SPACESHARE—A Case Study
Developing a Social Enterprise within a Non-Profit
Overview
SKETCH Working Arts engages diverse young people who live homeless or on the margins to navigate poverty through the arts. SKETCH believes that if young people can create and develop in the arts, they will lead radical and creative lives that transform our communities.
When SKETCH moved into their new space at Artscape Youngplace they did so with the vision of a social enterprise initiative being added to the organization. SKETCH moved into a 7500 sq ft space that was transformed into an arts facility with multiple speciality studios (screen printing, ceramics, culinary, audio, dance and wood working) and a large open concept event and project space.
SKETCH knew they needed to make the move into a bigger space to accommodate their expanding program offerings in response to youth needs, engagement and participation.
Problem
SKETCH knew they needed to make the move into a bigger space to accommodate their expanding program offerings in response to youth needs, engagement and participation. When SKETCH committed to take the leap to move into the Artscape Youngplace building they also knew they would need to explore how social enterprise could establish a new stream of revenue within their nonprofit charitable organization.
Role
I was hired to support the final stages of construction and to develop their social enterprise strategy through launch, operationalization and scale.
2014 to 2017 -> Social Enterprise Developer
Our Audience
SKETCH supports youth on the margins and creates space for them to explore, create and develop in the arts. SKETCH has a staff team of approximately 20 people, three Directors (Executive, Artistic, Program) and an active board of directors.
SpaceShare their main social enterprise allows for community members to do the same through event and studio rentals. SpaceShare clients rent SKETCH’s specialty studios for dance classes, audio production, ceramics sessions, culinary production, screen printing, wood working, and to host events in the fabulous open airy space. Most clients are small business owners or other non profit organizations pursuing a similar mission, yet on occasion large organizations looking for unique space would book out the full facility for galas or special events.
Process
At SKETCH I supported the initial operational set-up as they moved into a new 7500 sq ft space at Artscape Youngplace downtown Toronto. I then worked within the organization as an intrapreneur to build out a social enterprise that created new revenue for the organization called SpaceShare. I also explored new revenue opportunities for youth to engage in social enterprise and entrepreneurship within the arts facility.
I then worked within the organization as an intrapreneur to build out a social enterprise that created new revenue for the organization called SpaceShare.
Process → Outcome
Critical development steps are listed below in the process and impact table.
Developed and delivered on a social enterprise implementation strategy →
Responsible for planning, strategy and execution of new models of revenue generation through social enterprise. I reported to the Executive Director, Board of Directors and Social Enterprise Working Committee. In 2014 “SpaceShare” was envisioned a facility rental social enterprise.
Secured Funding and established new revenue →
Secured $100k in grant funding for development
Achieved the revenue target for SpaceShare in its 2nd year with over $100k in sales, inclusive of 50% of new revenue
Supported the final phase of construction and studio outfitting→
Working alongside SKETCH’s general contracting firm, architect firm, engineer and sub-contractors, I supported, from the client side, the final phase of construction including managing the deficiencies and studio outfitting of the 7500 sqft facility build-out and supporting the hire of an operations staff.
Supported the initial operational set-up of Sketch’s arts facility including procurement of complex studio outfitting.
Led development and operationalization of SpaceShare→
Took Sketch's facility rental social enterprise initiative called 'SpaceShare' from vision to launch and scale
Co-created the 'SpaceShare' brand identity and website with the an in house designer
Operationalized all aspects of 'SpaceShare' creating all processes, protocols and supporting forms for clients and communications materials
Developed a small team of staff to coordinate and support all rental bookings within the 7500 sq fit arts facility, worked closely with operations staff
Managed all customer service and partnerships for SpaceShare
I secured $100k in grant funding for development
Supported and explored various social enterprise and entrepreneurship opportunities across the organization at SKETCH →
Co-designed and executed opportunities for emerging SKETCH youth to be hired as: audio technicians and rental hosts
Co-designed and executed a breakfast pop up pilot with the culinary program
To learn more about SpaceShare from 2018 read this post by SKETCH.
