Community Arts Perspective
Volume II, Number 5, January 2010
Postcards from the Community Arts Convening and Research Project, 2009-2010
A final commentary on the yearlong project, its convening and its regional and national dialogues. By Amalia Mesa-Bains
A final commentary on the yearlong project, its convening and its regional and national dialogues. By Amalia Mesa-Bains
International and Multicultural Community Arts Models: Practices and Global Partnership by Lori Hager (PDF)
Cross-Sector Partnerships and the Role of the Arts in Policy and Systems Change by Erik Takeshita and Anusha Venkataraman (PDF)
Confronting Failure with Band-Aids and Gauze by Nicole Garneau (PDF)
The State of Knowledge Production and Critical Discourse in the Art-and-social-justice Field by Jamie Haft (PDF)
Institutionalization of Community Arts and Its Effect on Urban Communities by Tyrese Johnson (PDF)
The Need for a Community Arts University Without Walls
Community arts training must engage community scholars in the field, community institutions, artists, students and professors as equals. By Marta Moreno Vega
Community arts training must engage community scholars in the field, community institutions, artists, students and professors as equals. By Marta Moreno Vega
The Latino Dialogue: A Shared Narrative of Hope and Power
The Latinos of Monterey County, Calif., come together to talk about their culture. By Amalia Mesa-Bains
The Latinos of Monterey County, Calif., come together to talk about their culture. By Amalia Mesa-Bains
My Iron Tri-Angel: An Urban Neighborhood Seeks To Tell Its Own Story
Residents of the Iron Triangle take control of their own narrative. By Jordan Simmons
Residents of the Iron Triangle take control of their own narrative. By Jordan Simmons
Taking Over and Talking Back: Theater as a Forum on Gentrification
New York's citizens talk about what happens when communities change. By Caron Atlas
New York's citizens talk about what happens when communities change. By Caron Atlas
The Curriculum Project Dialogues
Imagining America has three key conversations about higher education — its teaching of and partnering for community cultural development — at NYU, the University of Pennsylvania and Macalester College. By Jan Cohen-Cruz
Imagining America has three key conversations about higher education — its teaching of and partnering for community cultural development — at NYU, the University of Pennsylvania and Macalester College. By Jan Cohen-Cruz
A Text as a Bridge — for You, You and You
Reflections and lessons learned during five conversations with Alternate ROOTS about Resources for Social Change. By Gwylene Gallimard and Hope Clark
Reflections and lessons learned during five conversations with Alternate ROOTS about Resources for Social Change. By Gwylene Gallimard and Hope Clark
Volume II, Number 4, December 2009
Teaching Museum Studies Through a Social-justice Lens
A significant statement about the role of the contemporary museum in exploring and defining community values. By Lila Staples
A significant statement about the role of the contemporary museum in exploring and defining community values. By Lila Staples
What Can You Teach Me? Intergenerational Community Arts in the Baltimore Lumbee Community
An artist helps strengthen her community's culture by bringing together its two "anchor" generations. By Ashley Minner
An artist helps strengthen her community's culture by bringing together its two "anchor" generations. By Ashley Minner
Condom Sense: A Real Life Education with About Face Youth Theatre
Kids still have a lot to learn about sex and HIV/AIDS. By Paula Gilovich
Kids still have a lot to learn about sex and HIV/AIDS. By Paula Gilovich
LA Commons: Engaging Youth in Community-based Cultural Tourism
Artists, teens and city planners leverage local cultural assets to develop the economic and social capital of L.A.'s ethnic neighborhoods. By Karen Mack
Artists, teens and city planners leverage local cultural assets to develop the economic and social capital of L.A.'s ethnic neighborhoods. By Karen Mack
Getting It Wrong: How We Fail and What We Learn
In community arts practice, brave and honest conversations about failure are an untapped resource. By Nicole Garneau and Sanjit Sethi
In community arts practice, brave and honest conversations about failure are an untapped resource. By Nicole Garneau and Sanjit Sethi
Trimming the Sails: Assessing a Program in Midstream
With four graduated classes now working the field, Columbia College engages with the community to see if its AYCD program is delivering value. By Phyllis Johnson
