The following processes for long and short term planning are invaluable to a well organized parish art ministry.

STAY ORGANIZED: Catalog your work
Create a liturgical art binder into which a record of every installation is kept. Include photos of the work both in progress and completed, a supply list, the names of people involved, a summary of the theological reflection leading to the art, and the results of any evaluation. In another section, keep a written inventory of all supplies and annual expenses.

Keep a second binder as an idea book with images collected from other locations. A library of books on the topic of creating sacred art should be started. Also it is a good idea to keep a current list of liturgical artists who can be commissioned to do larger installations.

PASTORAL PLANNING: Once a year prior to any creative process, the committee chairperson, staff liaison and member of the liturgical team should meet to tailor an art planning schedule based upon that year’s liturgical calendar and the parish’s major events.[31]

CORE TEAM PLANNING MEETINGS:

Long Range Planning: (once a year) With the art planning schedule in hand, the committee chair (creative director), staff liaison, core committee and installer meet to divide the schedule into seasons, suggest types of installations, and divide each into roles, jobs and needs that can be delegated. This is also the time to evaluate the prior year’s processes, and assess inventory and materials which need to be purchased. Reports are then distributed to various art teams for short range planning.

Short Range planning (two to four times a year, several months in advance): The core committee and installer meet with the creative director and staff liaison to focus on particular seasons and suggested installations. At this time long range goals are reviewed, and determinations are made as to what can be created, what needs to be procured, what can be reused, and how many hands will be needed for fabrication, sewing, painting, etc. Short range planning includes the creation of a conservative schedule for theological reflection and discernment, fabrication and installation of the art.

CREATIVE PROCESS: Several months in advance of any project, the core and larger committee led by the creative director and staff liaison should meet for theological reflection and discern imagery which will be the subject of the art being created. Finally the physical art creation begins.