Hive Chicago
In 2005, the MacArthur Foundation established a grantmaking area called Digital Media and Learning (DML), focused on understanding how digital media impacts the way young people learn, play, socialize and participate in civic life. The work also examined how learning institutions might adopt new ways of teaching in the digital age. This led to the creation of "Learning Networks." The concept was piloted in New York and Chicago.
The Hive Learning Networks connected civic and cultural institutions to transform the way learning is experienced by young people. Member organizations that participated in Hive collaborated to create programs that are interest-driven, peer-supported, academically relevant, and used digital media to better integrate these experiences.
As director of the Hive Chicago Learning Network, my work focused on creating the operational model for the network; cultivating a member community of museums, libraries and arts organizations; and developing the Hive brand.
Through targeted engagement strategies, the Network grew from 25 organizations to over 40, and expanded beyond the starter cities of New York and Chicago, launching networks in Pittsburgh, Toronto and Vancouver.
Sample program resources
Hive Chicago program development (PDF)