Overview
As the Program Assistant for the Institute for Community Prosperity's Artist as Changemaker Residency, held on Mount Royal University campus, I supported the coordination, communication, and behind-the-scenes facilitation of a community-based arts and systems thinking program. This year's residency brought together artists and their chosen community partners to explore themes of social justice, systems thinking, and community-centred creative practices through workshops, discussions, and mentorship.
While the artists focused on their own creative and reflective journeys throughout the residency, my role centred on helping create the conditions that allowed those experiences to run smoothly and feel welcoming, organized, and supportive.
What I Contributed
- Designed promotional and communication materials for the residency
- Assisted with coordinating sessions and artist communications
- Helped organize the end-of-year process celebration event
- Supported logistical planning and behind-the-scenes facilitation throughout the residency
- Contributed to creating a welcoming and community-oriented environment for participants
Supporting Creative Processes
One of the most meaningful parts of this role was supporting artists while they explored systems thinking and community-centred creative practices in their own ways. Rather than being the primary focus of the residency itself, my role often involved helping maintain the structure, organization, and communication needed for participants to focus on learning, experimentation, and reflection.
This experience gave me a deeper appreciation for the invisible labour often involved in building supportive creative environments. It reinforced the importance of facilitation, adaptability, and care within community-based work, especially in spaces centred around collaboration and personal growth.
Journey Map
Systems Thinking Activity
Creative Process
Welcome Workshop
How This Influenced My Work
Working behind the scenes within the residency strengthened my understanding of how thoughtful coordination and communication shape people’s experiences within community spaces. It also reinforced my interest in systems thinking, participatory design, and creating experiences that feel supportive, accessible, and people-centred.
The role helped me recognize that meaningful community work is often shaped not only by visible outcomes, but also by the smaller systems of care, organization, and facilitation supporting those experiences in the background.
