In a gathering of leaders, don't be surprised if there is jockeying for leadership. Take time to get acquainted and build trust. Do a simple project together before you commit to a major one. Especially in a new partnership, tasks need to be explicitly matched with those responsible for them. Otherwise, important tasks may go undone.
Performances can unleash powerful emotions.
Artists and arts groups venturing into community development may be naive to legal, emotional, and physical risks that health and human service professionals are well prepared for. Issues of patient confidentiality, and the emotional consequences of personal disclosures can catch the artist unaware. If the arts are used in a therapeutic way, a competent health professional must be an active partner in program design and implementation. Artists and arts agencies naturally value artistic quality. But for performances before an audience, the quality of the creative product matters more.