With four graduated classes now working the field, Columbia College engages with the community to see if its AYCD program is delivering value. By Phyllis Johnson
Learning Culture and Change: A Place-based Community Arts Training Model
The Institute for Community Cultural Development shares its pedagogy. By William Cleveland, Wendy Morris and Erik Takeshita
The Institute for Community Cultural Development shares its pedagogy. By William Cleveland, Wendy Morris and Erik Takeshita
What's Good Enough? Excellence and Expertise in Community Arts Training
There is tension between community arts and the academy. Who are the experts? By Jerri Allyn
There is tension between community arts and the academy. Who are the experts? By Jerri Allyn
The Liberatory Critique
Step by step, a critical pedagogy that nurtures the artist's unique voice in relationship to a broadly inclusive community of peoples, values, ideas and opinions. By Ken Krafchek
Step by step, a critical pedagogy that nurtures the artist's unique voice in relationship to a broadly inclusive community of peoples, values, ideas and opinions. By Ken Krafchek
The Rubber Meets the Road: Community Arts Activism and Cultural Hegemony
Community arts activists spend far too much time engaged in the perpetuation and recapitulation of the dominant cultural hegemony, evading the critical lens themselves, By Carol Marie Webster
Community arts activists spend far too much time engaged in the perpetuation and recapitulation of the dominant cultural hegemony, evading the critical lens themselves, By Carol Marie Webster
Volume II, Number 3, November 2009
Urban Bush Women and Community Engagement Pedagogy
Urban Bush Women's community engagement method outlines a creation process to radicalize diverse communities in society. By Sophia Chakos-Leiby
Urban Bush Women's community engagement method outlines a creation process to radicalize diverse communities in society. By Sophia Chakos-Leiby
From Ghana to Greece to Lakota Sioux Nation: Cultural Diversity in Arts and Corrections
Project Youth ArtReach of Class Acts Arts has 40 artists from around the world working with incarcerated people in the Washington, D.C., area. By Claire Schwadron
Project Youth ArtReach of Class Acts Arts has 40 artists from around the world working with incarcerated people in the Washington, D.C., area. By Claire Schwadron
Sharing Space: Collaborative Programming Within and Between Communities
Chicago's Neighborhood Writing Alliance helps people make connections between their own everyday experiences and broader policy issues. By Mairead Case, Annie Knepler and Rupal Soni
Chicago's Neighborhood Writing Alliance helps people make connections between their own everyday experiences and broader policy issues. By Mairead Case, Annie Knepler and Rupal Soni
New Beginnings for Old Stories? A Problematic Institution/Community Partnership
Another Middle East dilemma — in Baltimore. By Sarah Tooley
Another Middle East dilemma — in Baltimore. By Sarah Tooley
Lessons from the Art of Solidarity: A Teaching Experience in Nicaragua
U.S. artists talk deeply about their intensive collaboration with activist groups, artisans, families and high-school students in Nicaragua. By Cinder Hypki
U.S. artists talk deeply about their intensive collaboration with activist groups, artisans, families and high-school students in Nicaragua. By Cinder Hypki
The Choices We Have and Our Privilege To Move On
How many of us who work with community choose to leave when things get tough? By Laura D. Cohen
How many of us who work with community choose to leave when things get tough? By Laura D. Cohen
Working with Today's Service-Learning Students: Personal and Pedagogical Challenges
Bridging the age, race and lived-experience gaps between students and teacher. By Stephanie Johnson
Bridging the age, race and lived-experience gaps between students and teacher. By Stephanie Johnson
The Art of Discussion: Defining Community Art Methodology
Six strategies for success in making community art that addresses social issues. By Rebecca Yenawine
Six strategies for success in making community art that addresses social issues. By Rebecca Yenawine
Volume II, Number 2, October 2009
Neighborhood-based Cultural Programs and the Emerging Eco-industrial Era
The practices, tools and techniques employed in community-based art are symbiotic with the green-job training process and struggles for self-determination. By Michael B. Schwartz
The practices, tools and techniques employed in community-based art are symbiotic with the green-job training process and struggles for self-determination. By Michael B. Schwartz
