The Laksmi Project
The Laksmi Project connects you with opportunities to create, cultivate, and sustain regenerative resources to thrive.
Housing Justice: Art as Instigator
Wednesday, August 19th | 5:30pm
LP. Outing to The National Public Housing Museum
The Laksmi Project presents an LP. Outing event with the National Public Housing Museum. The evening will feature a panel conversation focused on housing justice, art, and activism with artists and MacArthur Fellows Tonika Lewis Johnson and Amanda Williams, moderated by NPHM Executive Director Lisa Lee. Guests will view Nathaniel Mary Quinn's fantastic exhibition, A Love Letter to My Mother, before it closes on August 23rd, and enjoy bites and drinks from LP. Catering partner, LULA Cafe.
This event is now on a waitlist. To express interest in joining click below.
National Public Housing Museum
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Follow National Public Housing Museum @thenphm
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You make it possible for the National Public Housing Museum to push the boundaries of what a museum can be.
Across the organization, stories of public housing come alive and spark our collective imagination about a future where all people have a place to call home. They are an invitation to learn from history in order to create positive, lasting changes for our communities.
The LP. advocates for housing justice in Chicago //
Learn more about housing rights in our city, with other partners using the arts and community to create change.
Digs with Dignity
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Follow @digswithdignity
Learn more digswithdignity.org
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There are many ways you can get involved with our mission and help Digs with Dignity’s families. Whether it’s sharing a post on social media, donating that extra set of gently used towels in your closet, or funding our next move, you can make a difference in the lives of our future families!
Other Washingtons
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Other Washingtons is a public artwork presented by Amanda Williams.
Share the story of a Washington who has impacted you. Past or present. Famous or unknown. Personal or historic.
As part of the Chicago Monuments Project, Amanda is designing an installation at the site of the 1902 George Washington statue on the South Side.
Amanda’s installation will expand beyond honoring the nation’s first president, to include the biographies of other Washingtons who deserve recognition for impacting Chicagoans or the nation as a whole.
Englewood Arts Collective
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Follow @englewoodartscollective
Community engagement and support: englewoodartscollective.org/support
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UnBlocked Englewood – A groundbreaking initiative repairing 22 homes on a historically disinvested block, restoring Black homeownership & beautification.
We Deserve Beautiful Spaces – A public sculpture advocating for equitable investment in Greater Englewood & other Black neighborhoods.
Vacant Storefront & event Pop-Ups – Transforming empty space into temporary arts hub for exhibitions, workshops, and artist showcases.
Gateway Mural in Englewood – A vibrant welcome to a thriving, creative Greater Englewood.
LP. Activations
Bespoke Events & Programs
Curated by the LP., Activations are tailored to your goals to build relationships and engagement for your fundraiser, work, project, or mission.
Mirja Spooner Haffner // Curator of Connection
📸 Chloe Hamilton
Meet Your Host
Mirja Catherine Laksmi Spooner Haffner is a development leader, host, and founder of The Laksmi Project. Mirja works as a connector to cultivate relationships, engagements, and opportunities that contribute to a more abundant world. Her work lives at the intersection of community connection, strategic development, and financial engagement.
Mirja spent her career working in the arts in New York City and was the Director of Development at the Neue Galerie New York. Additionally, she worked in development at the Art Institute of Chicago raising capital funds for the Modern Wing. Mirja is a board member of The Renaissance Society, and Hyde Park Art Center. She is the Board Chair of the ChiArts Foundation, the philanthropic partner to Chicago's only public arts high school, The Chicago High School for the Arts. Mirja holds a BA in American Studies from Barnard College/Columbia University.
Mirja is currently the Director of Development at Brushwood Center, a health and nature non-profit in Lake County, IL. In 2022, Mirja started The Laksmi Project. The LP. works with organizations and individuals to create and sustain enriching connections that optimize their assets, and exceed their goals.