At the conclusion of the exhibition/events, randomly selected members of the Planning Committee were interviewed. What follows are the questions and their verbatim answers:

Question 1 Please describe your feelings/experiences/observations about Art from the Heart of the People. (Including the planning process, the events themselves, and the exhibits)

Verbatim Answers:

–It was successful on three levels. I was one of the first people identified to serve on the planning committee. It was very collaborative. The committee identified others to add to the effort. Lots of bantering back and forth...real learning process...so much conversation.

–It was a great opportunity for everyone. Opened up the mind of the community. Latinos do not usually go to museums, unless they are professionals. Inferior feelings make them feel apart–but this made them proud...boosts self concept.

–Successful...learned how to work with new people...negotiating new relationships...letting go of own mind set/control...let go of public face. Tight time frame made obsessions impossible.

–Overwhelmed. No clue what to expect–a little suspect. Everything surpassed my expectations.

–Great...lots of participation

–Exciting...good for Hispanic community to display their talents.

–A great first step to more opportunities.

–Planning was an eye opener regarding the backgrounds of participants.

–Planning was a great experience. Energy, positive-relationships developed. Strength of process was the relationship building ...passion regarding the project...contagious. Events were made by the people...fabulous art, music, food, dance. Cooperation excellent...great attendance made it all happen–come together.

–Very positive; liked Susan’s procedure...went about it the right way. Great staff follow-through...classy...unique...brought people in that otherwise would not have been exposed to this kind of process.

Question 2 In your opinion, what was the best thing(s) about the planning process

Verbatim Answers:

–Getting the right people together.

–Built from museum/hospital to wider community. Each meeting grew and grew. Core developed over time. Good word-of-mouth.

–Cooperation...commitment to larger goal...friendly...teasing. Spirit was positive.

–Open...inclusive...trust...bonding...new relationships.

–Sharing ideas...being together.

–Able to work together...reach consensus. Meetings lasted too long.

–Diplomacy...everyone kept an open mind–really listened to each other.

–Willing to trust other’s abilities and observations. Open and relaxed atmosphere really worked. Willingness to risk was good. Cultural overtones caused need to trust. No one dropped the ball.

–Well organized. Good representation from the Hispanic community. Different countries–good. Anglos became greater part of the culture.

–Great attitude about the whole thing. Want to share, not close the model. Could be a model for other ethnic events.

–Involved people who are part of the culture and have knowledge beyond us.

Question 3 What was the best thing(s) about the event?

Verbatim Answers:

–People from the community actually came. Physical space became a true public space. Intergenerational participation. Activities well planned. A feast for all the senses!

–Fascinated by variety of crowds at individual events...showed diversity of Latino culture. Slight "tweeks" brought great results. Bringing in the Latino community was essential...expectations changed on both sides.

–Coordination of music, food, painting.

–Chance was an important element to the success of the events. Each event’s learning added to the success of the subsequent events.

–The people...their attitudes. Unexpected results: standing ovations; people coming back to subsequent events; intense visual participation.

–Diversity was great.

–Turnout was terrific.

–Brought diverse peoples together...connected local artists and children with a national exhibition...noticeable pride and celebration for those cultures featured. Extended broader community ownership in the institution.

–Music and dancing...identified diversity of Latino culture.

–People who came. Events were truly festivals: food, art, music, etc.

–Achieved goals to: Expose the general population to Hispanic culture; expose different Latin cultures to each other and to the arts; and great selection of performers, food and music.

--They brought in people who had never been in a museum before. You could read surprise on their faces. The Mayor and others attended to show support–that made an impression on the participants.

Question 4 What could have been improved about the planning process?

Verbatim Answers:

–Nothing!

–Internally at the Regional Museum of Art, staff should have done pre-planning and included program staff in the planning process. Whole process should have started much earlier...typical committee workings.

–Didn’t like weekly meetings but understood they were necessary.

–Greater geographic reach for attendees would have been good. Tracking or evaluation by participants would have been helpful.

–Nothing! We did well.

–Would have liked to see more focus on the local Latino majority–the Mexican community.

–Maybe better regular attendance at Planning Committee meetings.

–Museum planning staff didn’t communicate well with other staff.

–Nothing to change, really...maybe add drinks typical to the featured cultures

–We should have called folks who did not attend meetings regularly. Internally, we didn’t share enough.

–I think some of the younger Latinos learned a lot from the experience and the rest of us learned from them. I appreciated having the Afro-American/Hispanic point of view represented.

