In the Spotlight:
Lauren Henriksen from Creative Santa Fe
New Mexico TechWorks had the chance to interview Lauren Henriksen from Creative Santa Fe. Lauren is the development and outreach coordinator for Creative Santa Fe and has years of experience with nonprofit organizations and community arts. Lauren explains how art and technology can be utilized to find creative solutions to critical issues in the community.
Name: Lauren Henriksen
Business/Organization: Creative Santa Fe
Where were you born: Galveston, Texas
Where do you live now: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Email: lhenriksen@creativesantafe.org
Phone: 505-288-3531
Where are you from and how did you end up in Santa Fe?
I’m originally from League City, Texas. I had access to and engaged deeply with the art programming within my public school education, which carried me into college at the Maryland Institute College of Art. During my education there I became very involved with the community arts program the school offered, thus gaining experience in a variety of nonprofit arts programs. Over the last few years I have continued my passion for making art and supporting the arts in various positions, leading me to Creative Santa Fe two years ago where I manage outreach and development projects. Santa Fe is the first place I have ever lived where everything I am passionate about is met and encouraged, and I have fallen deeply in love with this community.
How did your personal and professional background influence where you are today?
My background as an artist really ignited my passion for community work. I was always drawn to art, particularly contemporary art, for the way it put you face to face with new stories and perspectives. I have always been moved by the conversations that come from interacting with these creative glimpses into other people’s emotions and experiences. I believe that the arts have the power to connect us to each other and to open our minds to new perspectives, and that it can be used as a powerful community building tool in this way. This belief has fueled the programming I have developed around the country and in our community, where I strive to highlight the creative talent that exists to build bridges between people and to encourage creative problem solving around critical community issues.
What kind of work do you do?
Currently I manage the outreach and development programs at Creative Santa Fe. Through the outreach programs I work with community members and artists to create tools and resources to promote civic action and engagement around issues critical to our community. For instance, I have worked with science fiction writers and artists to encourage imagination of future of affordable housing and anti-displacement practices in our city. The creative medium of science fiction opens new opportunities to interact with this critical subject, and opens up spaces for people to imagine what solutions they see. I’m applying similar methods of merging arts and civic issues throughout the year. It’s a pretty fun job!
What business or organization do you work with?
Creative Santa Fe
Why did you decide to work in tech, or this kind of work?
Creative Santa Fe’s mission and practice very much aligns with my interests and practice. The organization truly believes in the power of the arts to shape positive futures, which is something I am excited to work towards with them.
Describe your perspective on technology and its capabilities for the future.
I think technology is opening really exciting doorways for new kinds of creativity, storytelling, and connecting with each other as humans. Through digital media, game design, film, etc. we can find new opportunities for connecting around important issues and backgrounds and perspectives. I am striving to highlight digital creative mediums through my community building work as we move into the 21st century.
Do you use social media? Why or why not?
Absolutely. It’s an easy way to build connectedness with groups of people, and to stay up to date with events and community news. I think social media really is the most important way of communicating in our current cultural climate. It’s also pretty amazing how it is strengthening social justice groups such as Black Lives Matter and the #MeToo movement, giving voices to those who have been traditionally underrepresented.
What advice would you give to younger people that are interested in entrepreneurship and technology or living and working in Santa Fe?
This is a really exciting time to be exploring how technology is advancing communities, and Santa Fe is the most incredible city to bring those tech talents to. The creative energy of the city, the deep histories of the people, and the new science and technology emerging from this area all combine to make an incredibly inspiring and meaningful place to live and work.
How has using technology helped you move forward?
New technology has allowed for me to find new people and new organizations working on the ground in critical issues i’m exploring. When they use social media, the internet, film and video, graphic design, etc. I can learn about their work and their stories quickly and in meaningful new ways, and then contact them to start building a relationship between our areas of work. It has made a huge difference in how organizations connect and collaborate to create positive change.
What role do you think technology will play in Santa Fe? How do you see Innovation as a part of our current or future economy?
I think most importantly technology can be used to connect new people to each other, and allow them to share ideas and experiences in meaningful ways. By building collaborative, digital environments to bring new minds and ideas to the table, there is opportunity to improve the wellbeing of our communities in a wholistic and equitable way. I am very excited for the future of how we communicate our creativity and intelligence through digital mediums moving forward.
