geography, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, ability/disability, age, gender identity, or expression.” It was the absolute perfect call to action that set the Appell Center in partnership with Creative Generation on a path of responsive & community engaged forecasting. 

In July 2022, Creative Generation collaborated with the Appell Center to convene residents throughout York County to learn about the ways they engage civically, creatively, and interpersonally with the arts, arts education, and the Appell Center and its theaters. Creative Generation conducted a robust research plan elevating community knowledge and engaging with participants through numerous — often arts-based — methods reaching close to 100 community members. The process was a part of a design-thinking strategy that would allow the Appell Center to prototype some possible program solutions quickly. Additionally, artists were at the center of our community conversations, often leading the discussions and contributing throughout the research process. You can find a summary of the research findings here. 

What We Learned From Community Engaged Forecasting

What spawned from this research were new and strengthened relationships within the communities. We tested new programs that provided new levels of access to the Appell Center – including the Baby Rave, which brought 500 people onto the stage of the Strand Theatre for a memorable family dance party. We tested a new pick-your-price model for a series of education workshops and events that allowed people to choose a price that felt right to them. 

Most importantly, the Adaptive Impact Plan gave us a roadmap to have intentional conversations around new ideas or partnership opportunities, to ensure they aligned with our vision statement to be, “a cultural hub for the community, and a connecting point for the diverse voices of York County.” Check out all of the resources on the Appell Center for the Performing Arts website. 

As I reflect on the year of authentic community engagement in action, I am left with three key takeaways that any arts organization should commit to. 

  1. Know YOUR why. Towards the end of a conversation, one community member stopped me and said, “Why are you reaching out now?” When I started to share some of the Appell Center’s goals and hopes, this community member wasn’t convinced. It felt like an inauthentic and performative attempt to community engagement. Finally, I shared my personal story of growing up in a small community as a queer kid who didn’t belong, and how I wanted to make sure anyone could find a home at the theater. Know your personal why and be willing to bring it to the table.

  2. Follow Through and Circle Back. There can be a lot of built frustration when people are given the chance to speak their mind, yet nothing comes from it. Throughout this process, I highlighted specific and seemingly achievable ideas, and I would attempt to make them happen. Regardless of success or not, always circle back to the individuals who shared in the development of ideas. Establish relationships and show that you are listening with open and transparent communication.

  3. Move at the Speed of Trust. I’ve come to adopt this phrase in all of my work. Building trust is the key to making progress and change. Most importantly, as organizations that hold more power and control, you have to be quicker to trust in the people you are working with. The work of community engagement is not a time to hold your cards close to your chest, but rather reveal as much as you can with clear intentions - and without fear. This will allow you to move quickly and build stronger relationships.

Authentic community engagement occurs when the two sides of the coin are equally embraced. Celebrate the work that is happening, take full responsibility for any past harm, and speak proudly of the work that lies ahead. This entire process, while uniquely designed for the York community, can hopefully serve as guiding inspiration for arts organizations around the nation.