Sheldon Scenarios

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External Environment
Structuring
Sustaining
Experiencing
Movements



Institute Showcase

Urban Community

Contemporary Bazaar

Art Expo


External Environment

Institute Showcase

The economy is stable and subtly stratified. The work environment is steady and stratified into 25% information and management workers, and 70% in service and some manufacturing. Income difference between these groups is significant.

Downtown development in both residential and commercial areas progresses. Development spreading out from the Arena finally reaches Sheldon. Country retreats and the nostalgia of small towns are popular escapes. New technology blossomed, then was quickly overrun by commercial interests and trash. Currently, internet techies still progress the technology, but it never took off for broad community and democratic discourse.

People seek cultural experiences that reinforce and develop their interests. Meaning is found in exposure to new forms and ideas. People value their personal objects. People associate mostly with other individuals of similar economic, religious, and cultural backgrounds.

External Environment

Urban Community

Businesses work to maximize profit by targeting upper income groups, government, and other businesses resulting in extreme economic stratification. Manufacturing moves offshore and value of commercial property plummets as economy is based on financial paper and information.

Work is scarce for 40% of the eligible population. The government gives credit for volunteering in community service organizations. UICA qualifies as a site for these credits.

Downtown becomes deserted as financial power centers move to Ada, Cascade, and Holland. Regional and local planning bodies are controlled largely by corporate politics.

New technology has grown under the control of big commercial media companies. However, access is expensive, putting it out of the reach of 70% of the population. Microsoft Network is the ultimate because it is seamless, organized, and composed.

People seek cultural experiences through which one gains a sense of place in community through material interaction with form. Meaning is made by focused engagement with material. There is a reverence for hand-made objects: crafts, weaving, pottery, and gardening are popular. People value family keepsakes. People associate within groups of similar social, religious and political beliefs. Radical political groups thrive.

External Environment

Contemporary Bazaar

Businesses work to maximize profit by creating many targeted micromarkets. Success in this approach hinges on effective prediction and control of consumers' interests. Choice is high and costs are low. The economy is fast and diversified. The world of work is process-oriented and individualized. People organize in professional firms and trade groups which facilitate protocol between trades and distribute projects to its members.

Zoning quickly responds to the market. Both the city and the suburbs experience continuous and quick redevelopment, with shifting phases of growth and deterioration.

New media is the focal point of culture and commerce.

People seek cultural experiences that refine individual interests. Meaning is found by developing one's interests through refinement of technical understanding. People value personal tools and technologies. People associate mostly with other individuals of similar professional and recreational interests. Many relationships begin on the internet. There is a strong resurgence of cultural uniformity.

External Environment

Art Expo

The economy is diversified, with quickly changing markets. The work environment is organized by projects. People work based on independent contracts and form crossdisciplinary relationships, teaming up for specific projects. Consequently income, activity, and schedules are erratic.

Neighborhood centers grow and diversify, including downtown, with a mix of commercial and residential. Small town and rural locations are popular options for homes and businesses.

New media has become ubiquitous: small, wireless, inexpensive and commonplace.

People seek cultural experiences in which new connections among people are formed. Meaning is made through progressive cyclical shifting from experiencing form to engaging in discourse. People value new policy. People associate in ever-changing and overlapping networks of contacts centered on projects, events, and activities.


Structuring

Institute Showcase

The building serves to elevate and illuminate art. The organization of the space is formal. The idea of the place is like a museum, or a cathedral.

The borders are permanent and hard between space that is open to the public, and space that is privately used by the organization.

The dominant priorities in the design are comfort, and the isolation of spaces from the elements to highlight the power of objects and performances.

Structuring

Urban Community

The building serves to house groups of people who are involved in art. The organization of the space is matter-of-fact. The idea of the place is like a neighborhood, a hall, or a plaza.

There is really no clear delineation between space that is open to the public, and space that is privately used by the organization.

The dominant priority in the design is the accommodation of a diversity of groups.

Structuring

Contemporary Bazaar

The building serves to technically support various programs. The organization of the space is dynamic. The idea of the place is like a combination research lab and a flea market.

There are both permanent and reconfigurable borders between the space that is open to the public, and space that is privately used by the organization.

The dominant priority in the design is the technical control of the environment and the support of programs in diverse disciplines.

Structuring

Art Expo

The building is art, both functional and meaningful The organization of the space is dramatic. The idea of the place is like an exposition center, a circus, or a country church.

The borders are variable and hard between space that is open to the public, and space that is privately used by the organization.

The dominant priority in the design is the minimazation of permanence to serve the maximization of movement choices.


