Digital Drawingboard
Digital Drawingboard provides leaders in the creative economy with the resources and skills needed to enhance their organization’s digital presence and reimagine their offerings for virtual engagement.
Thanks to the generous support from the Knight Foundation, the Arts + Business Council is offering four individual workshops through June that are free and open to the public.
February 25, 2022, 12pm to 2pm:
NFTs: What they are, how to make and sell them, and what they mean for the art community
Speakers include:
Anne Bracegirdle, Metaversal
Rah Crawford, World Owned
Josh Goldblum, Bluecadet
Aaron Ricketts, Artist
More about the speakers:
Anne Bracegirdle is the VP of Business Development for Metaversal and co-founder of the Art & Antiquities Blockchain Consortium 501(c)(3). Her previous roles were Head of Sales US for Convelio and Senior Director of Special Projects at Superblue. Prior to Superblue, Anne was an AVP and Specialist at Christie’s New York. Anne speaks widely on the topic of art and blockchain.
Rah Crawford has been an artist, creative pioneer and consultant for over 25 years. He has been creating and building culture specifically within the crypto community since 2017. As founder and Chief Creative for World Owned, a multidimensional creative agency — Rah consults, develops, and designs content for the arts, entertainment and tech industries.
Josh Goldblum is an award-winning experience designer and the founding principal of Bluecadet. With offices in Philadelphia, New York, and Los Angeles, Bluecadet’s interdisciplinary team unites revolutionary innovations with a sense of human craftsmanship. He has overseen the design and development of interactive experiences and strategies for clients such as MoMA, Google, Bloomberg, Doctors Without Borders, National Geographic, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Aaron Ricketts is a photographer, visual artist, and creative director whose work resides at the intersection of art and entertainment. Heavily inspired by surrealism, Aaron often aims to challenge human perception, condition, and context. After simultaneously serving in the United States Air Force and receiving his BFA in photography from Tyler School of Art as a full-time student in 2017, Aaron began working for himself after establishing The Ricketts Company.
March 25, 2022, 12pm to 2pm:
Podcasting: Should your organization consider launching a podcast?
April 22, 2022, 12pm to 2pm:
Mining Data for Growth: How to maximize the data your organization collects
June 3, 2022, 12pm to 2pm:
Gamifying Art: What happens when gaming and art intersect?
The Arts + Business Council also offers a four-week program in the fall. Participants will work alongside a cohort of creative professionals, as well as leaders in the arts and technology, to discover how to leverage technology to effectively adapt to the future of engaging audiences online. Cohort members will gain insight into how to transition to virtual programming, utilize web design and social media to tell your organization’s story, understand and fundraise with your audience, and more. Please see below for more information about the most recent season, and contact Liz Thompson if you would like to be notified about the Fall 2022 season.
2021 Digital Drawingboard Curriculum
All sessions take place on Wednesday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm, with a 15-minute break in the middle, and ending earlier as needed. All sessions should be interactive and energizing, recognizing how hard it is to spend three straight hours on Zoom.
Week 1: October 27, 2021
Frameworks for Innovation: Design Thinking & DEI
Speakers:
Mike Gadsby, O3 World
Carla Thomas and Tanya O’Neill, The Realize Group
We begin the program with learning fundamental frameworks of Design Thinking and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to set the groundwork for the sessions ahead. How you think about changing your online operations and programs is as important as what you change. This introduction to Design Thinking will explain how to use human-centered, iterative processes to better connect with your organization’s stakeholders. The DEI session will encourage participants to rethink how they commit to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, particularly in their digital marketing, online programs, and internal systems.
Week 2: November 3, 2021
Engaging Audiences through Social Media and Newsletters
Speakers:
Will Toms, REC Philly
Annemarie Dooling, McClatchy
This session is all about engaging audiences. If you think you know how to run your social media accounts effectively, think again. This session is chock full of tips and tricks to make your social media stand out and truly express your organization’s identity and offerings. Newsletters are also important to engaging audiences, and we will explore different styles and types of newsletters, ways to segment audiences, and how to win your audience’s inbox.
