Milenko Matanovic: Art as a Community Builder

Milenko Matanovic is a community builder and visual artist. He describes his journey from pure artist to facilitator, working with the betterment of the community in mind. Through his organisation, The Pomegranate Center he guides the conception and construction of open-air gathering places, involving the community in all phases of the project.

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ABOUT Milenko Matanovic

“Milenko Matanovic is a community builder, visual artist, and a founding Director of the Pomegranate Center. He works in an area in which art, public participation, and community betterment converge. Through the Pomegranate Center he facilitates the conception and construction of open-air gathering places, involving community members in all phases of the project.

In collaboration with artist James Hubbell, Milenko led architecture students from four countries in the creation of parks in China, Russia, Mexico, and the United States. He has developed and facilitated strategic planning sessions, leadership summits, and design workshops for dozens of communities regionally, nationally and internationally.

Milenko is the author of three books, the most recent of which is ‘Multiple Victories—Pomegranate Center’s Art of Creating Community-Built Gathering Places’. He received the Leadership Legacy Award from the Center for Ethical Leadership in 2009 and in 2005 he was honoured with the Home Magazine Shelter Award for his imaginative works to bolster the social well-being of neighborhoods nationwide. In 1997, he received the Leadership Award from the Evergreen State Society in Washington State.”

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