I wanted to start a revolution, using art to build the sort of society I myself envisioned.
-Yayoi Kusama
Arts & Cultural Advocacy
There is a role that the arts can play in every assignment. The artists and creatives in your community are what makes a place unique and strengthens an economy. Investment in sustainable arts and culture development has a proven return on investment for your business goal. With over 10 years of experience in strategic development and production, 12 Bees Creative has an expertise in understanding how partnerships with cultural entities or nonprofits benefit you.
OVER $6M FUNDED TO ART AND CULTURE INITIATIVES
SUPPORTED MORE THAN 250 ARTISTS, WRITERS AND MUSICIANS
SHARED THE ARTS WITH MORE THAN 500K PEOPLE IN THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION
CURRENTLY BUZZING:
THE LITTLE PATUXENT REVIEW
The Little Patuxent Review is a journal of literature and the arts, publishing poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction and artwork. Kellyn serves as the publisher and board member of the review, advocating on its behalf for its success and longevity.
HALF STREET CENTRAL FARM MARKET
12 Bees Creative manages the on-going marketing and creative for the newly opened Half Street Central Farm Market. The market opened in Ward 8, in Washington DC and brings in over 30 independent and local farmers and food makers. 12 Bees Creative pursued an Official DC Mayor’s Proclamation, which declares the 1st Saturday in May as Sustainable, Equitable Local Food (SELF) Day.
PHANS FOR RACIAL EQUITY
12 Bees Creative contributes probono marketing and creative services to the non-profit Phans for Racial Equity (PHRE), who has a mission to build anti-racist and equitable spaces, by engaging the live music community and industry. 12 Bees Creative designs the Indigenous Land Acknowledgements that are posted before each Phish concert, as well as, design work for communications and programs.
ARCHIVE:
MERRIWEATHER DISTRICT: ARTIST IN RESIDENCY PROGRAM
In 2018, Howard Hughes Corporation launched a 6-week long artist in residence program. The goal of the program is to invite up to four artists to the emerging district to create art in their medium. The community is invited to experience the program through events and workshops. Over $600K of funding has been provided to the program in three years. More than 2,500 people have engaged with the artists and exhibition. 12 Bees Creative is the chief program manager and development consultant.
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freshAIR
freshAIR was a one-day only outdoor art public art experience that featured the work of four artists, who had participated in the MD AIR artist-in-residence program. There were over 10 installations and activations in an walkable 20,000 sq feet event space.
Featured Artists: Amy Reid (MD), Ying Zhu (DC), Johannes Barfield (VA) Peter Krsko (WI).
PRIYA SHAKTI
Created by Ram Devineni, Priya Shakti is an augmented reality comic book series that features India’s first female superhero. Priya combats issues of gender inequality and violence. The series has had over 3M readers worldwide. 12 Bees Creative facilitated the 2019 launch of the comic series in the United States.
AIRBORNE
The AIRBORNE exhibition was a 20,000 sq ft technology and art spectacle that featured the works of four artists. Over 2,500 people experienced the exhibition and joined in a variety of family and cultural programs. Programming included thought-provoking discussions about being an artist, the future of AR, how to build a writing practice and more. The exhibition also opened in the morning to the community for kids free art play.
OPUS EVE
On the night before OPUS Merriweather, over 150 business leaders in the state of Maryland gathered in the middle of the festival grounds for a unique culinary experience. Ten award-winning chefs prepared a feast in the woods, while the guests entered a kaleidoscope of art and witnessed the behind-the-scenes of creating a technology and art festival.
OPUS CULINARY VILLAGE
The Culinary Village at the art and technology festival OPUS featured award-winning restaurants from Richmond, VA to Baltimore, MD, at Merriweather Post Pavilion. With over 15 options to choose from, the festival-goer could experience delights from around the world. Michelin award-winning salads to Peruvian arepas were paired with hand-made gelato and glow-in-the-dark cotton candy. 12 Bees Creative was responsible for the curation, management, and production of Culinary Village.
SYMPHONY IN DC MAJOR UNVEILING
In partnership with the Arts and Humanities Council in DC, Roadside Development commissioned sculpture artist Zach Oxman to create the first public-private commissioned public art. The three sculptures paid homage to three significant heroes of the Shaw neighborhood. The unveiling was the finale of a larger program The Voices of Shaw that was created to share the news about the commission and educate the neighborhood about its history. Children’s coloring books and field trips were hosted in the neighborhood schools.
THE PEARL
The Tower Companies delivered beginning of the first phase of The Blairs District, a 20 year master redevelopment. The first residential building The Pearl delivered on the company's promise to build a state-of-the-art living environment designed with the intent of improving the general well-being of each resident. When creating the brand and resident experience, the promise of evoking wellness was top of mind. For the building opening, Kelly Towles was commissioned to make an illuminated meditation circle. Guests of the opening event were welcomed into the building and invited to set an intention and reflect while in the meditation circle. Once back inside, the building was full of activities that imbued wellness.
MONROE STREET MARKET ARTS WALK
The Arts Walk features 20+ artist studios in Brookland, a neighborhood in DC known for its rich artist history. The artists varied in discipline and studio practice. When the Arts Walk first opened, it was critical to program the space with events that would bring the community in. During its launch phase, the Arts Walk became the new home of the Historic Brookland Farmer’s Market, a location for the Capitol Fringe Festival, a second programming stage for Dance Place, and a new destination to gather. Each programming element was unique to the neighborhood and addressed a community need.