Week 3: November 10, 2021
Going virtual: Online Programming and Augmented Reality
Speakers:
Leigh Goldenberg, The Wilma Theater
Danielle Allen, The Philadelphia Orchestra
Marangeli Mejia-Rabell, Latino Film Festival
Brett Renfer, Blue Cadet
Howard McCabe, Dream Syndicate
Online programming in 2021 means more than just hosting events on Zoom. Hear from and share your experiences with peer leaders who have taken online arts programming to new heights with hybrid productions, online streaming, virtual art galleries, podcasts, and more. Want to take your digital experiences to the next level? Consider using augmented reality to change how your audience experiences your organization’s work. Hear from local tech leaders working with arts organizations using AR, and find out how this innovative technology can enhance your portfolio of offerings.
Week 4: November 17, 2021
Fundraising, Branding, and Accessing Volunteer Help
Speakers:
Ian Standish, CCS Fundraising
Alan Jacobson and Brian Jacobson, J2
Leo Otting, Philadelphia Foundation
In the fourth session of Digital Drawingboard, we will pull together what we’ve learned so far and leverage these new ideas for greater impact. We will start with an overview of online fundraising strategies. The pandemic has changed how many organizations fundraise and this session will address some major fundraising questions like how to launch an online fundraising campaign, how to fundraise without an in-person gala, and more. Then we will explore how to bring all of our digital elements together into one package: your brand. How will you take what you’ve learned in Digital Drawingboard and adjust your organization’s brand, identity, and website? Finally, through our partnership with the Philadelphia Foundation, we will encourage participants to access the Key Skills Hub (KSH), a system that matches nonprofits with volunteer help. Digital Drawingboard participants can immediately access the KSH to find volunteer help to implement the ideas and technologies discussed throughout the program.
Who should attend?
Communications, marketing, or development leaders within arts and culture nonprofits
Creative economy for-profit business leaders
Anyone seeking to upgrade their online operations and programs
What will you learn?
New tactics for transitioning programs and operations online
Perspectives on how to build larger, more supportive, and more diverse digital audiences
Techniques to strengthen your organization’s online brand
What arts leaders are doing to pivot their organizations during the pandemic
Testimonials
“Digital Drawingboard was outstanding, and exactly what we at the Kennett Symphony needed. The program provided me with information and concrete steps to create an impactful online presence for our organization.”
“During a time when almost all of the arts and culture work being done was taking place online, being a part of Digital Drawingboard cohort in 2020 was really helpful to remind me that the basic tenets of effective storytelling, gathering and using data, and audience engagement remained the greatest tools to use in such an uncertain time.”
2021 Faculty
Danielle’s nearly 15 years in the nonprofit sector and her love for arts and culturecled her to join the Global Initiatives and Government Relations office of ThecPhiladelphia Orchestra in 2017. Under the leadership of the Orchestra’s executive director, Danielle managed the organization’s international projects and touring. In this work, she collaborated with community, corporate, civic, and
government partners locally and abroad to champion the Orchestra’s mission of cultural exchange through the joy of music.
Prior to joining the greatest Orchestra in the world, Danielle worked for the Philadelphia Eagles and spent more than 10 years with the Center City District working in crime prevention and beautifying public spaces. Danielle even spent time in the air as events coordinator for the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. While her professional experience spans various industries, one theme shines
through. Danielle loves her city and takes pride in celebrating the diverse people, spaces, and places that make it a wonderful place to live, work, and play.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Danielle graduated summa cum laude from the Philadelphia High School for Girls before attending Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA. She received her B.S. in Education from Temple University with concentrations in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education and has
always displayed dedication to youth and improving her community. In her personal service, Danielle has planned neighborhood health events, school supply drives, and college fairs for her church and other faith-based organizations.