Sustaining

Institute Showcase

UICA exists on the low rung of the upper bracket of a subtly stratified economy. It maintains a position that is independent of the market through lateral suspension.

The NEA budget was cut in half and grants are limited to institutions in traditional disciplines. State arts money is given in line-items to its flagship institutions. UICA is close to securing a line-item.

Funding is sought following an established logic for capital campaign and ongoing operations. A major named gift for the theater (perf, dance, music) space established an early momentum for the campaign. The open space is fully equipped to the specifications. The cost of heating the space is part of a large overhead that is fixed at a high minimum. Substantial regular gifts from foundations, corporations, and individual donors are essential to keep the building operational.

Corporate support is based on a belief by business that investing in the stabilization and illumination of culture is critical to a healthy community and market, both locally and globally.

Revenues need to be consistent from programs and limited commercial leases. They are essential parts of the organization's budget which is fixed at a high minimum overhead because of the design of the building.

Sustaining

Urban Community

UICA exists on the upper rung of the lower bracket independent of the market through support coming down.

The NEA was defunded after a protracted public debate over contentious projects (Òsexual content and questionable public performancesÓ). UICA was politically active in this fight.

Funding is not as critical an issue as projected. Overhead costs are low because property and energy are not valued resources in this economy. The capital campaign succeeded in funding to gain public occupancy for the building and then stalled. The government funds programs that provide activities for people.

Foundations, corporations, and individual donors give regularly to UICA as well as other social service and cultural organizations. While they give, people from the higher income brackets seldom come to UICA.

Corporate support is based on a social obligation on the part of businesses to share wealth with those not as well off, and to give people something to do with their time.

Revenues from leasing parts of the building are minimal because commercial property values have fallen. Bartered arrangements for use of space include storage, parking, and temporary offices.

Sustaining

Contemporary Bazaar

The NEA as well as public broadcasting was defunded. Anything of value should be able to survive in the market.

UICA crosses over with the market via technical and structural connections. Funding is based primarily on UICA's relationship to the market and to other businesses. Corporations test technologies to highly specialized audiences, while UICA gives early access to these new technologies to its constituents and experiments with their potentials. The Capital Campaign succeeded in funding a highly flexible state-of-the-art facility. To accommodate this flexibility the design of the building prescribes a high minimum overhead for the organization.

Corporate support is based on a relationship in which the corporation contributes access to new technologies in return for receiving access to focused test-markets.

Revenues need to be regular and consistent from programs and numerous commercial arrangements. They are essential to balance the organization's budget which is fixed at a high minimum overhead because of the design of the building.

Sustaining

Art Expo

UICA engages with the market through the creation of new knowledge, innovative organizational constructs and new relationships of idea and form.

The NEA gives awards to organizations and artists based on the the outstanding and exemplary quality of their work. It no longer gives regular grants in program areas. UICA is nominated often for these awards.

Funding consists mostly of underwriting and collaborations with business. A combined capital and endowment campaign was used in fundraising for the building. The capital portion (1/3 of the total campaign) generated the minimal funds needed to secure the building from the elements and fund the construction of initial minimal organizational spaces. The endowment (2/3 of the total campaign) guaranteed the survival of the organization and its mission, and provided a base for the ongoing evolution of the building.

Corporate support is based on inclusion in the community-based creation of culture, which generates new knowledge products and methods of presentation.

Revenues from programs and commercial enterprise are not critical to the survival of the organization. Program and commercial ventures are managed to offset each other in support of the level of activity the organization decides is necessary.


Experiencing

Institute Showcase

UICA is a mold.
Programs are produced by curatorial staff with support of advisory committees in each discipline who assist in implementation. The number of discipline areas remains constant at 4.

Programs are scheduled very regularly on a year-round basis. There is an exhibit opening once a month, 2-3 film showings each week, and 2 performance events each week. Publicity is focussed around a quarterly membership publication.

Staff is valued for their understanding of culture and art history and ability to curate, as well as for their ability to manage finances conservatively.

Volunteer and committee participation is mostly in a support role. Many of the participants really enjoy spending their time there, and helping the staff is a way to see things from the inside.

Experiencing

Urban Community

UICA is a net.
Programs are produced by groups who form around common social concerns and histories. The number of groups changes within the range of 3-9.

Programs happen irregularly depending on activity of the groups currently producing events. Events are not always publicized well, but there is always somebody doing something if you stop by there.

Staff is valued for their tireless time-on-task and ability to manage volunteers and hold the organization together as a community.

Volunteer and committee participation is plentiful. Many skilled people do not have full-time jobs and can't afford to be involved in their interests independently. The government gives credits to people who volunteer at non-profit organizations.

