Introducing Pop-Up! A Toolkit for [fun, invigorating, life-affirming] Temporary Experiences
Download here for zero dollars.
I can't wait to share the fourth Community Arts Toolkit with y'all.
This guide offers an introduction to the nuts and bolts of planning for and pulling off a pop-up experience, be that an exhibition, a one-night event, an out-of-the-box community experience, or anything in between. Ideally, this toolkit will aid you in being thoughtful about every decision you make so you can squeeze the most mileage out of your event.
“Intrude” by artist Amanda Parer, Iowa City, Iowa, 2023.
What is a pop-up Event?
Well, unlike a mural or a sculpture or any kind of public art project that’s defined by material, pop-up events are a bit harder to rein in and define. For our purposes, let’s define pop-up events as having the following characteristics:
•public
•temporary
•unexpected
Community Puppet Parade, a collaboration between Brant Bollman, puppeteer and Director of William Penn University Theatre Arts program; puppeteer Andrew Kim; and William Penn University students and faculty. Oskaloosa, Iowa, 2022.
Why should I download a pop-up toolkit?
A couple of reasons.
One. The COVID pandemic of 2020 was a doozy. The silver linings that arose were that we all learned how to pivot, be nimble, and get creative. Brick and mortar stores turned to online shopping spaces. Permanent became temporary. Indoors shifted outdoors. You may remember.
And this trend doesn’t seem to be shifting back anytime soon.
Two. It may come as no surprise, but artists were doing these professional gymnastics way before 2020, often out of sheer necessity due to lack of space, funds, or other resources.
Mardi Gras Indians, Super Sunday, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2019. Traditionally on the third Sunday in March, New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians mask up and parade throughout the city.
So, whether you’re an artist who’s never organized a large-scale project or not-at-all-an-artist who wants to do something wildly cool for your community, the marching orders of this toolkit are to act like the creative genius that you are.
Inside this free, 40-page toolkit, you will find:
benefits of pop-up events
material, site, and space considerations
community engagement strategies
potential funding strategies
evaluation methods
a summary checklist
a best practices cheat sheet
loads of project examples to get your creative juices flowing
Vendor’s Village, Jewell, Iowa, 2022. Vendor’s Village serves to provide budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to have a tiny, inexpensive pop-up shop right in downtown Jewell.
If you decide to give this a shot, please let me know how it's worked for you. I love feedback.
And feel free to send this link to folks in your life who may be interested in community art projects. I'd sure appreciate it.
Want more community project ideas to put into action? Find the Community Mural Toolkit here and Yarn Bomb! A Toolkit for Community Fiber Projects here.