A singer since the age of 4, music has been integral to Danielle’s development and her curious nature often draws her to new learning experiences, such as drum lessons and classes in various forms of dance, American Sign Language, and yoga. When she is not being a busy-body, Danielle is an avid sewist, creating new garments for work and travel. Of all these activities, Danielle most enjoys
curling up on the couch to watch documentaries with her dogs, Charlie and Jake.
Annemarie Dooling
Mike oversees innovation and strategy at the consultancy and brings 20 years of experience advising everyone from startups to Fortune 500 brands. In addition to his client work, Mike leads O3’s Labs program. Outside of work, Mike shares his business and innovation knowledge with people as an educator, conference speaker and mentor. He has designed curriculum and taught graduate-level UX courses and has spoken to industry professionals at numerous events throughout the region. Mike has an inspiring, entrepreneurial spirit and a constant thirst for helping businesses and organizations grow through applied design and technology solutions.
Leigh Goldenberg
Leigh Goldenberg is the Managing Director of The Wilma Theater. Previously, she was Executive Director of Theatre Philadelphia, the region’s marketing and leadership organization for theater where she founded Philly Theatre Week. Prior to that, she was Marketing Director for the social enterprise Wash Cycle Laundry. She has worked in Philadelphia and New York with Arden Theatre Company, HERE Arts Center, Pearl Theatre Company, among others. She is a Democratic Committeeperson in Philadelphia’s First Ward, and past President of the board of the South Philly Food Co-op and Friends of Kirkbride Elementary. She’s an alumni of Leadership Philadelphia’s Connectors & Keepers and Philly Girls Do Good, and was a Rad Girls nominee for Connector of the Year. Her writing has been featured in Philly Love Notes and Spoke Magazine and she has appeared on ABC’s The $100,000 Pyramid and the DIY Network’s Kitchen Impossible. She was a member of the Producer’s Lab at Women’s Project and holds a degree in Theatre Production and Management from Marymount Manhattan College.
Alan Jacobson
As Founder and President of Exit Design and J2 Design Alan provides innovative leadership to help organizations define their vision and craft strategies for growth. Brand strategy and experience design in the built environment have been the keystones of Alan’s research and passion in the areas of education, healthcare, arts, science and technology, development, and public space. Alan is also the Co-Founder of J2 Design (sister studio of Exit), focused on brand strategy, identity and communications firm helping organizations do more good work in the fields of arts and culture, social services and education.
Alan is a natural convener who brings people with different viewpoints and agendas together to find common ground and move their organizations forward. He leads Exit Design and J2 Design strategy process, gathering stakeholder input to identify our clients’ core objectives, challenges, and areas for opportunity; that vital information drives the creativity of our design team to formulate transformative solutions. As creative director, Alan is driven by the impact design can have on our quality of life, organizational growth, and the influence of design on attraction and affinity.
Alan plays leadership roles in a variety of communities. He is the Board Chair of both the Arts and Business Council of Greater Philadelphia and the internationally recognized Village of Arts and Humanities in North Philadelphia, and is also an Executive Board member of The Philadelphia Center for Architecture and Design and serves on the board of directors of The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. Alan is a recent recipient of the Philadelphia Creative Economy Award and the Professional Excellence Award. He is a frequent speaker on experience design and brand strategy at conferences and universities.
Howard McCabe
Founder of BlueVisualEffects, a broadcast design studio. Founder of Dream Syndicate, an Experiential Agency focusing on AR and VR technologies. Clients include Nike, Oakley, MLB, National Guard, and more. Senior compositor, DJ, Surfer, Skier, Paraglider, Father.
Marángeli Mejía-Rabell
Coaching Federation certification.
