The arts began as collective activity around the campfire, expressions of community. In a very real sense, the community owned that expression. Over time, with increasing specialization of labor, the arts– especially Western “high arts”– became distanced from the community. Today the survival of established arts organizations hinges on their ability to shorten that distance. Engagement is important; engaging matters.
To engage successfully, arts organizations need to make authentic, substantive connections with their communities. Those communities should not be seen as a collection of market segments to be tapped in an effort to sell tickets or extend reach; they should be seen as indispensable partners in improving lives. It is the creation and support of healthy, vital communities that provide the ultimate justification for the allocation of financial and human resources that the arts require. Communities do not exist to serve the arts; the arts exist to serve communities.
Acknowledging a whiff of hyperbole in that last sentence, along with the potential for irritation in a misunderstanding of it, the issue nevertheless needs to be faced squarely. This blog will examine the topic of community engagement on the part of the arts community in both abstract principles and practical application. I welcome you to the discussions, debates, arguments, and rants.
Recent Comments
Bill Appleton on Museums Engage
This post reminds me of a project that the AAMD did a few years ago to map community engagement. At...michael rohd on Signs of Engagement
i think the new work/programming distinction is actually a big problem is this conversation in theatre. New work should...Doug Borwick on Signs of Engagement
The category of programming is one I had not mentioned at all. Good point. There's a topic that needs inclusion....bronwyn on Signs of Engagement
Great initial questions to ask of organisations (and ourselves) Doug. I wonder if there is a point about the creation...Doug Borwick on Signs of Engagement
Remember that the list and Q's only address very introductory concepts, not practices. At the risk of oversimplifying something that...Sara on Signs of Engagement
Ack -- admires Rachel, present tense. I wish I could remember to proofread BEFORE hitting "POST COMMENT" at least...Sara on Signs of Engagement
First, I just want to say that as someone who knows and admired Rachel, I take umbrage at her...Doug Borwick on Signs of Engagement
While language is important, it's only a foundation. The real work is in what we build upon it. (And I...Rachel Grossman on Signs of Engagement
Doug: Thank you for continuing to shed light on a tension I have struggled with trying to describe and abolish...michael rohd on Signs of Engagement
Doug- we're talking about the same things alot lately. Watch for my next Translations column at Howlround and a guest...