NorthernLights.mn
“It’s a challenge for any nonprofit to move from being founder-led to its next stage. OCW has been so helpful for me in understanding the unique position I’m in to lead my org into the future.”
— Sarah Peters, Executive Director, NorthernLights.mn & Northern Spark Festival
Northern Lights was at a crossroads in 2018. Over the years, this artist-centered nonprofit has produced magic on a tiny budget, manifesting the exuberance of the Twin Cities arts community in its annual Northern Lights Festival. As its founder passed the torch to a new leader, questions arose about the festival’s future and its ability to welcome and sustain relationships with artists of color. At this challenging moment, OCW had the pleasure of facilitating a Northern Lights board retreat. We used art-making as a visioning tool to explore all that the festival and NL had brought to the community and how it could empower more artists. Our relationship has continued in formal and informal ways, from hands-on support and encouragement to coaching and process improvement.