Interview by New Mexico TechWorks, Emily Cole
Business/Organization: Creative Santa Fe
Where were you born: Galveston, Texas
Where do you live now: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Email: lhenriksen@creativesantafe.org
Phone: 505-288-3531
Where are you from and how did you end up in Santa Fe?
I’m originally from League City, Texas. I had access to and engaged deeply with the art programming within my public school education, which carried me into college at the Maryland Institute College of Art. During my education there I became very involved with the community arts program the school offered, thus gaining experience in a variety of nonprofit arts programs. Over the last few years I have continued my passion for making art and supporting the arts in various positions, leading me to Creative Santa Fe two years ago where I manage outreach and development projects. Santa Fe is the first place I have ever lived where everything I am passionate about is met and encouraged, and I have fallen deeply in love with this community.
How did your personal and professional background influence where you are today?
My background as an artist really ignited my passion for community work. I was always drawn to art, particularly contemporary art, for the way it put you face to face with new stories and perspectives. I have always been moved by the conversations that come from interacting with these creative glimpses into other people’s emotions and experiences. I believe that the arts have the power to connect us to each other and to open our minds to new perspectives, and that it can be used as a powerful community building tool in this way. This belief has fueled the programming I have developed around the country and in our community, where I strive to highlight the creative talent that exists to build bridges between people and to encourage creative problem solving around critical community issues.
What kind of work do you do?
Currently I manage the outreach and development programs at Creative Santa Fe. Through the outreach programs I work with community members and artists to create tools and resources to promote civic action and engagement around issues critical to our community. For instance, I have worked with science fiction writers and artists to encourage imagination of future of affordable housing and anti-displacement practices in our city. The creative medium of science fiction opens new opportunities to interact with this critical subject, and opens up spaces for people to imagine what solutions they see. I’m applying similar methods of merging arts and civic issues throughout the year. It’s a pretty fun job!
What business or organization do you work with?
Creative Santa Fe
Why did you decide to work in tech, or this kind of work?
Creative Santa Fe’s mission and practice very much aligns with my interests and practice. The organization truly believes in the power of the arts to shape positive futures, which is something I am excited to work towards with them.
Describe your perspective on technology and its capabilities for the future.
I think technology is opening really exciting doorways for new kinds of creativity, storytelling, and connecting with each other as humans. Through digital media, game design, film, etc. we can find new opportunities for connecting around important issues and backgrounds and perspectives. I am striving to highlight digital creative mediums through my community building work as we move into the 21st century.
Do you use social media? Why or why not?
Absolutely. It’s an easy way to build connectedness with groups of people, and to stay up to date with events and community news. I think social media really is the most important way of communicating in our current cultural climate. It’s also pretty amazing how it is strengthening social justice groups such as Black Lives Matter and the #MeToo movement, giving voices to those who have been traditionally underrepresented.
What advice would you give to younger people that are interested in entrepreneurship and technology or living and working in Santa Fe?
This is a really exciting time to be exploring how technology is advancing communities, and Santa Fe is the most incredible city to bring those tech talents to. The creative energy of the city, the deep histories of the people, and the new science and technology emerging from this area all combine to make an incredibly inspiring and meaningful place to live and work.
How has using technology helped you move forward?
New technology has allowed for me to find new people and new organizations working on the ground in critical issues i’m exploring. When they use social media, the internet, film and video, graphic design, etc. I can learn about their work and their stories quickly and in meaningful new ways, and then contact them to start building a relationship between our areas of work. It has made a huge difference in how organizations connect and collaborate to create positive change.
What role do you think technology will play in Santa Fe? How do you see Innovation as a part of our current or future economy?
I think most importantly technology can be used to connect new people to each other, and allow them to share ideas and experiences in meaningful ways. By building collaborative, digital environments to bring new minds and ideas to the table, there is opportunity to improve the wellbeing of our communities in a wholistic and equitable way. I am very excited for the future of how we communicate our creativity and intelligence through digital mediums moving forward.
Interview by New Mexico TechWorks, Emily Cole