In the Studio

Using a creative inquiry-based process, Studio Pathways met with the Teaching Artists Guild (TAG), now the lead org in merger with the Association of Teaching Artists (ATA), to identify a future vision for its work and impact, including considerations of growth in size and scope of services, as well as its organizational structure. Our goal was to outline strategic priorities and develop an action plan to guide what will combine to be TAG’s work over the next three years, while strengthening the relationships and integration of key stakeholders.

Strategic planning is the practice of looking beyond the immediate future in order to reach a particular set of goals and developing the step-by-step actions of how the org is going to get there.  Transformative strategic planning is not only about reaching a final destination, but developing internal capacities and processes for reflection on the origins, strengths, and present moment needs at the heart of any community-based programs and endeavors.

Our arts-centered approach has strengthened continuous growth (internal and external) and emphasized culturally responsive strategies to support racial and social justice. Our methods for transformative strategic planning integrated elements of participatory decision making, facilitative leadership, restorative story circles, and experiential learning. In addition, we used a “studio” structure/design that allowed participants to fully absorb needed information, diligently explore that information in artistic ways, and gainfully act and reflect on the connections, ideas, and lessons learned.

Please enjoy the story of this merger to date.