Creating Big Art

Online Course & Community

MODULE 1 — VISION & CONCEPT

Understand your project's motivation 

1. The Why

Core idea: Big art is not about scale. It’s about intention

Topics:

• Art as conversation between past, present, and future

• Why ego kills large projects

• Collaboration as a philosophical choice

• The difference between “impressive” and “meaningful”

• Fear of scale vs clarity of purpose

• The Santo Cabron mindset: courage + system

Key principle:

Never be afraid of big budgets. Be afraid of unclear purpose.

Reflection Questions:

• Why do I want to create something big?

• Am I seeking recognition, impact, community, challenge?

• What kind of conversation do I want my work to enter?

• Who is this for besides me?

Forum Prompt:

• Share your “Why” in 3 sentences. Others respond with what they see as its strongest potential

2. Story & Narrative

Core idea: Big projects fail without narrative clarity

Topics:

• Public art needs a story

• Narrative before aesthetics

• Cultural relevance

• How to pitch your idea in 60 seconds

• Designing for audience experience

• Making the invisible visible

Small vs Large Scale:

• Small: personal storytelling

• Large: civic storytelling

Exercise:

Write a 1-paragraph concept statement

Then write a 1-sentence version

Reflection:

• Can someone else repeat my idea clearly after hearing it once?

3. Feasibility Check

Core idea: Dream big. Plan realistically

Topics:

• Skill assessment

• Team capacity

• Timeline reality

• Budget category estimation

• Risk awareness

• Permits & stakeholders

Decision Tree:

• Is this a solo build?

• 5–10 collaborators?

• 50?

• 200+ with infrastructure (showers, kitchen, refrigeration, insurance)?

Introduce:

• Multi-year planning model

• Reverse engineering from a city commission or state park festival

Reflection:

• What skills do I already have?

• What must I learn?

• Who must I partner with?

MODULE 2 — DESIGN & ENGINEERING

Turning ideas into buildable systems

4. Sketching & Visualization

Topics:

• Hand sketching vs CAD

• Why learning CAD changes everything

• Communicating to fabricators

• Rendering for grants and sponsors

• Prototyping

Advice:

• Learn one CAD tool deeply.

• Learn to communicate visually before hiring engineers.

Reflection:

• Can I explain my structure clearly on paper?

5. Materials

Topics:

• Standard materials vs exotic materials

• Buying smart

• Bulk purchasing

• Local sourcing

• Sustainable choices

• Knowing material limits

Small vs Large:

• Backyard project vs municipal fire-code compliant structure

• Temporary vs permanent installation

Reflection:

• Am I choosing materials for ego or functionality?

6. Structural Safety

Topics:

• Wind load basics

• Weight distribution

• Public safety responsibility

• Hiring engineers

• Permits

• When not to DIY

Key message:

Bold art requires responsible structure.

Reflection:

• Would I feel safe bringing my family under this piece?

MODULE 3 — BUDGETING & FINANCE

Money without fear

7. Budget Breakdown

Topics:

• Line-item thinking

• Labor vs materials

• Transportation

• Contingency (10–20%)

• Scaling budgets from $5k to $500k+

Introduce:

• Budget templates

• Multi-year budget growth

Reflection:

• Do I understand where every dollar goes?

8. Funding Sources

Topics:

• Self-funding

• Pre-sales

• Selling value (merch, tickets, workshops)

• Private sponsors

• Government grants

• Corporate partnerships

• Community backing

Honest talk:

Fundraising can be frustrating and arbitrary.

Advice:

• If possible, create value instead of asking for donations.

• Sell something meaningful.

• Build audience before asking for money.

Reflection:

• What value can I create instead of asking for support?

9. Writing a Grant

Topics:

• Speaking institutional language

• Outcomes & impact

• Measurable results

• Budget clarity

• Community benefit

Important:

Grants support organized projects, not chaotic passion.

Reflection:

• Does my proposal sound visionary AND realistic?

MODULE 4 — MANUFACTURING & PRODUCTION

Execution is leadership

10. Build Location

Topics:

• Warehouse vs outdoor site

• Zoning

• Insurance

• Power, water, waste management

Large-scale reality:

• 200+ volunteers?

• Showers?

• Food?

• Refrigerated truck?

• Sanitation plan?

Leadership focus:

Production is logistics + morale.

Reflection:

• Do I know what environment my team needs to succeed?

11. Production Timeline

Topics:

• Backward scheduling

• Milestones

• Slack time

• Crisis buffers

• Multi-year roadmap

Teach:

System > intensity.

Reflection:

• Can I map this project across 24 months?

12. Documentation

Topics:

• Photography

• Video

• Social storytelling

• Archiving for future grants

• Building legacy

Advice:

If you don’t document it, it barely exists.

Reflection:

• Who is responsible for capturing the story?

MODULE 5 — TRANSPORTATION & INSTALLATION

Where chaos meets reality

13. Transport Planning

Topics:

• Trailer rental

• Route clearance

• Permits for oversized loads

• Insurance

• Weather

Small vs Large:

• Pickup truck vs semi truck convoy

Reflection:

• What’s my plan if something breaks mid-transport?

14. On-Site Installation

Topics:

• Crew coordination

• Safety briefings

• Equipment rental

• Time compression

• Working with city officials

Key:

Calm leadership under pressure.

Reflection:

• How do I handle stress publicly?

15. Risk & Liability

Topics:

• LLC formation

• Separate bank accounts

• Contracts

• Waivers

• Insurance

• Protecting collaborators

Message:

Professional structure protects creative freedom.

Reflection:

• Is my project legally protected?

MODULE 6 — LAUNCH & LEGACY

Impact beyond the build

16. Opening Ceremony

Topics:

• Ritual matters

• Acknowledging team

• Community inclusion

• Experience design

Reflection:

• How do I honor everyone involved?

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17. Media & PR

Topics:

• Press releases

• Local media

• Social campaigns

• Documentary mindset

Advice:

Tell the story before others define it.

Reflection:

• What headline do I want written about this?

18. Long-Term Value

Topics:

• Maintenance

• Public relationships

• Scaling into next project

• From project to movement

• Hosting your own festival

• City commissions

• State park activations

Multi-year vision:

Start small → build systems → grow capacity → major public commission.

Closing message:

Everything has been done before.

Your job is not to invent art.

Your job is to enter the conversation courageously.

Final Reflection:

• What is my 5-year vision?

• Who must I become to build it?

• What is my next concrete step this month?

Community Integration Structure

Each lesson includes:

1. Private journal reflection

2. Forum discussion prompt

3. Optional peer feedback exchange

4. “Santo Cabron Challenge”  actionable exercises