Creatives-In-Residence

Program Designer, Creative Lead

Unrelated challenges often provide fertile ground for innovation. College students’ competing need to focus academically, work to pay for school, and develop professional experience combined with area organizations’ persistent need for affordable design and strategy were my catalyst for starting the Creatives-In-Residence program.

Created as a win-win solution for business and education, Creatives-In-Residence at Memphis College of Art is a group facilitated internship program. Under creative leadership, teams of undergraduates go into the field to provide creative services to regional companies and civic entities. Students develop real world skills, gain credit toward graduation, and earn competitive compensation all while building their portfolios and gaining access to a pipeline of post-internship employment.

Program partners hosting intern teams gain access to dynamic creative talent at below market rates without the sourcing, HR, and management load of employees and contractors. Key to the partnership is the facilitation role I played, guiding and mentoring the creative team while ensuring professional results and a positive experience. By taking education and experience into the field, the Creatives-In-Residence talent team program is raising the economic value of creativity in Memphis and developing a vibrant and vital workforce development engine.