Mildred Howard and Amalia Mesa-Bains: A Conversation on Community and Public Art
Reflections on the role of the artist in culturally diverse communities. By Amalia Mesa-Bains
Reflections on the role of the artist in culturally diverse communities. By Amalia Mesa-Bains
Good Work: Ethics and Community Cultural Development with Children and Youth
"Good work" in community cultural development requires competence, justice/fairness, respect and shared authority & authorship. By Stephani Etheridge Woodson
"Good work" in community cultural development requires competence, justice/fairness, respect and shared authority & authorship. By Stephani Etheridge Woodson
Acting Crazy: Spying on, Jamming with and Crooning about Anxiety and Depression
Solo performance blossoms into a paradigm of interconnectedness. By Gail Marlene Schwartz
Solo performance blossoms into a paradigm of interconnectedness. By Gail Marlene Schwartz
Signals of Exchange
What are the qualities of community in this new era of globalism? By Johanna Poethig
What are the qualities of community in this new era of globalism? By Johanna Poethig
One Mosaic, Many Voices: Piecing Together the Story of Baltimore's 1968 Riots
People who lived through violence together 40 years ago come together to tell their stories. By Christina Ralls
People who lived through violence together 40 years ago come together to tell their stories. By Christina Ralls
Enlightenment Through Collaboration
A collaborative project in South Central Los Angeles could make you believe in magic. By Brett Cook
A collaborative project in South Central Los Angeles could make you believe in magic. By Brett Cook
Volume II, Number 1, September 2009
Community Arts Perspectives: An Editorial
Introducing Volume II of the online publication of the Community Arts Convening and Research Project. By Amalia Mesa-Bains
Introducing Volume II of the online publication of the Community Arts Convening and Research Project. By Amalia Mesa-Bains
In a City of Bubbles and Barriers: The Studio Baltimore Project
A collaborative project challenges art-school students to address the problems existing in the city that surrounds the campus. By Becky Slogeris
A collaborative project challenges art-school students to address the problems existing in the city that surrounds the campus. By Becky Slogeris
The Art and Craft of Integrating "Social Justice Ally" Curriculum into Service-Learning
A teacher develops a core lesson: the power relationships between community artists and their community partners. By Kate Collins
A teacher develops a core lesson: the power relationships between community artists and their community partners. By Kate Collins
Pittsburgh Project REMIX: Animating a Historical Landmark
Contemporary stories and historical research examine the forces shaping the Steel City in the post-industrial age. By Megan Carney
Contemporary stories and historical research examine the forces shaping the Steel City in the post-industrial age. By Megan Carney
Voices from the Battlefront: Achieving Cultural Equity Through Critical Analysis
Artists call for a cultural policy of global pluralism that deeply respects local life and its tradition bearers. By Jamie Haft
Artists call for a cultural policy of global pluralism that deeply respects local life and its tradition bearers. By Jamie Haft
Making the Road
A teacher develops a core lesson: the power relationships between community artists and their community partners. By Julia Di Bussolo
A teacher develops a core lesson: the power relationships between community artists and their community partners. By Julia Di Bussolo
High And Low: Partnerships Among Museums and Community-based Arts Organizations
Three partnership models from Chicago. By Prudence Browne
Three partnership models from Chicago. By Prudence Browne
Creating a Monster: Capitalism in the Community Arts Classroom
While grad students are learning the ins & outs of funding for nonprofits, some young innovators are turning away from that model. By Brandi Rose
While grad students are learning the ins & outs of funding for nonprofits, some young innovators are turning away from that model. By Brandi Rose
Volume I, Number 7, December 2008
Wholly Dedicated: Baltimore Clayworks' Studio Satellites in Inner-city Neighborhoods
On putting your classrooms where your students are. By Deborah Bedwell
On putting your classrooms where your students are. By Deborah Bedwell
Cultural Organizing: Third World Majority, Raices and M.U.G.A.B.E.E.
