Tips

1. Define who you are so you know your strengths, weaknesses and ethics

Many people will think of the ad agency model as what an ARRT! group does, but is that right for you? For our group, we came to understand that we weren’t designing ad campaigns or making logos per se. We want control over artistic license and freedom and we also want to create visual metaphors so the image can come first…then the words. Thus, we take into consideration and work off of what groups tell us (including wording of key phrases) because we want the banners to be useful…but we don’t let the groups direct the project. We want to reserve the right to shorten long slogans or tweak slogans to go with the visual metaphor. That said, if the subject seems difficult, we’ll get feedback from the group by sending them designs in advance.

2.  Communicate. Get a strong contact person in the non-profit group who is enthusiastic about your work and stay in touch.

Also, communicate within your own ARRT! group so that the non-profits’ messages get out to your whole group in advance and everyone can be thinking of ideas.

3.  Remind the non-profits to send you pictures of the banners in use (including TV coverage of demonstrations and press conferences!) if you don’t hear back from them.

Once again, ARRT! has constructed images that raise the collective voice for social justice, making complex issues visible.  Power to the paintbrush!

— Robin Brooks

Participating in ARRT! sessions is sort of like being on a terrific sports team.  There is an aspect of brainstorming then painting that forms a transactional community.  Collaboration for worthy causes strengthens bonds between artists, and the results truly speak for themselves.  I am proud of our works and glad to participate.

— Jean Noon