ArtRise Projects principal Marnie Burke de Guzman worked with several Smithsonian museums and cultural organizations to consider the feasibility of a pop-up exhibition and community programming series to take place in variety of national venues. Collaborating with a project team made up of leaders from the National Portrait Gallery, The Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, and the Provost’s Office, Burke de Guzman developed a range of exhibition program scenarios as well as operational models. The purpose of the Feasibility Study was to guide and build consensus among project leads as they considered the strategic relevance of this effort in the context of profound cultural changes driven largely by rapid shifts in technology, social demographics, and related audience expectations.

To test the program models, ArtRise facilitated several design charrettes for the Smithsonian in San Francisco, convening potential project partners and arts and design leaders to consider resonance and impact, opportunities for growth, and increased competition in the nation’s cultural sector.