Three approaches to placing art and culture at the center of an organizing strategy. By Javiera Benavente
Three approaches to placing art and culture at the center of an organizing strategy. By Javiera Benavente
Going Green with Public Art Policy
Critical questions about the relationship between environmental sustainability and the arts. By Elizabeth Bostwick
Critical questions about the relationship between environmental sustainability and the arts. By Elizabeth Bostwick
Revising Confinement: Transformations in a Prison Writing Workshop
Writing as a formidable tool for control, survival and transformation. By Barbara Roswell and Pamela Sheff
Writing as a formidable tool for control, survival and transformation. By Barbara Roswell and Pamela Sheff
Putting Culture to Work: Three N.Y.C. Youth Theaters
Twelve weeks with Find Your Light, viBeStages and Ifetayo Youth Ensemble. By Heather Stickeler
Twelve weeks with Find Your Light, viBeStages and Ifetayo Youth Ensemble. By Heather Stickeler
Volume I, Number 6, November 2008
Safe Spaces Community Creations: The Mosaic Wall Project
Working with Baltimore teens to create a 2,000-square-foot glass mosaic on the American Visionary Art Museum. By Mari Gardner
Working with Baltimore teens to create a 2,000-square-foot glass mosaic on the American Visionary Art Museum. By Mari Gardner
Reform or Enrichment: Policy Mandates and Program Goals in Community Youth Arts
More and more attention is being paid to what kids do after school. By Lori Hager
More and more attention is being paid to what kids do after school. By Lori Hager
Finding Our Wings: A Community Documentary Program
Cameras in the hands of teenage girls give them the courage to finish high school. By Kirsten D'Andrea Hollander
Cameras in the hands of teenage girls give them the courage to finish high school. By Kirsten D'Andrea Hollander
Insights from Arts and Civic Engagement: 13 Profiles
Pathways to building a participatory culture. By Rebecca Lena Richardson
Pathways to building a participatory culture. By Rebecca Lena Richardson
Community Spectacle: A Place of Magic
The artists, musicians, technicians, lanterneers and visual alchemists of Nana Projects are in it together, and so is their audience. By Molly Ross
The artists, musicians, technicians, lanterneers and visual alchemists of Nana Projects are in it together, and so is their audience. By Molly Ross
The Circle Is Already Listening: Littleglobe's Collaborative Creative Process
A means to know one another, to witness one another and remove hierarchical and preconceived notions of the "other." By Molly Sturgis
A means to know one another, to witness one another and remove hierarchical and preconceived notions of the "other." By Molly Sturgis
Volume I, Number 5, October 2008
Promoting Self and Community Empowerment Through Critical Pedagogy in a Community Art Program
Learning about the consequences of social injustice in Austin's Greater Tomorrow Youth Art Program. By Christopher Adejumo
Learning about the consequences of social injustice in Austin's Greater Tomorrow Youth Art Program. By Christopher Adejumo
Young People's Art Works Toward Social Change: Performing Visions of Utopia
An analysis of art works by young people in struggle. By Sharon Verner Chappell
An analysis of art works by young people in struggle. By Sharon Verner Chappell
Art Jump Off!: Choice at the Center of a Middle-school Afterschool Arts Program
Embracing student choice and personal attention as ways to help young people develop artistic skills. By John Giordano and Kassandra Derby
Embracing student choice and personal attention as ways to help young people develop artistic skills. By John Giordano and Kassandra Derby
The Practices and Pedagogy of Pepón Osorio
How risk and trust and hope for a reciprocal practice can bring communities to life and life to communities. By Amalia Mesa-Bains and Pepón Osorio
How risk and trust and hope for a reciprocal practice can bring communities to life and life to communities. By Amalia Mesa-Bains and Pepón Osorio
A New Beginning: The Evolving Relationship between Artist and Community
A comic roller-coaster ride through a semester of community arts learning. By Christina Ralls
A comic roller-coaster ride through a semester of community arts learning. By Christina Ralls
Volume I, Number 4, September 2008
The New Hybridity: HOME, New Orleans and Emerging Forms of Community/University/Arts Collaboration
The ins and outs of a conflicted and fragile undertaking. By Ron Bechet and Amy Koritz
The ins and outs of a conflicted and fragile undertaking. By Ron Bechet and Amy Koritz
Belongings - A Neighborhood Search: Creative Alliance at The Patterson
We are born into our family, our skin color, our culture and class. Can we really choose a community? By Luisa Bieri de Rios
We are born into our family, our skin color, our culture and class. Can we really choose a community? By Luisa Bieri de Rios
Principles of Working in a Community: Resources for Social Change
The working philosophy of a mobile lab for arts and activism in the American South. By Hope Clark and Gwylène Gallimard