Question 5 What could have been improved about the events?

Verbatim Answers:

–More variety in terms of drinks.

–More focus on Mexican culture.

–Wonderful experiences.

–Not sure how broadly the promotional invitation process reached...tracking and/or evaluation would have been helpful.

–Nothing!

–More lemonade!

–Yet more diversity...South America lacking variety of food...more/better attendance.

–Some logistics, such as better lighting and more food.

Question 6 Tell me your feelings about the exhibit.

Verbatim Answers:

–Didn’t really like the genre of naive painting personally...did like the way it was exhibited however.

–Felt a sense of pride about the naive exhibit...achieved the sense of the people in the expressions. Local exhibit was of high quality.

–Great show...strong...diversity of work reflected diversity of Latino culture...kids work was strong...the call for adult work didn’t work.

–Exhibit was diverse...covered many years...represented works that were playful, represented family...were joyful...felt like a true festival.

–Loved it!

–Super. Kid’s work was great...chance to show talent, provided encouragement.

–Initially troubled by naive show...thought it would be looking down on the culture...but exhibit was wonderful in person–very powerful and spirited. Ramiro’s show was counterpoint to the naive show–it fused the gap between trained and untrained. Student show was important validation of family pride...built community among young artists...students could see results of Ramiro’s hard work before becoming famous.

–Very well expressed. Some Hispanic people learned that art is expression–not needed to be understood fully. Wish some artists had explained their work.

–Professional exhibit not suitable for younger eyes.

–Artwork fit well into demographics we were targeting. Great Kids’ work...knocked down stereotypes.

–Some folks didn’t appreciate the nudity in Ramiro’s works, but I did.

Question 7 How did the outcome of the planning process and the actual events meet your expectations?

Verbatim Answers:

–Had no expectations at first. At early meetings, people were loud–talking over one another, etc. It was fun...dynamic...prioritized creativity over propriety...no autonomy of thought...high energy...saw loud process succeed. Very synergistic group.

–Excellent...anxious to move to next projects.

–Far exceeded my expectations.

–Exceeded expectations. Had initial trepidation about so much work for so much money. It was a growing experience for the museum staff. The "chance taking" was good.

–Exceeded my expectations.

–Surprised at how well the plans came together...surprised at the crowds.

Question 8 How did the planning process get started and how did it change over time?

Verbatim answers:

–As time went on, we got more comfortable and exchanged ideas more freely.

–The trust level was high at the beginning and got even better over time.

–The Regional Museum of Art was partnering with other organizations. Susan called Reg Wagle at Memorial Hospital to explore a partnership since Memorial already was the sponsor of Kwanzaa. The Museum is interested in cultural diversity and because the Latino/Hispanic Exhibit was available the planning started there. Memorial liked the idea of the Latino community being an integral part of the planning process. This became, in fact, the most important element of the partnership.

–Cooperation improved over time. Community people and Museum people listened to each other. There was good follow-through by everyone.

–The diversity achieved during this process was better than some other committees I have served on.

–Trust was built. For once, everyone put bickering aside for the success of the event.

–Joint invitation and convening by the Museum and hospital was valuable. Self-facilitation in conducting the dialogue worried some people at first. Self-ordering chaos became "just-in-time" implementation.

–The process improved as people became better acquainted.

Question 9 What would you want to see happen differently if the events were repeated?

Verbatim Answers:

–Emphasize families a little more. Promote the events more personally–really talk it up among friends, especially the prominent Hispanics...more buy-in from ourselves.

–Expand on art...get more from Latino community, especially more adult art.

–Look for next project right away that this group can be involved with.

–Do it exactly the same way.

–Have a series of cultural festivals.

–The process brought forth the direction–we let the process create the end result. The process gave us a perfect balance–nothing to add, nothing to take away.

–Track attendees so we know how well the various cultures were represented according to the geographic targets. Example: Did we pull Caribbeans when we celebrated the Caribbean?

Question 10 What did you personally learn from the planning process and how do you know we did well?

Verbatim Answers:

–I learned a great deal about the distinctions between sub cultures.

–We did well because the planning committee attended the events and brought their families.

–We learned how to better use or highlight Museum space.

–People who attended expressed interest in wanting to learn Spanish and know

more about the culture.

–Hispanic "mixture" was largely unknown and not understood by Anglos in general...we showed that art is important to understanding this mixture.