Her diverse academic credentials include a degree in Nursing (BSN), Human Services (MHS) and Psychology (PsyD). She also holds multiple professional certifications that include: MBTI, Crucial Conversations, Emotional Intelligence Learning System (EILS), and Diversity Practitioner. Alongside her background in leadership development and DEIB, she is a military veteran having served with the United States Air Force. Dr. O’Neill combines logic and her research on emotional intelligence to help others see the positive business impact that comes through embracing diversity, and championing emotional intelligence as a means of driving inclusion.
She is a native Philadelphian who enjoys helping individuals and teams cultivate their own unique inner brilliance and develop that competitive edge.
Brett Renfer
An experience designer and maker, Brett specializes in creating narrative-based interactive environments as a creative director at Bluecadet. Brett’s work has ranged from projecting on the City Hall of San Jose to interactive dataviz for NASA to hands-on exhibits with the Muppets. Brett teaches courses on the future of interactive space as an adjunct professor at the New School’s Design and Technology program and NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP), and leads workshops around the country on low- and high-tech prototyping.
Ian Swedish
Ian has developed a deep skillset on the intersection of data and fundraising strategy. He led the firm’s data analytics special strategic planning initiative to develop a shared service platform working across CCS that provides stand-alone services such as predictive modeling, forecasting, and benchmarking for fundraising strategy and planning.
Additionally, Ian provides leadership of a private family foundation guiding strategy for over $50 million in assets and its annual philanthropic distribution. The foundation supports charities across the globe to create a more socially equitable and just world through the lens of education and opportunity. He currently serves on boards at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan and at Moonstone Inc. He is also a Founding Advisor of Feeding America’s Population Health Program. Ian is an active member of the Philadelphia community. One of the greatest joys of his life has been as a foster parent.
Ian holds an MBA and MPP from the Ross School of Business and the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. He received a BA from the University of Vermont. Ian resides in the Queen Village neighborhood of Philadelphia with his wife and daughter.
Carla Thomas E.d.D
Carla currently sits on the Advisory boards of The University of Pennsylvania’s Chief Learning Officer Doctorate Program, Saint Joseph’s University’s Organizational & Leadership Development graduate program as well as the The Academy of Natural Sciences. She is an active member of the NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Sciences, Philadelphia Society of People and Strategy, the Society for Human Resource Management, the Organizational Development Network, and the Inclusion Allies Coalition.
A graduate of Vanderbilt University and Saint Joseph’s University, Carla completed her doctorate at The University of Pennsylvania in Leadership Development and Corporate Strategy. Her mixed methods research explores psychosocial factors that mitigate the negative effects of implicit bias in the workplace. As a scholar, practitioner, speaker and keynote speaker, she is committed to improving dialogues across difference while pushing the boundaries of practical approaches that create inclusive environments.
William Tyrone Toms is a 29-year-old award-winning entrepreneur from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After starting his first company at the age of 21, Will Toms has quickly made a name for himself in the region’s startup community at the intersection of culture & economics. He is the Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer of REC Philly, serving as the visionary + strategist behind the company’s endeavors.
In under four short years he and his business partner Dave Silver have grown REC to almost 20 employees and raised over $3M dollars to scale their socially-driven business model from a warehouse in North Philadelphia to a state-of-the-art facility in Center City. Will’s vision is to scale REC’s model of “a gym membership for creatives” to span across international communities, establishing a network of 100,000 independent creators that all have access to the resources, strategies and opportunities necessary to own their future.
Before REC, Will served day to day as a digital strategist at Fame House, developing and executing marketing campaigns for entertainment brands including Ice Cube, Shady Records & Eminem. He currently serves as a board member of three non-profit organizations fighting structural inequality, food insecurity in inner-city neighborhoods and more. In 2019, William accepted a nomination to join the leadership council of the Philadelphia Global Identity Partnership– a public-private partnership created to help rebrand his beloved city of Philadelphia to the world.
With his background in communication and economics, William takes pride in ensuring that all of his efforts are centered around democratizing access and opportunity for young, passionate people of color.
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