An example of a panel created for Hands on Alexandria.

Trust is a very difficult thing to get, especially when talking about sharing personal information.

The Census is a prime example. Thanks to the data collected through the 2010 Census, communities receive more than $400 billion in federal funds each year. This money helps job training centers, hospitals, senior centers, schools and other educational institutions including NOVA.

Most know that some information must be given to the government every decade. Everybody is informed that personal data provided is protected under federal law, and yet many people are reluctant to cooperate.

In the last U.S. Census 3,300 Alexandria residents were not counted and the city lost an estimated $33 million over 10 years because of the previous undercount.

To break the ice, Census 2010 Alexandria representatives and NOVA decided to look for a new approach to the community.

It all started last fall when Lisa Hill, assistant dean with the Communication Design Department, came to Dr. Jim R. McClellan, dean of the Liberal Arts Division, to propose an idea that the Communication Design Department could start a community public service project.

For several months, students and teachers were working on a new appealing design for the Alexandria Census 2010 campaign.

Census 2010 Alexandria provided logos, text and the budget, but the designs were created by NOVA students and teachers.

When everything was ready, the ideas were presented to the Census 2010 committee. As a result, all Alexandria Census 2010 posters, brochures, and gift bags are designed by NOVA students and faculty.

A good design was not the only element of the campaign. Children were also brought in. Census 2010 representatives, along with Lisa Hill, Rebecca Kamen, a professor of art and Angela Terry, a communication design professor, addressed 13 elementary schools asking the kids of Alexandria to give their hands to the Census 2010. Art teachers in the schools were provided with the budget, tissue and paint, and the Hands on Alexandria art project was launched. The students of second, third and fourth grades traced their hands on colored tissue paper and then the cut-out paper hands were delivered to NOVA.

On March 19 at 9:30am, Hill, Terry, Kamen and 12 students came to the college to complete the mural project. The cut-out hands were attached to more than 45 transparent panels. On Tuesday March 23, all the panels will be suspended at the Alexandria City Hall.

By: Lucy Tobultok

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