–I developed a level of confidence to work with community groups and partner with a business–the hospital.

–Listening to a diverse group was a good learning experience for me.

Question 11 How/In what ways do you think the local Latino/Hispanic Community benefitted from the event/exhibit?

Verbatim Answers:

–The Latino people will want to see more art...they are proud that their culture was highlighted in this manner.

–Don’t know...hope it gives young people the chance to get a taste of their own culture and other Latino cultures...great opportunity to access quality art and professional musical entertainment.

–Opportunity to participate...share common interests with Anglos.

–Latinos had opportunity to accept each culture.

–Expectations by both Latinos and Anglos changed, and this will benefit the Latino community.

–Pride in their children’s art.

–Presence of a growing Latino community was acknowledged.

–Continuing effort for whole community to embrace the Latino community...healthy interest in this culture was stimulated.

–Kids really got into the art...felt comfortable...able to show their pride.

Question 12 How/In what ways do you think the community in general benefitted?

Verbatim Answers:

–Community has better understanding of Latinos as a people.

–Diversity in enjoyment of the arts...great achievement of diversity of cultures enjoying the arts, music, etc. together.

–Different cultures working together sets a good example.

–The community now understands there is a critical mass of Latino cultures in Michiana. The event/exhibit inspired newspaper follow up articles.

–The community should have a positive reaction...instead of being surprised at the success of the festival, it is now comfortable with the idea.

–Hope is that local citizens observed the richness and diversity of Latino culture...able to see the number of Latino people who contribute to our community.

–Opportunity to see positive side of cultural differences–family pride, energy, lack of sophistication not preventing enjoyment of the arts.

–Good for Anglos to see other cultures enjoying themselves in traditional Anglo institutions...makes us a better community.

Question 13 How/In what ways do you think the Regional Museum of Art benefitted?

Verbatim Answers:

–Got a new audience that rarely goes to museums.

–Received exposure...new attendees.

–Built relationship with Latino community...could increase the comfort level of visiting the Museum and Century Center.

–Benefitted by exposure to a new market...will create word-of-mouth acceptance.

–Family involvement was enhanced...intergenerational programming is beneficial to the Museum’s mission...young adults’ interest was unexpected but is very positive.

–Presented opportunity for uninitiated to be accepted, not overwhelmed by museum atmosphere.

–Regular Museum patrons seemed surprised and pleased...they obviously wanted to be accepted to join in the celebration. The payoff to the Museum was greater than the effort. Affirmed for staff that outside participation is vital–not scary...we shouldn’t be so afraid of criticism.

–Hopefully, the Museum will get new members. And hopefully, the Museum will consider diversity in its future programming.

–The Museum established itself as a true cultural entity in the community.

Question 14 How/In what ways do you think Memorial Hospital benefitted?

Verbatim Answers:

–Memorial staff that served on the Planning Committee will think about diversity issues as they plan other partnerships.

–Memorial will gain market share from Hispanic community.

–Hispanic people will be loyal to people who help them. This built awareness of what Memorial does for and in the community.

–Great stretch for the hospital to invest in the Museum...could lead to more partnerships/collaborations of the Museum with other potential sponsors.

–Good opportunity for Memorial to let Hispanic community know they are interested in them.

–Great example of theory being put into practice...healthcare and the arts can be mutually beneficial. Memorial didn’t exploit public relations opportunities like they could have.

–Hospital should have advertised this partnership so the Hispanic community would know how their financial support made this possible.

–Created an example of positive "warm fuzzies" for the hospital.

–A positive connection was established for the future.

–Don’t know.

Question 15 What happened that you did not expect?

Verbatim Answers:

–Nudity in the art exhibit.

–Cooperation...no turf wars...no competitiveness...good spirited.

–Whole thing was a surprise...a great unfolding for me.

–Success...given the short time line.

–Meetings were energizing. I was relating to people in a new, positive way...the human interaction was great.

–We built trust easily.

–Trust came rapidly.

–People who came once, came back!

Question 16 What is the one word or phrase which best describes your feelings about the entire experience?

Verbatim Answers:

--Explosion! Everything came alive.

–Pride. Rich diversity was celebrated.

–Excitement.

–Fulfilling...open-ended feeling.

–Fun...to participate...to be there...to meet people.

–Wonderful.

–Magical...moving and exciting...real.

–Pride.

–Excellent.

–Exciting.

–Good Vibrations!