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

Up on Top - Creative Arts Programs for Disadvantaged Kids

Up On Top provides after school care and summer educational programs for more than 90 of San Francisco’s most disadvantaged kindergarteners to fifth graders, who live primarily in the Tenderloin and Western Addition districts.

Up On Top’s mission is to offer hope, stability, and fun to children of low-income families in San Francisco, preparing them to be successful in school and in life.

What struck me about this organisation is their use of creative arts programs to increase the children's confidence and help develop their literacy, problem solving and interpersonal skills.

Learn more about their great work at http://www.upontop.org/index.htm

The arts & disability sectors - working together for mutual benefit

Some of Australia's leading disability arts practitioners met up in Brisbane in October for the Intersections arts and disability forum.

http://www.arts.qld.gov.au/artsupdate/2011/september/arts-disability-sector.html

Building cultural harmony and wellbeing

Cultural Infusion is a not-for-profit organisation that works in education, youth, communities and the arts to promote cultural harmony and wellbeing for a more cohesive and richer society. Cultural Infusion is dedicated to promoting equality, social justice and encouraging a broader understanding of culture across our community for the benefit of all.