Small Town Big Stories interactive storytelling project was designed to enhance a sense of belongingness and community through stories in Wailuku, Maui.
Overview
Small Town Big Stories is the result of a yearlong collaboration between Maui Public Art Corps, Maui Historical Society, Small Town Big Art and the Center for EMDD in the Department of Journalism.
During the 2021-2022 school year, EMDD students partnered with Maui Public Art Corps (MPAC), Maui Historical Society (MHS) and Small Town Big Art (ST*BA) to complete the storytelling project in Wailuku, Maui. The team used design thinking to listen to the community and create a project tailored to them. Their project, Small Town Big Stories, focused on enhancing a sense of community among residents through storytelling. In the end, more than 2,000 storytelling cards were distributed around Wailuku. The cards included QR codes that unlocked digital storytelling experiences to encourage locals to talk story and generate conversations with those around them, travel to local landmarks to hear stories from local residents, and share their own stories with their community.
How it Started
EMDD graduate students Penelope Baggs and Ashleigh Goodrich proposed a storytelling project in Maui, Hawaii. Penelope was born and raised on Maui, and she wanted to use this project as an opportunity to give back to her community. Ashleigh and Penelope pitched the idea to their classmates, and six additional members joined their team.
The Small Town, Big Stories team traveled to Wailuki in March 2022 to collaborate with the community and complete the project.
The Purpose
The goal of this project was to implement a storytelling experience which aligns with the vision and mission of ST*BA, MPAC, and MHS. The experience expanded the Small Town Big Art placemaking project by creating an engaging and sustainability community storytelling project, resulting in a strengthened sense of community and belongingness and economic growth. To accomplish this goal, the team designed a digital interactive storytelling tool including questions, locations, and local stories to inspire users to share stories in a fun and engaging way.
The Project
The Small Town Big Stories interactive storytelling experience involved physical and digital cards with different prompts including storytelling questions, listening to stories, sharing stories, and visiting local places. The experience included the following values vital to the people of Wailuku: diversity, legacy, tradition, protection, hope, kuleana (responsibility), and belonging.
Storytelling cards. The storytelling cards served as the entry point for the experience, depicting local Small Town Big Art murals to draw attention to the project. The cards inspired locals to take a moment to start a conversation, by providing them with a story prompt, even before they entered the digital experience. The cards were printed and distributed around Wailuku businesses to encourage locals to take part in the experience.
Website Storytelling Experience. QR codes on the cards took users to a digital storytelling tool. Users were prompted with three options: “talk,” “go,” or “create.” The “talk” section gave users story prompts to encourage conversation, the “go” section provided the opportunity to travel to a destination to hear a story, and the “create” section allowed people to browse community stories and submit their own stories. The team created a video to explain the process
Introductory Animation
An introductory animation was created to introduce the community to the team and what we do in EMDD. This video was broadcasted through social media and the community presentation.
Presentation. Six out of eight team members traveled to Maui to present the project to the community. With over one hundred people in attendance during the presentation, the team introduced the experience, generated excitement in anticipation of the launch, and distributed the limited edition eighth card.
Project Promotion. Team members were highlighted on Small Town Big Art’s podcast and video documentary. View the videos and podcast to hear more about the team’s experience working with the project and visiting Maui.
Video: https://fb.watch/cERiP3iux_/
Results
Our Team
Our Project Partners / Sponsors
Maui Public Art Corps, Maui Historical Society,
Small Town Big Art
- Erin Wade, County of Maui
- Kelly McHugh-White, Public Art Specialist and Principal of Little Rhinoceros LLC
- Sissy Lake-Farm, Hale Hō’ikeʻike at the Bailey House/ Maui Historical Society
Digital Production: The Ball State University Digital Corps
Paper Donation and Card Printing: Spectrum Color Inc.
Contact Us
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Art and Journalism Building (AJ),
Room 300, Muncie, IN 47303 - 765-285-8229
- bsujourn@bsu.edu