Community Initiatives
Fostering a sense of belonging. Making art a part of everyday life.
The Harrison Center connects people to culture, community, and place. We encourage individuals of all ages and backgrounds to experience the power of art in their personal lives and neighborhoods.
Through arts-driven cultural development, we create opportunities for new and long-term neighbors to connect with and celebrate their shared cultural identity, histories, and community.
Polklore Micro-Museum
Visit the Polklore Micro-Museum, a celebration of the story of the Polk Dairy and its neighbors. The museum engages the public in a conversation about cultural preservation, employing four approaches: neighbor co-creation, art assemblage, immersive experiences through technology, and a residency experience for artists and entrepreneurs.
Greatriarchs
Get to know the Greatriarchs, long-term residents of the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood who are leaders, nurturers, mentors, and friends to the old and new residents of their neighborhood. This multifaceted project includes monthly Greatriarch Gatherings, a Greatriarch portrait series, an award-winning short film, art classes, and weekly Storytelling Drawing Sessions.
Porching
Gather on your porch with friends and neighbors to share food and drink and cultivate a sense of community. Porching promotes togetherness and strengthens local ties, creating a welcoming atmosphere for social interaction and celebration.
Place-Based Residencies & Fellowships
Discover our Place-Based Residency and Fellowship programs, where we cultivate an environment of collaboration and innovation. We offer artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs the opportunity to create work, engage with the community, and build connections.
Cultural Entrepreneurs
Explore how the Harrison Center impacts youth through our Cultural Entrepreneur Program. We are developing the next generation of leaders by teaching interns to follow a five-step framework: see a need, take a risk, leverage resources, invest energy, and network to build culture in the city.
Martindale Brightwood QoL Plan
View the Martindale Brightwood Quality of Life Plan and let us know what resources you have to share with the neighborhood. The Harrison Center serves on the board for MOVE Martindale Brightwood and as the Arts and Culture Committee's “goal captain.” Help us support the committee and provide resources to ensure the plan's success.