Guaranteeing an Effective Project with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan (#121)

We usually start a long-term project with a specific goal or set of expectations in mind. Rarely does the project turn out the way we thought it would. More often than not, it's better than we had imagined. But before we can get to that point of admitting that the change might have actually led to an improvement in the original plan, we have to struggle, to question our assumptions or to ask for more help or more money. We recognize we can't continue working in the same fashion as before, and often we are forced to adjust to outside forces, like a worldwide pandemic.

In this episode of The Art Biz, I'm joined again by Eve Jacobs-Carnahan. She was a podcast guest over a year ago and has come back to offer an update on her project, Knit Democracy Together, which was developed to discuss the U.S. electoral system within the context of knitting circles.

Today Eve is sharing a look at how such a long-term project evolves. She outlines the 5 indicators she is using to measure effectiveness, and even if you don't have an art project focused on making a social impact, these indicators will be useful for appraising the successful reach of your exhibition, event, program, or teaching.

Highlights

• "It all took on a new significance." Eve's project changed after the 2020 election. (4:27)

• The reasons behind improvements in the knitting circle. (8:11)

• The mindset shift that created positive changes to the project format. (10:02)

• Eve's preparation helped secure her fellowship. (11:41)

• Collaboration changes and letting go of tight control over the project. (13:28)

• The topics that the project covers now are not the same as the initial intended ones. (19:25)

• 5 indicators to measure effectiveness in any project. (24:44)

• Applying these tools to measure other areas of success. (31:40)

• A look at what's coming next for Eve. (36:40)

• The evolution of Eve's expanded exhibition. (39:11)

Mentioned

• The Art Biz ep. 64: Knit Democracy Together (first interview with Eve)

• Priya Parker's The Art of Gathering book

• National Arts Strategies Creative Community Fellows

• New England Foundation for the Arts Public Art Grants

• LBJ speech introducing Voting Rights Act in 1965

• Eve Jacobs-Carnahan

• Knit Democracy Together

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Resources

• Show notes, images, and listener comments

• How to Price Your Art free report

• Art Biz Connection artist membership

Quotes

• "I have definitely let go of some control, and that's been good." — Eve Jacobs-Carnahan

• "I realized that I wasn't going to be as effective by myself." — Eve Jacobs-Carnahan

• "I'm talking about what people can do to help strengthen the system so we don't have chaos, all while knitting." — Eve Jacobs-Carnahan

• "Change can happen step by step, stitch by stitch and with many people working together." — Eve Jacobs-Carnahan

• "Artists who want to do social impact work definitely can be using these tools." — Eve Jacobs-Carnahan

• "Think about the people you know, think about your relationships with them, and be willing to ask for help." — Eve Jacobs-Carnahan

Guest Bio

Eve Jacobs-Carnahan makes mixed media knitted sculpture exploring democracy. She uses the comforting quality of yarn and the charming attraction of birds to tell allegorical stories.

Eve's work appears in Astounding Knits! 101 Spectacular Knitted Creations and Daring Feats by Lela Nargi and garnered First Place in National Fiber Directions 2015 at the Wichita Center for the Arts. She was named a Creative Community Fellow: New England by National Arts Strategies in 2021.

Eve knit away stress while earning a B.A. in History with Honors from Swarthmore College and a J.D. from the University of Chicago. She lives in Vermont.

First posted: https://artbizsuccess.com/effective-projects-carnahan-podcast