097: CCIs: Small town vs. Metropolis

Catalyst is a Creative Industries podcast, from Chapman University. Each episode features Chapman students who have completed a Podcasting course through the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries at the university. Students who had no podcasting experience or technical ability in the genre before taking the course were able to contribute all the segments to Catalyst this season with the goal being that they will take this ‘hands-on’ experience and carry it over to the launching of their very own series. Each episode of Season 11 will feature one to two different interviews conducted by CCI students, exploring different aspects of the Creative and Cultural Industries.

Our second to last episode of Catalyst this season begins with an interview of the director of education and community engagement at the Hunterdon Art Museum in Clinton, New Jersey, Donna Deville, by Jess Blackwell. Donna discusses what her job at a local, small town, nonprofit entails and the stress that comes along with a limited staff post-covid. She also provides insight into the differences between small town and big city museums and why fostering a safe, creative space for the community is so important. The pair discuss some of the challenges of the position, but also why cultural institutions, even when smaller, are so important to establishing creative and cultural exposure to the communities they serve.

We close out the episode this week with Logan Dutra's interview with artist and graphic designer Angelique Francis. Angelique explains her thought process and gives listeners some insight into what has influenced her on her journey to where she is now, including her childhood, college, and post-grad eras. Angelique tells Logan about some of the highlights from her graphic design career, as well as expounding upon challenges she thinks are relevant for the listeners. They also go over what was behind Francis’ recent decision to move to New York City to further her career options. They close the discussion with a look at the impact that creative careers can have on an individual’s personal life and mental health, and some closing advice for those looking to enter the graphic design field or creative industries in general.