Trust Transfer Project
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ABOUT THE TRUST TRANSFER PROJECT
Presented by the Community Music School of Springfield and the Springfield Cultural Partnership
If you are a Springfield Artist of Color interested in participating in Trust Transfer Project 2022-23, please fill out this contact form or contact Vanessa Ford to receive more information.
Trust Transfer Project Featured in New David J. Sencer CDC Museum Exhibition about the Power of the Arts in Public Health Outreach. Read More about the “Trusted Messengers” exhibition on our blog!
TRUST TRANSFER PROJECT is a partnership between Community Music School of Springfield and Springfield Cultural Partnership, led by Program Director Vanessa Ford. This initiative allows our local artists to lead in health messaging that will directly impact the lives of their family, neighbors and friends, offering a unique opportunity for us to depend on one another to share and receive health messages in a creative and inspirational way. Initially designed to build trust through the eyes of the most impacted by Covid-19, Trust Transfer Project is also focused on community care centered around Mental Wellness and Food Justice by transforming the health of our communities one artistic message at a time. READ MORE HERE.
CHALK FOR CHANGE, the culminating event for the Trust Transfer Project, was a public art installation created by local artists of color that placed chalk art messages promoting hope and healing throughout our city. READ MORE HERE
“We hope to bridge the partnership gap among artists, the faith community, health institutions and community organizations as we come together in unity. Out of the darkness of this pandemic comes a shining ray of hope. Artists will be lifted up and encouraged as their gifts make room for them to create as they help in the effort to stop the spread of covid-19,” said Vanessa Ford, Project Manager. READ MORE HERE
Dr. Jill Sonke, Director of the Center for Arts in Medicine at the University of Florida & Senior Advisor to the CDC’s Vaccine Confidence and Demand Team on the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force
“Transfer Trust is an important example of how communities can leverage the arts and an understanding of trust – where it is lacking and where it is strong – to address critical issues, like the COVID-19 pandemic. The project has demonstrated that power can be shared, trust can be built, and artists can lead communities toward health and equity. I would love to see this model applied in communities across the country to build strong and enduring cross-sector partnerships that center the power of the arts and artists to build healthier and more equitable communities.”
Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris
“The Department of Health and Human Services applauds and supports any efforts to help reducing COVID-19 cases in the City of Springfield. Education and mitigation efforts are critical to the community if we are to continue to increase our vaccination rates and we applaud the Trust Transfer Project for their efforts that are in support of the City’s initiatives working to help build vaccine confidence within our community.”
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Jessica Collins, Executive Director of the Public Health Institute of Western MA (PHIWM)
“The public health and healthcare collaboration in Springfield knew that working together with the Springfield Cultural Partnership and Community Music School was a critical collaboration to educate residents about Covid 19 prevention. The Trust Transfer was more than we ever could have asked for. Our artists responded with authentic creative messages and art work that provided just what we needed. Collaboration between arts, culture and public health are a 21st century essential.“

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno
“Anything we can use through arts and culture as a ‘hook’ to peek our young people’s interest in getting vaccinated ASAP, I am all for. Health and Human Services (HHS) Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris and I fully support any efforts in working together to defeat this COVID-19 pandemic and to help boost vaccination confidence for our residents, especially our younger population. HHS Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris and I truly appreciate the Trust Transfer Projects efforts in providing much-needed and creative yet vital outreach initiatives and educational efforts on the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine, especially within our communities of Color. Through their efforts, the partnership led by the Community Music School of Springfield and the Springfield Cultural Partnership, have provide a voice and platform for young creative artists to help disseminate information about the COVID-19 pandemic and this life-saving vaccine that is now readily available. I want to thank the Baker-Polito Administration for their leadership in initially funding this program through Governor Baker’s Urban Agenda Grant. Special shout-out to Springfield’s own Vanessa Ford, Project Manager for the Trust Transfer Project, and everyone involved for their continued efforts in our community working towards mutual respect, hope and improving the public health and quality of life for the betterment of all in our Springfield.“



The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) partnered with arts and culture organizations to promote vaccine confidence and demand.
The Trust Transfer Project is highlighted under the project organization field guide for creating positive messaging, and “engaging artists as critical partners and trusted messengers in promoting vaccine confidence—for COVID-19 and beyond.” Click here to explore more field guides about “engaging arts and culture for vaccine confidence.”
DeVos Institute Announces SCP & CMSS as Partners in Pro Bono Initiative Focused on Social Cohesion through the Arts
The DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the University of Maryland chose eleven arts & cultural organizations to participate in pro bono consultation services—including the Springfield Cultural Partnership and Community Music School of Springfield. Read more
Communities for Immunity Announces First Round Awardees—including the SCP and CMSS who were chosen as partners for the work through the Trust Transfer Project
Supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Communities for Immunity provides funding awards and support to museums and libraries engaging their communities to boost COVID-19 vaccine confidence. Read full press release
TRUST TRANSFER COMMUNITY PARTNERS
“Trusting artists to create and support healthy communities.”
TRUST TRANSFER PROJECT INSPIRED BY
CultureRx & BeHealthy Partnership
Culture Rx
The Culture Rx Initiative is a Mass Cultural Council (MCC) program dedicated to improving health and well-being through cultural participation. Read more
BeHealthy Partnership
The BeHealthy Partnership is made up of the Baystate Health Care Alliance and Health New England. The goal is to be a health care partner, where the focus is on the partner and their family’s overall well-being. Learn more
The BeHealthy Partnership includes primary care providers (PCPs) who are based at five nearby health centers in Springfield, MA:
THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS
Thank you to the Community Foundation of Western MA for supporting the Trust Transfer Project and SCP operations.


CONGRATULATIONS SPRINGFIELD
Springfield received 4 of the 30 project grants that were awarded across 23 communities:
Springfield – North End – New North Citizen’s Council: $75,000 to support Mano A La Obra, an initiative to help North End Latino businesses grow and remain competitive during and after the pandemic. The Council will also help start up new businesses among its participants.

Springfield – McKnight – Association of Black Business and Professionals: $100,000 to support Pathways to Economic Resilience in the Black Community, a partnership with Springfield and MassHire to provide workshops to business professionals, competitive grants to small businesses, and a $2,000 internship stipend to Black and Latino students.

Springfield – Otis Hill – Economic Development Council of Western MA: $75,000 to support 2Generation/Whole Family Approach to Careers Project. This project will support 20 unemployed and furloughed Black and Latino residents with families, with assistance in obtaining new skills to find jobs that fit their needs as well as the needs of their families.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Hip Hop Public Health https://hhph.org/ and their latest content https://hhph.org/
repository/ Resources for equity integration:
1) Demos’ Racial Equity Transformation: Key Components, Process & Lessons
a. See Video Case Study on Demos’ work here.
2) What does it Take to Embed a Racial Equity & Inclusion Lens?
3) So You Want to Hire an Equity Consultant: A Guide for Leaders and Organizations
5) Racial Equity Impact Assessment
6) Affirm. Counter. Transform.
7) The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts – Race & Ethnicity Vaccine Data
8) Engaging Arts & Culture for Vaccine Confidence – Field Guides
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has partnered with arts and culture organizations to promote vaccine confidence and demand.
- This novel partnership aims to demonstrate how public health entities can create synergistic, equitable, culturally responsive, and sustainable partnerships and programs that engage artists as critical partners and trusted messengers in promoting vaccine confidence—for COVID-19 and beyond.
- Hip Hop Public Health https://hhph.org/ and their latest content https://hhph.org/