In an interview with Yale Ventures, Calida Jones, Managing Collaborator of Creative Evolutions, shared insights about her journey and the inception of her organization. A multifaceted creative—violinist, strategist, educator, and activist—Jones' path to founding Creative Evolutions was driven by a desire to radically disrupt traditional practices in leadership and organizational management, especially in the realms of equity and inclusion in the arts. She describes how she and co-founder Doug forged a strong partnership, building a consultancy focused on innovative strategies and intentional values, while challenging the status quo in arts and cultural institutions. Their shared vision has been pivotal in creating an unapologetic space for driving systemic change through bold, thoughtful initiatives.

Calida will be the arts keynote speaker at the 2024 Yale Innovation Summit. 

Could you share a little about your background and the journey to founding Creative Evolutions?

Sure! I’m a multi-hyphenate creative black woman. I’m a musician (violinist by training), creative strategist, music educator, entrepreneur, community uplifter and activist, an aunt, niece, great-niece, bonus daughter, daughter, and granddaughter. The journey to creating Creative Evolutions came out of a need to radically disrupt the way organizations find new leaders for positions, how finances are managed, uplifting Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility with intentionality, and showing people in action financially how much their labor is appreciated. Doug and I met when he hired me to work alongside him at a national consulting organization. We immediately clicked, and worked very closely together challenging organizations to think differently. As we continued working together, we discovered very quickly that a lot of our values aligned beautifully, and we needed space to do what we’re doing now unapologetically and without permission from others. We both took an unprecedented leap of faith off the cliff of dreaming in action. I called him the day after I landed and said “Doug, what are you doing?” His response: “Whatever you say we are doing!” Out of that moment came Creative Evolutions!

Could you share the inspiration that led you to launch Creative Evolutions?

That’s such an interesting question because our approach is very organic. Many of the strategies we’ve implemented came out of deep conversations we’ve had, and from our past experiences working in various arts and culture organizations. Something I’m deeply passionate about is ensuring that we have as many voices and perspectives as possible whenever we are in dialogue. Out of those conversations have come brilliantly different innovative strategies such as the Strategic pathways process we incorporate into our Living Visioning (Strategic Planning), Board Evolution (Board Development), and Executive Search. We also take from our lived experiences, and unpack some of the poorly structured systems, and reimagine how processes can serve and support the people working within these organizations. Then we experiment. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t! The beauty of this approach is we get to try again every single day. There’s not a special recipe. We just have lots of ideas, and want to share them anywhere where people will listen, and activate!

What vision does Creative Evolutions hold for arts institutions, and how are you working to shift the paradigm to better support innovative arts making?

This is a heavy lift. We are talking about centuries of institutional ideas, and practices that have been centered for longer than we’ve been alive. ‘Some’ of these practices can work however, if there are barriers for people to participate, or become a part of an institution and what they offer, are we really doing anything differently than the status quo? In my opinion, No. We are upholding principles that serve a certain subset of people. I imagine a world of uniquely different cultural incubators where people can activate visions that are aligned with inclusion, and accessibility. Creative Evolutions does not work with everyone. We are not willing to compromise our values for money. We don’t always get it right, but we work to shift the paradigm by saying “No” to places who are comfortable staying where they are. Change is hard. Change is not always popular. To not change though is to eliminate countless humans who have vision and nowhere to activate it. We work intentionally to hold organizations accountable for how they show up in their communities. We actively have uncomfortable conversations around if their mission and values align with the reality of their situation. We might be chipping away at the paradigm a little bit, but there is still so much to do!

Why do you believe Connecticut is a prime location to spearhead an artistic revolution?

I believe you can spearhead artistic revolution anywhere. As a long-time resident of Connecticut, I’ve spent the bulk of my time here building relationships and unique ecosystems of relationships. Since I’ve had the opportunity to relationship-build, I do believe we are poised to activate a revolution of how arts are valued in our state. There is a profound level of sacrifice that needs to be activated in order for this revolution to live past my years. There is a deep level of de-centering one’s self in order to achieve a revolution. If you look back in history, many pioneers of revolutionary change traveled a lonely path in order to uplift and center other people ahead of themselves. I see that as a responsibility I carry. If I’m in a position of power, or in rooms where power lives, I have a responsibility to utilize myself to move other people forward. I have a responsibility to activate other people’s power to move a revolution that is reflective of the communities that will be affected by these shifts. We are in a pivotal moment where some people will naturally have to move out of the way, or be excused from the table. This is one of the ways I could imagine a pivotal shift where all types of creatives and multi-hyphenate folks can be elevated and lauded for the contribution to the arts and culture ecosystem of Connecticut.

5. Is there a particular work of art that has inspired you to think differently? Could you please tell us about it?

A work of art…hmm my life? I see life as a piece of art actually. One dream I have is to have a conversation with a visual artist while they create something real time. I would share the pieces of my journey through life as a creative human. There are many people who believe they know someone (myself included). When you hear their actual story, I believe the outcome of that painted canvas would look far different from the assumptions and ideas that we’ve curated. I know this isn’t the response you’re necessarily looking for, so I’ll share another work of art that continues to inspire me. My friend André Rochester who is a Visual artist based in Connecticut painted a portrait of Sojourner Truth. The portrait is titled “To Freedom”. I’m constantly on the road of To Freedom. I want us all to be free. Free to think differently, free to not live to work, free to dream, free to love, free to have abundant joy. That portrait emulates that for me. André’s work is incredible, and someday I’ll have that portrait hanging at my house. I’m focused on freeing as many people as possible, and that portrait gives me inspiration, and fight to keep pressing on.

What should attendees expect from your participation in the arts track at the Yale Innovation Summit? Why do you think interdisciplinary events like this are important to the arts ecosystem?

Attendees should expect tons of laughter, discomfort, joy, and moments to draw on your own experiences. They can expect to be challenged, excited by possibilities, and wrapped in radical love. Events like this are so important to the arts ecosystem. We have a lot of work to do dismantling barriers of access to real continuous funding, spaces to curate art, and moments to breathe and live art. My hope is that attendees will walk out recharged, and ready to activate change, no matter how difficult it is. Let’s innovate! 

Register here to see Calida join 160 speakers on May 29 and 30 at the 10th Annual Yale Innovation Summit.