CASE STUDY 03
SONGBIRD FESTIVAL & COLLECTIVE
Creating opportunities for artists through collaboration, professional support, and a commitment to equity and safety.
Project Overview
Songbird Festival & Collective emerged from a desire to address barriers experienced by independent musicians, particularly around professional opportunities, fair compensation, inclusion, and safety.
The initiative brought together creative community building, artist advocacy, event development, and visual communication to explore a more collaborative and equitable model for the local music community.
My contributions focused on creative strategy, branding, communications, and the design of materials supporting artist visibility, partnerships, and public engagement.
Newspaper Article about the first Songbird Festival
The Challenge
How might we create a more equitable and supportive environment for independent musicians?
Independent artists often navigate limited professional resources, inconsistent compensation, barriers to visibility, and unequal access to opportunities.
The challenge was to develop a recognizable, community-centered initiative that could bring artists and supporters together while communicating a shared commitment to opportunity, inclusion, and collaboration.
Two women artists performing at the first Songbird Festival in 2023
Research & Discovery
The initiative drew on experiences and conversations within the independent music community to identify common challenges and opportunities for collective support.
These perspectives helped inform the initiative's priorities, communication strategy, and approaches to artist engagement and partnership development.
Design for Songbird Festival 2026
The Vision
Create a collaborative platform that strengthens professional connections, expands opportunities for artists, and encourages a more inclusive creative community.
The festival and collective would use live events, partnerships, advocacy, and shared resources to connect musicians with audiences and supporters.
Songbird Artist performing at a paid showcase in Baltimore City
Creative Strategy
- Artist-Centered Design: Develop the initiative around the experiences and needs of independent musicians.
- Community Collaboration: Build connections among artists, venues, sponsors, and community partners.
- Brand Development: Establish a cohesive visual identity that communicates the initiative's values.
- Partnership Engagement: Create sponsorship and outreach materials that make collaboration opportunities clear.
- Public Communication: Develop coordinated print, digital, and event communications to strengthen visibility and participation.
Songbird Artists with community members attending a Tribute show at Maryland Hall
From Concept to Creation
The initiative required translating a community-focused vision into a recognizable identity and a coordinated set of communication tools.
I designed the logo, branding, website, promotional materials, sponsorship packets, press releases, marketing presentations, social media graphics, and event merchandise.
These materials established a consistent public presence and supported communication with artists, audiences, sponsors, and community partners.
Listening room stage at the 4th annual Songbird Festival
Outcomes & Impact
The project established a cohesive visual identity and communication framework for Songbird Festival & Collective.
Its branding, promotional materials, and partnership resources supported the initiative's ability to communicate its mission, promote events, and engage the broader creative community.
Festival attendees at the 2024 Songbird Festival
PAID TO ARTISTS
ARTISTS FEATURED
FESTIVAL ATTENDEES
RESOURCE & ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERS
Reflection
Songbird demonstrated how design can support community organizing and advocacy. Developing a shared identity and accessible communication tools helped translate collective values into tangible resources for collaboration and public engagement.
Core Takeaway: Supporting artists requires designing communities and systems that value creativity, economic opportunity, equity, and human connection.
Songbird Artist performing at a Songbird Festival