Throughout my placement, I’ve had the opportunity to immerse myself in various aspects of event planning and organization, community engagement, communication, and data management. Weeks 5 and 6 witnessed more growth in my journey.

During this stage, my role in event planning and organization became increasingly integral. I crafted checklists for artwork drop-off, the opening reception event, and artwork installation, realizing the critical importance of organization and attention to detail in ensuring the seamless execution of these events. Through this process, I learned to anticipate and address potential challenges proactively.

Effective communication emerged as a cornerstone of my role during these weeks, including coordinating with different stakeholders: schoolteachers, sponsors, and award juries, I honed my ability to convey information clearly. These interactions strengthened the collaborative spirit and broadened my understanding of effective communication strategies in diverse contexts.

Extracting data from the back-end and organizing the information for project management purposes presented unique challenges, including ensuring accuracy and accessibility responsibilities during weeks 5 and 6. I developed efficient data management practices that streamlined our processes and enhanced overall productivity.

Weeks 5 and 6 also afforded me the opportunity to deepen my community engagement efforts when we started re-activating community feedback, drafting mentorship frameworks and artist open calls, and finalizing graphics for the Royal York project.

As I find myself approaching the key timeline for 2024 EDGE: Youth Art Show in two weeks, I can’t help but pause and reflect on the enriching experiences I’ve encountered thus far. Each interaction, task, and challenge presented an opportunity for learning and development. I emerged from these weeks with newfound confidence in my abilities, a deeper understanding of event management, and a profound appreciation for the power of community collaboration.

Moreover, Arts Etobicoke also provides a very healthy working environment where every team member supports each other. This collaborative atmosphere has been instrumental in my growth and development. Whether seeking guidance on a complex project or simply sharing in the joy of a successful event, I’ve felt welcomed and valued as a contributing member of the team.