In 2016, The George Gund Foundation looked to examine the effectiveness of “The Cleveland Plan,” the strategic plan that had been implemented by the Cleveland Metropolitan School District four years earlier. The Foundation commissioned Lisa Kessler to photograph Cleveland city and charter schools, and the project produced remarkable results.
In addition to the annual report design, N+S partnered with the Foundation, CMSD, and the Cleveland Public Library to create an exhibit that showcased Kessler’s incredible work and the unguarded moments she captured within the schools. The exhibition was a striking installation that brought to life the momentum of change felt across the District. It was recognized in 2018 by Graphis, the international bastion of excellence in design and visual imagery.
The Work
In 2016, The George Gund Foundation commissioned award-winning photographer Lisa Kessler to photograph Cleveland city and charter schools for their annual report. The report was devoted to examining the effectiveness of “The Cleveland Plan,” the strategic plan implemented by the Cleveland Metropolitan School District beginning in 2012.
The commission itself is nothing new; the Foundation partners with a fine art photographer annually. However, the photographs Kessler produced were remarkable. They captured the growth happening throughout the District, and demonstrated the unique approach to public education inner city educators had refined. The photos were captivatingly human—so much so that the Foundation decided to exhibit them.
"Kessler's skill enabled her to encapsulate unguarded moments of learning, discovery, perplexity, confusion, absorption, concentration, friendship and play."
— Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer
The Results
In partnership with the Cleveland Public Library and The Rogers Company, N+S designed the Changing Minds exhibition, which was open to the public from September 2 to October 28, 2016 in the atrium at Cleveland Public Library’s downtown branch. Kessler’s black and white photography was hung around eight large pillars centered in the atrium. Along the sides of selected pillars were large title panels as well as descriptions of the exhibition and photography. The panels were backlit with LED lights that subtly changed colors so that the exhibition was in a constant state of change.
From the balcony that overlooked the atrium, guests could see that the selected pillars spelled changing and that the word minds appeared on the floor.
The exhibition was a bold and striking installation that brought to life the momentum of change and, for this reason, it was recognized in 2018 by Graphis. The annual report website was also recognized by Graphis.
N+S designed wayfinding banners and monitor graphics that were placed throughout the exterior and interior of the library. Additionally, we designed a free catalog and postcards for visitors. Various traveling displays were also designed and placed in Cleveland Public Library branches throughout the city that fall.
