Studio Spring 2019
How might we make the Forest Theater an asset to the local community and to the city of Dallas?
CitySquare is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization originally founded in 1990 as the Central Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Food Pantry. CitySquare has since grown into a broad community development organization including owning and driving plans to reengage and support the Forest Theater in South Dallas. CitySquare’s mission is “to fight the causes and effects of poverty through service, advocacy, and friendship.”
TEAM:
Tina Barton | Mikaela Hawk | Kindra Knight | Campbell Konrad | Michael Murphy
This project began with seeking to understand how historic cultural spaces can be thoughtfully renovated to serve the surrounding community. This team proposed the following solutions be implemented.
1.Community as experts.
Develop a calendar of regularly scheduled community association meetings, local events and other opportunities to build relationships with local organizations that impact people.
Establish a consistent time for Community Listening Sessions that happens regularly, regardless of the number of people who are in attendance.
2. Relational, not transactional.
Meet with people and organizations multiple times to establish rapport and build empathy.
3. Co-construction as a tool for engagement. Shared theater experiences and tours. Elicit feedback from community advisory boards and local non-profits for collaboration.
TEAM:
Kiran Lakhian | Ginnie Roark | Cole Suttle |Keya Tollossa
This team prototyped a pop-up café and recommended the following:
1.Focus on unmet needs.
By focusing on unmet needs — a café, a place open before 10 AM, a flexible space — we were able to engage partners, which is key in collaboration and the long-term sustainability of the Forest Theater.
2. Flexibility fosters sustainability.
People want and use social infrastructure. They are invested in places to gather, use for events, or host work gatherings. Because the café was flexible, people came and stayed for a variety of reasons. Additional flexibility could ensure profitability and sustainability over time.
3. Visibility drives engagement.
Visibility is key. People want amazing things for the Forest Theater and are eager to be a part of it. That natural curiosity and investment is an easy entry point for engagement.