The working philosophy of a mobile lab for arts and activism in the American South. By Hope Clark and Gwylène Gallimard
The Collaboration Among Youth, Organizers and Artists
Working together on gang violence in Baltimore. By Whitney Frazier
Working together on gang violence in Baltimore. By Whitney Frazier
What the Moment Requires of Us: Toward Egalitarian Relationships in Community Arts Mentoring
A road map for community arts mentors. By Cinder Hypki
A road map for community arts mentors. By Cinder Hypki
Comparative Arts Training in Richmond's Inner City
Nurturing excellent and engaged young performing artists in the Bay Area's Iron Triangle. By Jordan Simmons
Nurturing excellent and engaged young performing artists in the Bay Area's Iron Triangle. By Jordan Simmons
An Ethic of the End: How Planning and Evaluation Make Art Political
Art for social justice: Is it Art? Only if it has a clear vision of its purpose. By David Sloan
Art for social justice: Is it Art? Only if it has a clear vision of its purpose. By David Sloan
Models for Working with Youth in Community Arts
A comparison of the educative model and the youth development model. By Stephani Etheridge Woodson
A comparison of the educative model and the youth development model. By Stephani Etheridge Woodson
Volume I, Number 3, August 2008
Art Action for Social Change: Kids on the Hill
A theory of change in three parts: Experiential Education, Art Action and Civic Engagement. By Mark Carter and Rebecca Yenawine
A theory of change in three parts: Experiential Education, Art Action and Civic Engagement. By Mark Carter and Rebecca Yenawine
In the Midst: Cultivating Citizens/Artists
A university course brings college and high-school students together to explore arts-based civic engagement. By Kate Collins
A university course brings college and high-school students together to explore arts-based civic engagement. By Kate Collins
Core Arts: Mississippi Arts Commission and Communities in Schools Greenwood LeFlore
A juvenile-justice program that survived a rocky beginning and can now be found in every region of its state. By Grady Hillman
A juvenile-justice program that survived a rocky beginning and can now be found in every region of its state. By Grady Hillman
Arts, Activism and Humanity – The Prison Creative Arts Project
Investing in the voices of the incarcerated. By Geetha Iyer
Investing in the voices of the incarcerated. By Geetha Iyer
An Accidental Community Artist: The Making of the PhotoBooth Project
Putting whole communities into the picture. By Christopher Irion
Putting whole communities into the picture. By Christopher Irion
Fostering Commitment: The Community Arts Corps
AmeriCorps and MICA take art students into their Baltimore communities. By Kara McDonagh
AmeriCorps and MICA take art students into their Baltimore communities. By Kara McDonagh
The Community Artist from the Community
A community arts grad student goes to work in the Native American community where she grew up. By Ashley Minner
A community arts grad student goes to work in the Native American community where she grew up. By Ashley Minner
Making Art in the Outdoors: Community-based Residential Youth Arts Camps
Research at the convergence of art education, environmental education and youth development. By Katie Schumm
Research at the convergence of art education, environmental education and youth development. By Katie Schumm
Dance as Activism: Questions for a Little Black Girl
Is it possible to build a community that takes stock in a Little Black Girl, invested in her value, her honor, her power and her potential? By Carol Marie Webster
Is it possible to build a community that takes stock in a Little Black Girl, invested in her value, her honor, her power and her potential? By Carol Marie Webster
Volume I, Number 2, July 2008
Complexities and Collaborations at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Power dynamics, resources, support and responsibilities in campus-community collaborations. By Celina Aguilar and Kate McLeod
Power dynamics, resources, support and responsibilities in campus-community collaborations. By Celina Aguilar and Kate McLeod
The Porch — A Cultural Center in the Seventh Ward of New Orleans
Starting a cultural organization in a neighborhood struggling with survival. By Ron Bechet, Willie Birch, and Helen Regis
Starting a cultural organization in a neighborhood struggling with survival. By Ron Bechet, Willie Birch, and Helen Regis
The Importance of Self-Reflection for Community-based Educators
Reflection and personal development as inherent components of the art-making process. By Sheila K. Fox
Reflection and personal development as inherent components of the art-making process. By Sheila K. Fox
Warts and All: The Partnership that Built a Community Arts Graduate Program
Sometimes the most difficult partner relationships are the ones inside the institution. By Nicole Garneau and Phyllis Johnson
Sometimes the most difficult partner relationships are the ones inside the institution. By Nicole Garneau and Phyllis Johnson
Campus-Community Partnerships: Supporting or Destroying the Field of Community Arts?
