FELLOW SPOTLIGHT: RICHARD CHWASTIAK
RICHARD CHWASTIAK
External Affairs Manager, Cape Symphony
Region: Cape & Islands
The 2023-2024 Advocacy and Organizing Fellowship cohort is a collective of arts and culture leaders, practitioners, and activists from distinct communities across Massachusetts. While they spend the year incubating and implementing plans to address the unique needs of local or statewide creative communities, MASSCreative is proud to share their reflections on their projects and learnings.
This reflection is offered by fellow Richard Chwastiak. Richard is the External Affairs Manager at Cape Symphony and using his fellowship experience to develop a toolkit for towns and cities to leverage performances to promote cultural equity in tourism and solutions to the housing crisis.
REFLECTION FROM RICHARD:
As a musician, arts leader, advocate, and entrepreneur, my journey with the MASSCreative fellowship has been nothing short of transformative. The opportunity to work on a project that directly addresses the needs of my community has been both rewarding and enlightening. My proposed project, deeply rooted in the heart of Cape Cod and the Islands, aims to tackle two pressing issues that are intrinsically connected: cultural equity in tourism and the housing crisis.
Spearheading the development of “Cape Symphony Presents” (CSP), a concert promotion arm of Cape Symphony, has been a remarkable journey. Under my guidance, CSP has booked over 20 acts in 10 communities across Cape Cod and Nantucket, reaching over 3,000 new audience members. My strategic approach to community outreach and programming has significantly increased audience engagement and facilitated crossover into other business units of Cape Symphony.
Through the CSP program, we are amplifying the importance of Bills H.3244/S.2194, which seeks to establish a program to increase cultural equity in tourism promotion and marketing in Massachusetts. By organizing dynamic performances by local acts representing diverse communities and demonstrating the need for such an initiative, we illustrate how this legislation can spark a cultural renaissance. This project is not just about music; it’s about weaving a tapestry of inclusivity and belonging that resonates with every note played.
In collaboration with Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC) and Housing to Protect Cape Cod (HPCC), we are leveraging the emotive power of music to highlight the challenges of attainable housing.
“A concert at the Cape Symphony Falmouth Campus will feature performers directly impacted by the housing crisis, incorporating housing statistics in a story-like and artistic fashion to inspire empathy and action. This initiative aims to catalyze a movement for change by activating concert attendees to pledge their participation in town meetings and local government through email collection, using art as a powerful tool for social activism.”
This project addresses the direct needs of our community by promoting cultural equity and raising awareness about the housing crisis. By engaging local artists and highlighting their stories, we foster a sense of community and shared purpose. The collaboration with HAC and HPCC ensures that our efforts are aligned with existing initiatives, amplifying their impact.
Looking ahead, I envision this project growing sustainably through continued collaboration with local organizations and community leaders. By developing a replicable framework and toolkit, we can empower other towns to host similar events. Securing diverse funding sources, including sponsorships and partnerships, will be essential for long-term success. The support from MASSCreative, ticket sales, and contributions from our program budget will ensure we have the resources needed to achieve our goals.
The MASSCreative fellowship has sharpened my community organizing capacity and advocacy skills. The bi-monthly sessions with experienced organizers, artist leaders, and advocates have provided invaluable insights. The fellowship’s emphasis on research, training, and peer feedback has equipped me with the tools to develop a robust advocacy campaign. Workshopping my project with the cohort and receiving constructive feedback has been crucial in refining my approach.
To conclude, this project is more than just an initiative; it is a testament to the power of music and the arts to drive social change. With determination, collaboration, and community support, I am confident that we can create a brighter, more equitable future for Cape Cod and the Islands.
Let’s connect!
IG: https://www.instagram.com/capesymphony_presents
FB: https://www.facebook.com/capesymphonypresent
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-chwastiak/
Website: https://www.capesymphony.org/cape-symphony-presents
Cape Symphony Presents Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/cape-symphony-presents-63121830343
