COMMON GROUND NEW MEXICO

Littleglobe believes that New Mexico’s wealth lies in the richness and diversity of its multi-ethnic, economically-diverse, and inter-generational  population.  By reaching across the boundaries that divide us, New Mexicans can build stronger and healthier communities based on a foundation of mutual compassion and mutual respect.

Littleglobe’s Common Ground New Mexico Projects revolve around collaboration and community capacity.  Littleglobe collaborates with members of diverse communities (ages 5-90) on large-scale creative projects that generate individual and community capacity, dialogue, fellowship, and community-specific development.

Each two-phase project, located somewhere in New Mexico, involves several months of collaborative work that enables community members to safely explore their identities, stories and common dreams as well as the difficult issues that divide them. Out of this shared experience, life-affirming connections are made, empowering the community to undertake a range of development projects in the areas of art, education, agriculture, economic development, health, and more. 

Phase One: Community Building and Fostering a Shared Vision (4-8 months)

• Select a New Mexico community based on research, travel, and communities assessment
• Collaborate with health care workers, community organizers, educators, civic leaders, and others for guidance about community issues
• Identify local artists and coordinators to serve as paid collaborators on the project
• Conduct weekly or bi-weekly sessions, for 4-6 months, with a paid community ensemble who creatively explore issues of identity, family, heritage, history and community
• Create a community “work” (installation, performance, festival, etc.) that reflects the stories, perspectives and dreams of the community ensemble
• Share the “work” with the broader community

Phase Two:  Nurturing Community Capacity (8 months to years-long commitment)

Engage the Phase One community ensemble in the process of identifying more concrete community needs (e.g., after school programs, agricultural projects, arts cooperatives, cottage industries, etc.)

• Help the ensemble identify 1-3 community projects that are of primary importance.
• Employ members of the ensemble to serve as local coordinators for development projects
• Provide and/or facilitate training in cultural leadership including dialogue, conflict resolution, program development and coordination, and fundraising
• Connect Common Ground New Mexico communities for mutual support, sharing of expertise, and inter-community projects 

To watch a video click here: http://vimeo.com/7294664