While higher education trains students to work in the community, are community partners experiencing funding setbacks and closure? By Sonia BasSheva Mañjon
While higher education trains students to work in the community, are community partners experiencing funding setbacks and closure? By Sonia BasSheva Mañjon
Training and Partnerships in Rutgers' Transcultural New Jersey Public Service Arts Program
The service-learning and civic-engagement movement in higher education is increasingly challenging conventional academic culture. By Linda Melamed and Isabel Nazario
The service-learning and civic-engagement movement in higher education is increasingly challenging conventional academic culture. By Linda Melamed and Isabel Nazario
Intersections of Community Arts and Activism with a Liberal Arts Education
Can collaboration between liberal arts and visual arts increase learning outcomes for students and benefits to communities? By Mindy Nierenberg
Can collaboration between liberal arts and visual arts increase learning outcomes for students and benefits to communities? By Mindy Nierenberg
Best Practices or Principles of Practice? Reflecting upon Language & Roles
The lack of accord around the use of the term "best practice." By Melanie Ohm
The lack of accord around the use of the term "best practice." By Melanie Ohm
Rez CAP
Across a thousand miles, two cultures, two communities come together: MICA and the Dakota Nation. By John Peacock
Across a thousand miles, two cultures, two communities come together: MICA and the Dakota Nation. By John Peacock
Volume I, Number 1, June 2008
Community Arts Perspectives: An Editorial
Introducing the online publication of the Community Arts Convening and Research Project. By Amalia Mesa-Bains
Introducing the online publication of the Community Arts Convening and Research Project. By Amalia Mesa-Bains
[classified]: stories that catalyze dialogue about diversity
Four Virginia Tech students bridge the gap between university policy and individual experience. By Laura Agnich, Kimberly Baker, Megan Carney and Shannon Turner
Four Virginia Tech students bridge the gap between university policy and individual experience. By Laura Agnich, Kimberly Baker, Megan Carney and Shannon Turner
Between Grace and Fear: The Role of the Arts in a Time of Change
Creative thinkers talk about a major shift in worldview. By William Cleveland and Patricia Shifferd
Creative thinkers talk about a major shift in worldview. By William Cleveland and Patricia Shifferd
Framework for Understanding Ruby Payne
Teaching art students to apply a theory about poverty to their internships in Baltimore’s public schools. By E. Blaise DePaolo
Teaching art students to apply a theory about poverty to their internships in Baltimore’s public schools. By E. Blaise DePaolo
Finding Multiple Truths in Challenging Times
Liz Lerman Dance Exchange partners with science in a trans-domain process with many outcomes. By Jane Hirshberg
Liz Lerman Dance Exchange partners with science in a trans-domain process with many outcomes. By Jane Hirshberg
Structuring a Catalytic Arts Education Program: The Saturday Program at Cooper Union
Student teachers run a powerful community program for teens in New York, founded by undergraduates in the 1960s. By Karma Mayet Johnson
Student teachers run a powerful community program for teens in New York, founded by undergraduates in the 1960s. By Karma Mayet Johnson
A New Day in the Academy
What happens when discussions about privilege, power and difference butt up against the entrenched conservatism of the academy and establishment art? By Ken Krafchek
What happens when discussions about privilege, power and difference butt up against the entrenched conservatism of the academy and establishment art? By Ken Krafchek
Creating a Model for Institutional and Personal Change with Music Theatre Workshop
Collaborative playwriting helps incarcerated girls in Chicago heal from abuse. By Meade Palidofsky
Collaborative playwriting helps incarcerated girls in Chicago heal from abuse. By Meade Palidofsky
Viewpoint: Community Collaborative Arts
Community art is an edgy collective experience with aesthetic qualities of its own. By Johanna Poethig
Community art is an edgy collective experience with aesthetic qualities of its own. By Johanna Poethig
Interposing on the Collective Culture through the Arts: A Case Study of One University Course
What if artists merged discussions about formal aesthetics and the elements and principles of art/design with discussions about moral growth and public good? By Rachel Marie-Crane Williams
What if artists merged discussions about formal aesthetics and the elements and principles of art/design with discussions about moral growth and public good? By Rachel Marie-Crane Williams
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