New Sense Studios
When Haven House Director Mike Rieder dreamed of adding a new program to the multi-faceted services of his agency serving troubled youth,
he called the Caldwell Fellows. The challenge he set forth – to create a sustainable art program – became a service learning team project
of the Caldwell sophomore seminar.
Two groups began their work fall 2008 with the first phase of learning about the agency and its clients. One group provided after-school tutorial services
and began researching other models of art intervention programs, and assessing space, personnel and budget needs and resources.
The second group created weekly art projects for clients, each member taking turns designing and leading a project.
Team members evaluated each project for its viability in the long-term 'art center' plan.
The two teams hosted a charrette (“brainstorming session”) with staff and clients from Haven House and faculty from the NC State College of Design.
The charrette brought into focus the team’s endeavors, helping them to prepare a comprehensive plan of development for their vision of 'New Sense Studios.'
They presented this plan to the Haven House Board of Directors on December 4, 2008. Their vision includes sustainable engagement of Caldwell Fellows
in the leadership and substance of the art program. The momentum generated by this team has motivated the larger Caldwell community to select
the Haven House art initiative as the beneficiary for the 4th annual Benefit Gala held February 14, 2009.
Ongoing work seeks to cement New Sense Studios as a sustainable project of The Caldwell Fellows and eventually, NC State University.