Experiencing

Contemporary Bazaar

UICA is a press.
Programs are produced and implemented by discipline-based groups who form around common proficiencies, media, and technologies. The number of groups has steadily increased (now at 12) in response to specialization within traditional disciplines and invention of new media.

Programs are scheduled regularly with weekly programming in each of the diverse program areas. Publicity is a monthly newsletter. Staff is valued for their technical knowledge and skill in many areas and ability to cross between disciplines, as well as for their ability to manage finances progressively.

Volunteer and committee participation is dependent on the organization's ability to acquire and provide the technology necessary to people's interests. It is difficult to get skilled volunteers to contribute to non-program projects.

Experiencing

Art Expo

UICA is a lure.
Project initiatives are determined by board and staff. Projects are created by collaborative community teams led by artists, and implemented by both the team and the organization.

Programs are organized in batches of events when UICA is involved in project creation and presentation. Other times the place is publicly inactive. Publicity is treated as an important part of all projects and is creative, timely, and engaging.

Staff is valued for their artistic abilities, both intellectual and practical, and the ability to work with diverse people in both ideas and forms.

Volunteer and committee participation is managed depending on the project. People's schedules are erratic, so they sometimes have large chunks of time to devote to a project. Other times they are totally consumed by work.


Movements

Institute Showcase

The vitality of the institutional structure depends on success in the capital campaign because it substantiates the organization by securing the permanence of the facility/structure.

A major signpost to watch out for is the organization prioritizing its institutional survival over the mission: emphasizing the stasis of its structure over its action in community. Indicators are economic, social, and cultural exclusivity.

Within the terrain of the 4 scenario, being at this location most precludes moving to other locations. The more successful the organization is in this scenario, the more it blocks the ability to move to other scenarios. It is especially difficult to move to Art Expo from here, although there is some overlap.

The form of the building embodies commitment to material permanence of structure. The implicit challenge is staying vital within the form, and maintaining against deterioration. The form nullifies actions and ideas that are not engaged with its structure.

Movements

Urban Community

The vitality of the institutional structure depends on the organization's ability to respond to and serve external social needs.

A major signpost to watch out for is the overstratification and separation of socially based groups. The existence of the organization is invested in the community at large. Indicators are: (1.) spin-off groups who leave to gain focus, and (2.) commitment to ideology of diversity and community at the expense of technique and clarity of cultural forming.

Within the terrain of the 4 scenarios, movement away from this scenario to any of the others requires kicking people out.

The form of the building embodies commitment to shelter and adaptability. The implicit challenge is in managing form as it relates to people and meaning, without precluding action. The form nullifies possibilities for meaning through isolated and refined individual experience.

Movements

Contemporary Bazaar

The vitality of the institutional structure depends on the organization's ability to respond to external technical desires and individual interests.

A major signpost to watch out for is the overstratification and separation between discipline-based groups: tensions between groups over the purchase of equipment and the reconfiguration of space for exclusive specialized requirements of particular disciplines. The existence of the organization is invested in the alliance between disciplines as well as allegiance within disciplines. Indicators are: (1.) commercial spin-off enterprises; (2.) priority of technical improvements is skewed toward programs with most success at generating revenue and attracting corporate underwriting; (3.) drive for ownership of space; (4.) commercial motivations for power; and (5.) commercial activities threaten the loss of non-profit status.

Within the terrain of the 4 scenarios, to move away from this scenario toward any of the others requires ripping tools away from people. It would be easiest to move to Institute Showcase from here, but would require demoting committees to an advisory role.

The form of the building embodies commitment to action and flexibility. The implicit challenge is in managing form as it relates to function without precluding people and meaning. The form nullifies ripe contexts for making meaning in the mix of community.

Movements

Art Expo

The vitality of the institutional structure depends on the success of the endowment campaign because it substantiates the organization through securing the perpetual continuance of movement.

A major signpost to watch out for is the predominance of theory over practice dictated by those in power. Indicators include: (1.) the organization losing touch with the community (no discourse); (2.) loss of interest by business in the practical possibilities of UICA projects; ( 3.) inactivity in working with material; and (4.) very infrequent programs.

Within the terrain of the 4 scenarios it is easiest to move from this location to any other.

The form of the building embodies commitment to freedom of mobility through material impermanence. The implicit challenge is staying vital without the support of form, and managing toward permanence. The form nullifies ideas and actions that emerge within the contexts of constraint, structure, or necessity.




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SCENARIO TEXTS
Institute
Showcase
Urban
Community
Contemporary
Bazaar
Art
Expo


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Sheldon
Scenarios