Arts Midwest Podcast

In this episode of Filling the Well, Ananya Chatterjea and Marcus Young explore what it means for arts organizations to truly foster belonging—not just through access, but through embodied invitations and mutual recognition. They discuss creative strategies—from inviting audiences onto the stage to transforming physical spaces into sites of welcome—that center community, listening, and co-creation. Rather than simply being inclusive hosts, they model how organizations can become healing and transformative spaces. At Aspen CSG, we see this kind of intentional belonging work as essential to community well-being—whether in arts, rural development, or civic life—because when spaces invite authentic presence and agency, they open pathways for resilient, equitable futures.

Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group