https://castconsulting.co/home-1 daily 1.0 2025-11-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/5cef09d4-030f-4278-8268-a0dfd4d0b637/Carl%2Bfacilitating%2B6.jpg Home - Make it stand out Facilitating for ArtsMidwest. Photo credit: Mia McGill https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/431fcd3d-e267-47e0-80eb-86939a25d0ea/Carl+Atiya+Swanson+1+by+Ne-Dah-Ness+Greene.jpg Home - Make it stand out Photo credit: Ne-Dah-Ness Greene Cover photo credit: Gustavo Rosso | Patagonia Visual Solutions https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1715057256553-IWNF3KDWGCQ5WVW8Q8J7/CAST+Stripe+Background+Blue.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1715057490901-65TO97IDNV31BU1LEFAI/CAST+Stripe+Background+Red.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1710858431401-203ZJ7EY2MZFLD2UQGYI/CAST+Stripe+Background.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1710858431401-203ZJ7EY2MZFLD2UQGYI/CAST+Stripe+Background.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1715057256553-IWNF3KDWGCQ5WVW8Q8J7/CAST+Stripe+Background+Blue.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1728067238288-XRV6R8DOM3PMHW2SCB8J/CAS+Giant+Steps+2017+Rhea+Pappas+Photography+02.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/fa624d53-71b5-4925-8183-b65fff50827b/MN+CDFI+Coalition+Conference+Presentation+01.JPG Home https://castconsulting.co/about daily 0.75 2025-09-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1573492735748-XD1Q2796TDPOBVQ23Z6B/Smuda+chat.png About - Hi, I’m Carl I’m a creative with an MBA, a third-culture kid, and a practical optimist. My mission is to facilitate and support projects that bring people together, create beauty and connections, and make the world better, which is why I launched Cast Consulting – it’s our way to work together. As a synthesizer and a bridge-builder, I bring nonprofit experience from over 15 years of working in the sector. That includes work as Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Foundation, working in emergency relief support and workforce development, and as Associate Director at Springboard for the Arts, a national leader in artists resources and artist-led community development. I have an MBA, because I believe in knitting together ways of knowing, finding new paths forward, and speaking each other’s languages. I’m a writer, artist, and theatermaker. That collaborative, creative practice informs all this work. Being in right relationship with a global perspective drives possibility. I’m a 2019 Cultural Innovators Fellow with the Salzburg Global Seminar and have completed training on Facilitation for Racial Justice through the Interaction Institute for Social Change. I have served on the boards of Catalyst Music Twin Cities, the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network - Twin Cities, and Dissonance, advocating for mental health and wellness in creativity. I hold a BA in Studio Art from the University of Southern California and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business. To learn more about me, my art, and work, visit www.carlatiyaswanson.com → https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/5f660bf7-1bf6-4c6a-8799-6eaf1989db6e/MCA+Arts+Advocacy+Day+Anna+Min.jpeg About Minnesota Arts Advocacy Day captain, 2019. Photo credit: Anna Min https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1573440032847-WL8VT37LO7O6VOR7YHAA/Red+back.png About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1715057490901-65TO97IDNV31BU1LEFAI/CAST+Stripe+Background+Red.jpg About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1715057256553-IWNF3KDWGCQ5WVW8Q8J7/CAST+Stripe+Background+Blue.jpg About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1574034311960-B1ZUTJVWH237XLO05FE9/Red+back.png About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1573536248014-YTPA4OGL3ZII9JL3NQPM/Yellow+back.png About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1715057809246-3MI75YUW6X5C9DIASYZ3/CAST+Stripe+Background+Yellow.jpg About https://castconsulting.co/clients daily 0.75 2019-11-11 https://castconsulting.co/contact daily 0.75 2025-09-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1573348007604-UFFUBL30J4LQSXTNM8PA/Salzburg+Herman+Siedl+Session.jpg Contact https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1715057256553-IWNF3KDWGCQ5WVW8Q8J7/CAST+Stripe+Background+Blue.jpg Contact https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/53b48cab-a3af-41b9-988f-2df8d3ba4c29/CCO+Faciliation+01+%E2%80%93+Betsy+Altheimer.jpeg Contact https://castconsulting.co/services daily 0.75 2019-11-12 https://castconsulting.co/writing daily 0.75 2025-07-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597612952224-1GOSUYLDK0TYV50VI25M/CAST%2BTypewriter.jpg Writing - Write, write, write… You may be wondering, how can I learn more about Carl, about his work and how he thinks? Here’s a collection of articles and essays written over the years, with new updates to share how I approach strategy, creativity, business and more. Happy reading, and if you want to know more, be in touch!→ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597615092501-YNB57ENMGS1WBQVOX7D6/Giant%2BSteps%2B2016.jpg Writing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597613979468-G94VSSKQUYOFXGYBVXCY/Soccer%252BHerman%252BSeidl.jpg Writing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597618775890-BTS18SBXXEBECCPCY4MD/AFTACON%2BHEADER.jpg Writing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597618073914-7GJVQCKNA9E9KV62MEHY/Monchsberg%2Bmorning.jpg Writing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597622545775-PFN4HQ45T81R75ZX7V8U/JOY%2BHammons.jpg Writing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597623148712-KZDMAKP90WMP392RIXS3/Fragile+Stats.png Writing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597630298771-JYSOX72YDS3ZHA74XQLI/35190929_10106274869582885_4877368357440978944_n.jpg Writing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597631358426-XYFKPM9RWAJV5XKIAXRW/Strategy.jpg Writing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597633377952-RSG9P9EIYS0V77353YFM/41250423_10106458526887175_4234839269979455488_o.jpg Writing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597632131424-BQFBQCGI59UZC040A7HU/Son.jpeg Writing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597633892865-OF0NM82QNRXW7C26WVQR/Everyone%2Btogether%2Bdifferent%2Bforeverjackie86.jpg Writing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597635557107-0NLKVBZCGIA5KHL82VQ3/Dan%2BDeacon.jpg Writing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1609703202911-QDPHLCKV384EANKLMQ0D/CAS%2BSelfie%2BSeeing%2BStars.jpg Writing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1609451637303-7WN3M2NHU51X6FV4DKTY/Tu%2BLucha%2BLandscape%2BBW.jpg Writing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/06a417f6-eb8f-4ec5-a63d-b67d940d0af5/Art+%281%29.png Writing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/77e1f8d5-4872-46e4-a04e-7fac6fba4eb3/Forks.png Writing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/c0095c3a-37c0-4b80-975a-15cbe893a90a/Facilitate.png Writing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/6b893466-d5a9-4158-85a4-0012c7b5e4e2/Balm.png Writing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597611012862-ZDX10HGT47T1FG9KMC5R/CAST+Yellow+Background.jpg Writing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597617702378-FT3L0ZPS7P2TEE58OD5S/Red.png Writing https://castconsulting.co/introduction daily 0.75 2019-11-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56ec101db09f95da37e77918/1458317460088-Z27X14MAB5X7CAC0DBOG/SQS_DK_carlos_0226-e.jpg Introduction https://castconsulting.co/services-breakout daily 0.75 2024-10-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/4f8632a5-89cc-4021-9474-5ba05a1ca5ad/richard-schabetsberger-carl-swanson-2022-012.jpg Services Image: Salzburg Global Seminar artist residency, 2022. Photo: Richard Schabetsberger https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1715057256553-IWNF3KDWGCQ5WVW8Q8J7/CAST+Stripe+Background+Blue.jpg Services https://castconsulting.co/future daily 0.75 2024-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1581870347045-U87VZLLW2IVPCLPXGIUT/CAST+Carl+Atiya+Swanson+Smile.jpg Future - I’m Carl, and I build things Growing a successful organization is hard work. It stretches all your capacities, tests your networks, and challenges you daily. You need to have your team, your board, and your stakeholders on the same page to advance your vision. You have to hold a strategic vision, bring people together, and develop an efficient operational plan. Cast Consulting is designed to give the flexible support that adds the right capacity when you need it. Cast can help you: – Inspire and refine your strategic frameworks – Facilitate gatherings and retreats to build meaning and shared connection – Support your development and communications goals – Operationalize your systems to do the work Cast is rooted in creativity and culture, and works with organizations, leaders, teams, and boards across sectors. Whether you are launching your work or refreshing your focus, Cast is the added capacity, insight, and expertise to help move you forward. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1710858431401-203ZJ7EY2MZFLD2UQGYI/CAST+Stripe+Background.png Future https://castconsulting.co/project-history daily 0.75 2024-08-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1715057490901-65TO97IDNV31BU1LEFAI/CAST+Stripe+Background+Red.jpg Project History https://castconsulting.co/answering-in-the-moment daily 0.75 2020-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597613555584-GVJAQGQIE9BKT2VCFS53/Soccer%2BHerman%2BSeidl.jpg Answering in the Moment Playing around at Salzburg Global Seminar, photo by Herman Seidl. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597613654841-4LZ4LHEV7FVA183KX9DD/Simonet+Income.jpg Answering in the Moment https://castconsulting.co/the-question-of-value daily 0.75 2020-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597614696057-LBXRDM34ELGV2L6M64U7/Giant%2BSteps%2B2016.jpg The Question of Value In conversation at the 2016 Giant Steps Conference. https://castconsulting.co/damn-good-advice daily 0.75 2020-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597616258799-2XLY3KWTBZWLM7SC0I96/Start+Mirabell.png Damn Good Advice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597616340587-3G6GATOB6Q7DRD8ZU5RM/Fear+the+Cupola.png Damn Good Advice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597616774315-HL0WFJ1GR2IMI2413ZDP/Monchsberg+morning.jpg Damn Good Advice The view from the Monchsberg (Monk’s Mountain) in Salzburg, Austria. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597616440250-MT52LD81QR9V6R5D63NN/Make+Monchsberg+Beautiful.png Damn Good Advice https://castconsulting.co/art-is-who-we-are daily 0.75 2020-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597618514765-MLEYCWQM4OALX75DXH6V/AFTACON+2.jpeg Art Is Who We Are https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597618406036-MQT2AADED3COUZBT8ILJ/AFTACON%2BHEADER.jpg Art Is Who We Are Mike Bishop, Leslie Barlow, and Tricia Heuring speak about Studio 400. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597618571090-5NPL6EUHFD9COCKXCVWF/AFTACON+1.jpeg Art Is Who We Are https://castconsulting.co/in-joy-on-purpose daily 0.75 2020-08-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597622056361-GXETB5BOBJGRCAQ6ZL76/JOY+Hammons.jpeg In Joy, On Purpose This could be u, installation by David Hammons at Hauser & Wirth, Los Angeles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597622156533-FCRDGNPVOOZA0TMQZ3B2/JOY+Flowers.jpeg In Joy, On Purpose https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597622215688-73WSFPHBQTHFWX2TKH8I/JOY+CPP.jpeg In Joy, On Purpose https://castconsulting.co/on-fragility daily 0.75 2020-08-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597622888723-K50E50049RU97BOVOU1F/JOY+Flowers.jpeg On Fragility https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597622807858-5SRNGT7W60T4J3P4A5OK/Fragile+Header.png On Fragility NEMAA Artist Members Spencer Silver (photo by Sarah White), Ashley Mary (photo by Sarah White), and Julie Nelson (photo by Russ White). https://castconsulting.co/the-heat daily 0.75 2020-08-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597624869217-U94FH4QF25GGDXJUZR9I/Heat+Wordmap.png The Heat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597625366515-IFC43CE0PC4JWFLOFUYV/35190929_10106274869582885_4877368357440978944_n.jpg The Heat https://castconsulting.co/tools-for-dreaming-and-winning daily 0.75 2020-08-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597630860848-DFIMWKMEPR56QH7HC7M7/Strategy.jpeg Tools for Dreaming and Winning https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597630615080-AMCXCJW6YW3PSFSTYJJ2/Strategy%2BHeader.jpg Tools for Dreaming and Winning Sending selfies from the Camp Wellstone training. https://castconsulting.co/responding-to-meanness daily 0.75 2020-08-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597632066378-965LK7A0OPX72YHXFMR4/Son.jpeg Responding to Meanness https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597631923858-ZRCCLYBHCWC7ADWZ1MLP/arsenal.jpeg Responding to Meanness https://castconsulting.co/note-to-artists daily 0.75 2020-08-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597633240037-ZSOKMM59DFJ0TH83OIQ2/41250423_10106458526887175_4234839269979455488_o.jpg Note to Artists https://castconsulting.co/everyone-together-different daily 0.75 2020-08-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597634044552-5741PJO3MYD5WEZSPXDE/Everyone%2Btogether%2Bdifferent%2Bforeverjackie86.jpg Everyone Together Different Mural by artists Sheila Regan and Anton Pearson, photo by Sheila Regan. https://castconsulting.co/dan-deacon daily 0.75 2020-08-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1597635333901-8UA00V7H0EFR7GEDAA78/Dan%2BDeacon.jpg Dan Deacon Dan Deacon in the Walker Art Center garage, photo by Andrew Thibodeau. https://castconsulting.co/future-of-arts-advocacy daily 0.75 2020-12-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1609451318316-QL065QI2P5N1HQY1519C/Tu+Lucha+Landscape+BW.jpg Future of Arts Advocacy Screenprint by artist and art director Mónica Nadal https://castconsulting.co/cast-pals daily 0.75 2024-05-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1574477863576-J0SEEU9QXM9XANK0N7WY/Lindsay+Bacher.png New Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1574477459558-FKMQPQF78C3C24RSU5DA/Steph+Jacobs+.png New Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1622690338226-9ZI1HOIWOAJ01ZTDQO7J/IMG_20210215_121104789.jpg New Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/1715057490901-65TO97IDNV31BU1LEFAI/CAST+Stripe+Background+Red.jpg New Page https://castconsulting.co/care-for-all-those-bits-and-pieces daily 0.75 2024-03-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/06a417f6-eb8f-4ec5-a63d-b67d940d0af5/Art+%281%29.png Care for all those Bits and Pieces ART FOR ALL, ALL FOR ART https://castconsulting.co/diy-strategic-planning daily 0.75 2025-07-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/c0095c3a-37c0-4b80-975a-15cbe893a90a/Facilitate.png DIY Strategic Planning https://castconsulting.co/balm-in-the-burnout daily 0.75 2025-07-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5db884c4058ab7204b4e71b5/6b893466-d5a9-4158-85a4-0012c7b5e4e2/Balm.png Balm in the Burnout