Just Art for a Just City

An interesting read.....

Just Art for a Just City: Public Art and Social Inclusion in Urban Regeneration

Author: Joanne Sharp, Venda Pollock and Ronan Paddison

Urban Studies, Vol. 42, Nos 5/6, 1001– 1023, May 2005

Desert Pea Media

I was first drawn to Desert Pea Media when I heard about their Hip-Hop program. However upon closer investigation this program is just the tip of the iceberg of the invaluable work this organisation does for remote indigenous communities in Australia.

Desert Pea Media is an incorporated, non-profit association established in 2002 as a tool to bring people of all cultures together in Australia through art and storytelling, with a focus on remote and isolated communities.

'Directed by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists, they facilitate media and arts programs in remote communities around Australia and the world.' - Desert Pea Media

Study the art of inclusion in Brighton

At the University of Brighton in the UK you can study a Masters in Inclusive Arts Practice.

'Our Inclusive Arts Practice MA at the University of Brighton is aimed at artists or individuals with an arts background who are working in the arts, health, education or community sector.'

Where the hell is Matt?

This guy will make you want to jump up and start busting a move. He is living proof of how the arts (in this case the art of dance) can rapidly inject such positive energy into a community. Just goes to show that the simplest ideas are often the most effective and profound.

http://www.wherethehellismatt.com/

musica viva - music to inspire

Earlier this year I worked with Karen Kyriakou from musica viva through the 'musician in the classroom program' while working as the Performing Arts Coordinator at Richmond West Primary School, Melbourne.

At Richmond West there are many children that can benefit greatly from a program such as this especially those living in the neighboring housing commission blocks.

I learnt a great deal from Karen about how to make music more accessible for kids especially through body and instrumental percussion. For our grade 3/4 classes the goal was for the children to compose their own percussion piece, I would then record these pieces and use them as the basis for two online videos. Our grade 6 class had the same goal in addition to composing their graduation song with the help of Karen's expertise in composition.

I was inspired to hear of Karen's past teaching experiences, delivering inclusive music programs for children from other lower socioeconomic areas in Melbourne as well children with special needs.

See below two animations I produced based on the percussion pieces the children created with Karen.



Year 5 Percussion Music Video - Musica Viva 2011 from Richmond West PS on Vimeo.


Year 6 Percussion Music Video - Musica Viva from Richmond West PS on Vimeo.

Crocheting recycled bags generates income for Gambian Women

Recycling by crocheting plastic bags lays the foundation for a brilliant community arts project. Not only does such a project promote environmentally sustainable practice but it provides developing communities with entrepreneurial opportunities as demonstrated in this video from Gambia Rising. When searching crocheting plastic bags on Youtube I found a number of examples of non profits using this technique as well as instructional videos to get you started.

Cities and Their Citizens: Fostering Civic Engagement through the Arts

'Governments, universities, nonprofits and others have turned to the arts to navigate complex conversations about social cohesion, race and class, education and participation, and civic identity. This panel focuses on the invaluable role of arts in civic life.'  - University of Chicago

Social impact of the Arts project - University of Pennsylvania

It is obvious that the Arts lends itself to community development and social inclusion but quantifying and clearly articulating the benefits of community art and cultural initiatives can often prove difficult. Nineteen years ago the Social Impact of the Arts Project (SIAP) a research group from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia started to use statistical analysis and qualitative investigation to identify social impacts at the neighborhood level.

"We began in 1994 to ask questions about and develop methods to examine the impact of the arts and culture on community life. Our research focuses on the relationship of the arts to community change, with a particular interest in strategies for arts-based neighborhood revitalization and social inclusion."

When it comes to applying for grant funding and justifying the merit of art based community projects such research is invaluable.

Check out these websites for more information.
www.sp2.upenn.edu/SIAP/
http://www.trfund.com/resource/creativity.html

Tiny Toones in Cambodia

An inspirational example of how creative programs can be used to help provide a better quality of life for all youth, allowing them to reach their full potential.

http://www.tinytoones.org/

Theatre project has dramatic effect on Lebanon jail

"Prisoners say the theatre gives them a form of escape from their time in prison."

For a few hours each week forgotten men of Roumiyeh, a crowded prison near Beirut enter a world beyond the bars. Learn more about this inspiring theatre project.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-12-24/theatre-project-has-dramatic-effect-on-lebanon-jail/249472