Exercise 2: Community Engagement
One of the most direct ways to reach the audience is to create activities and interventions within the community itself. According to the Art Historian Claire Bishop, such practices since the 1960s come about through a number of motivations:
1) The activation of the (political) subject enabling individual emancipation and empowerment;
2) Shared authorship, considered a more egalitarian and democratic method of creation; and
3) The restoration of social bonds in order to address the perceived crisis of the community and to provide means for resisting the alienating and isolating effects of capitalism.
(Bishop, 2006:12).
These motivations appear well-intentioned, but there are many different models of working with the community. In this exercise, you will examine some of the ethical questions raised by socially engaged practices. What does community mean and what critical implications does community engagement entail?
Research a community arts project in your local area or online, if you can find one, use this to address the following questions, otherwise consider them in a more general way.
- Are you able to bring any special knowledge to the project and the community that others might not have?
Everybody is unique in their particular way. Therefore, working with a community towards a specific goal can only benefit both: my side will have the chance to engage in something new and probably one of a kind, whereas the project will have a more holistic approach to become something unique and original. Collaborating with others towards a common goal can lead to excellent outcomes and a more well-rounded project. It’s always exciting to explore new opportunities and learn from others. Exploring new opportunities can be a great way to learn and grow. Observing how others approach different situations and challenges is fascinating, and we can often learn a lot from their experiences, which can work vice versa. Everybody’s unique point of view can bring a lot to the project. It’s always valuable to have different perspectives and ideas when working on something, and I’m sure your contributions will be greatly appreciated.
- Does it matter if the artist lives in the community?
There are many benefits to having an artist live in the community where they create a project. For one, they are more likely to have a deeper understanding of the local culture and history, which can inform their work and make it more relevant to the community. Additionally, involving a local artist in a project can help build stronger bonds in the community ownership and pride, as residents are more likely to view the artwork as representing them and their values. Also, having a resident artist can help ensure the project is done respectfully and sensitive to the community’s needs and concerns. With today’s technology, artists can work remotely and still create fantastic artwork. However, involving a local artist in a project can provide unique benefits that cannot be achieved through remote work alone. For example, a local artist can collaborate with community members and gather their input and ideas, resulting in a more inclusive and representative piece of art. Additionally, a local artist can physically interact with the environment and landscape, gaining a better understanding of the project site and its significance to the community.
- What might be some of the problems of an artist working with a community group that they have very little, or no prior connection to?
One of the main problems an artist might face while working with a community group they have little or no prior connection to is a need for more understanding of the group’s culture, values, and needs. This issue might lead to a communication gap, causing misunderstandings and misinterpretations. Another challenge could be building trust and establishing rapport with the group members. Moreover, the artist might need help creating work that resonates with the group’s values and beliefs, resulting in the members’ lack of engagement and interest. These problems can be mitigated with proper research, communication, and collaboration with the community group, but ideally, an artist should be fully engaged with their working community.
Present your thoughts in your learning log.
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