SUSAN'S IDEA: I'm developing street art tours around the world through my platform ChasingStreetArt.com
Looking for advice on how to take our tour proof of concept and scale this idea across North Africa in the next year.
+ What is your name?
Susan B.
+ Where are you located?
The United States, Morocco
+ In one sentence, tell us about your idea.
ChasingStreetArt provides a variety of curated tours that engage visitors in contemporary culture through the use of street art, contemporary artists and artisans, and hidden gardens. Our Street Art tours, run by local operators and guides, aim to increase understanding of both contemporary and historic culture, societal issues while accruing economic benefits to local communities. Go to ChasingStreetArt.com for a view of our approach and offerings.
+ Describe your ideal collaborative partner or partners.
We would like to engage with partners who are interested in the role tourism can play in extending understanding between cultures. We are actively looking for partners to extend the reach of our current advertising and social media through collaboration, most specifically those who work with gardens, artists, and contemporary artisans in North Africa. We are interested in expanding into corporate training and sponsored tours during professional meetings.
+ What is the most immediate or most pressing challenge you're facing right now?
Our biggest challenge now is to attract clients by getting the word out about these outstanding and relevant tours. We are open to working with tourism and business organizations.
+ What is it about your idea that makes you feel good?
I am very jazzed by the thought that we could use a growing inclusive art movement and local partners and contractors to provide people with a greater understanding of our differences and similarities. ChasingStreetArt can help with local employment, expand employment diversity, provide opportunities for women, and increase the cultural understanding of those who engage in the tours. When we travel for fun or are sent abroad as employees, we can often feel at sea with little insight into the norms and values of the culture in which we find ourselves. Many of us have tried to understand a different culture through books, cultural guides, and tours. ChasingStreetArt suggests more encompassing approach, that of being guided specifically though the Street Art in a region and engaging in a conversation about what it may say about the current culture. As an example, I recently returned from Morocco where I spent 2 weeks immersed in looking for and at street art in 5 cities. As opposed to other means of learning I found the following: the importance of sports teams in everyday life, the ways COVID-19 was viewed, differences in expectations of men and women in society, and the importance of the role of the monarchy.
+ Who will benefit the most from your idea?
Local tour operators and their guides will be the primary beneficiaries of this approach. I anticipate that with a collaborative partner or mentor we can develop a corporate approach through which all will share in the corporate profits.
+ Ideally, when would you launch this idea?
Chasing Street Art is currently operating with tours aimed at introducing travelers to Morocco’s outstanding street art, festivals, tea with artists, and garden visits
+ What makes your idea innovative? Why has no one ever done it before?
In the past 15 years, many urban and some rural locals have begun to use street art to promote development. The art can creatively depict an historical context, public health, environmental, social justice, political messages, and just plain good fun. Local tours are sometimes available. However, in surveying tour operators, I have not found one that includes this type of tour combined with issues discussion. Perhaps there is a perception that it is not needed, of no interest to their clients, or that there is not enough time in the schedule. Booking tours is complicated and creating a tour that combines movement around a city, with knowledge of the art is more difficult. ChasingStreetArt will provide them with a fully conceived and staffed curated street art tour that gives insight into the community.
+ Indicate which UN goals your idea relates to?
Responsible Consumption and Production
Gender Equality
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Sustainable Cities and Communities
No Poverty
+ At Sigmund, we are interested in ideas at the intersection of People, Planet, and Profit. How does your idea relate to these three categories?
Related UN Goals: Goals 1,5,8, and 10 can be directly addressed by ChasingStreetArt
Goal 1: No poverty. Chasing Street Art is committed to a revenue and compensation model that rewards at the local and individual level. As we grow it is the intentional that all employees will have a stake and say in the company. Until that time the use of local talent in what country we are working in will enrich the local economy.
Goal 5: Gender equality. ChasingStreetArt can assist women obtain equality and work within the social mores of the country. As we grow, we will identify tasks and job responsibilities that can be undertaken by women, working always for greater equality. As with their male counterparts they will have a stake in the company.
Goal 8: Chasing Street Art can contribute to a sustainable tourist economy in a region. The growth of an industry and company that looks toward multiple types of engagement with the local community and culture will provide more decent work opportunities for both men and women.
Goal 10: By combining art, culture and economic opportunity for men and women in the tourist sector of a region can being about increased community development. Currently there are many examples of a Street Art project revitalizing a community. Increased activity combined with directed tourism will provide economic opportunities for our employees and the community in which they live.
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