Collaborative Staff, from left: Carryn Golden, Heidi Segall Levy, Linda Dottor, Beth Miller, Haley Loram

In early April, the Collaborative staff had a visit from Christopher Lee Kennedy, who is currently traveling across the US working on a catalog of the “projects, ideas and stories from artists, educators and citizens at the forefront of collaborative and interdisciplinary practice” of applied aesthetics.

On the blog Artiscycle, Kennedy catalogs examples of art practices, frameworks and strategies that address common socio-cultural issues. He says that the Collaborative’s work “represents a model of social and civic engagement that should be embraced by every urban center.” We’re flattered and wish him the best on his project. Check out the full post by clicking on the quote above, and keep posted on the work of Artiscycle.

Times Like These Call for a Big Lebowski

In anticipation of our 13th Annual Bowling Ball, the Community Design Collaborative invites you to experience The Big Lebowski on the Center for Architecture’s BIG SCREEN. Enjoy this 1998 slacker classic as we celebrate with our Big Lebowski – Bittenbender Construction!

Bring your teammates from last year and size up the competition – and while you’re here get your team roster form! If you haven’t been on a team in the past, you can pick up a registration form and volunteers will be on hand to explain how it all works.

See you there!

Thursday, April 30, 6-8pm.  Seating is limited, please RSVP by emailing Carryn at email hidden; JavaScript is required by April 27.

When I asked Mary Anne Hunter what she liked most about Philadelphia, she described the “precious microcosms” that are the building blocks of the city. Although she grew up in the country, she has been a Philly resident for over 50 years, and her appreciation for neighborhoods and the impact that even tiny pockets of green space can have on the surrounding urban environment has made her a valuable volunteer for the Collaborative.

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The Collaborative’s Executive Director Beth Miller was interviewed for PennFuture‘s bi-weekly podcast, Voices of Pennsylvania’s Future, along with leaders from New Kensington CDC and Northern Liberties Clean and Green.

Beth tells the story of the Collaborative’s work with the Cedar Park Neighbors Community Association and Mt. Tabor CEED, and explains how the Collaborative’s services contribute to urban sustainability.

The Collaborative tabled at the Green Neighborhoods Community Resource Fair as part of the March 19th Urban Sustainability Forum: Growing Sustainable Philly Neighborhoods, What to Do in Your Community. The forum was designed to help Philadelphia citizens discuss ways to create more sustainable communities.

Skip Weiner, orginal guerilla gardener and founder of the nonprofit Urban Tree Connection. Image courtesy of Grid magazine.

Looking for something green to read?  Grid is a free magazine devoted to urban living and sustainability issues here in Philadelphia, and it has just released its fourth issue.

This edition of the 32-page magazine is devoted to urban gardening. Read the issue online, or pick it up around Philadelphia.

The Collaborative’s Philly Fellow, Haley Loram, wrote the cover story “Hold Your Turf” on the history of guerrilla gardening in Philadelphia.

The Energy Coordinating Agency has received a 1.1 $ million grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to renovate its warehouse in Kensington as a LEED Silver training center for green jobs. The grant will give a big boost to the $1.8 million project and Pennsylvania’s place in the emerging green economy.

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Nonprofits take many steps and different paths as they move through preliminary design to construction. Recent updates from several of our clients reflect the  stages in that journey.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Phoenixville is laying the groundwork for a fundraising campaign for church renovations. St. Peter’s has formed a Capital Campaign Committee, allocated funds for a pre-campaign assessment, and hired McIntyre Associates to conduct the assessment. “We are using the Collaborative’s report as a basis for all we are doing to moving ahead,” says Senior Warden Mike Logar. In 2007, the Collaborative provided a master plan for renewal for this growing congregation in Phoenixville. Read Full Story