Figure It Out!

Written by Ann Phillips.  Ann is a dance enthusiast and creative writer who works in the Patron Services department at COCA.

I’ve been at COCA for almost a year working in Patron Services and helping out in everything else. While the tasks that I face each day are varied, unexpected and sometimes strange (I once cut hair extensions to create a costume accessory for a West African dance), there is always one constant–the phrase “we’ll figure it out.”

The process usually starts with “What if?” or “Could we?” which leads to “Have you considered?” and “We’ll figure it out.” Finally, “Done!” It’s an open canvas of dynamic problem-solving for questioning assumptions and testing ideas.

To illustrate this fluid, collaborative process is the Patron Services photo story project. It started with my asking, “What if we shared our patrons’ wonderful stories?” The Director of Operations chimed in, “Could we post a picture of the day on our front lobby monitors?” My Patron Services colleagues asked, “Have you considered an interesting tag line?” We played around with titles, posted some pictures and improved the design, all the while figuring it out. We didn’t form a committee or conduct a study. We simply asked a question at the front desk and through impromptu conversation shared ideas to finally come up with an end product. With a distinct title and design, the photo story is updated a few times a week and features the unique stories of our patrons.

This “can do” mantra is part of our history. When Richard Baron came to executive director, Stephanie Riven, in 1987 to begin COCA’s programming, he asked for summer arts classes. It was March. Stephanie said, “March is too late.” Richard said, “Do it anyway.” So she did it anyway, and that was the beginning of COCA.

At COCA, it’s important to move around the barriers and get the job done. It’s an exciting process to participate in, and one that’s served COCA well in its rich history.