New Blog on the Block

You have just stumbled upon yet another “new blog on the block.” To get immediately to the point, the fundamental premise of all that follows is: The arts have incredible, but insufficiently utilized, power to improve people’s lives–instrumentally, instrinsically, extrinsically, schmeztrinsically . . . and every which way but loose. This is excellent news for people and it’s good news for the arts. However, the unforgettable words of Fanny Brice in Funny Girl, tell a tale.

I’m the greatest star.
I am by far,
. . . but no one knows it.

Many community members outside the arts are unaware of the arts’ power. (For documentation, see the political whipping boy that the arts–and arts funding–often become.) Unfortunately, too much of the arts world is either unschooled in the means or unskilled in the practice of linking the arts with the broader community for the benefit of both.

The point of this blog will be to encourage, nudge, prod, or cajole (as necessary) the arts community in the direction of  ever more productive partnerships with the communities they serve. I hope we will have entertaining discussions along the way.

“Engaging Matters” will address the why, what, and how of community engagement for both sides of the equation–arts and community–with an emphasis on those of us who live and work in the arts world.

But enough “mission” stuff. To give the reader some actual content to digest in this first post, here is something I’ve just run across. I’m writing/editing a book (more–much more–on that later). The following is from a case study written for it by Prerana Reddy, Director of Public Events at the Queens Museum of Art. The significant background point here is that QMA has a community organizer on staff! This passage demonstrates just one benefit of that fact.

QMA commissioned four emerging artists each year to produce temporary site-specific art in Corona Plaza. Participating artists were asked to develop projects that would integrate with the specific conditions of the plaza and Corona . . . . The community organizer played a key role in orienting the artist to the neighborhood, brokering partnerships and project locations, and facilitating public interaction. This process differed substantially from other public art initiatives in which artists are asked to find community partners. We already had a well-established coalition with scores of partners. [Emphasis added by Editor.] The artists were not assigned the difficult task of wading into unfamiliar territory, but given free rein to explore with the community organizer as an expert consultant. If they wanted to work in a beauty salon or Western Union, an introduction was made.

In future posts I will discuss the idea of having someone on staff, knowledgeable in community organizing, responsible for fostering the relationships out of which community engagement can grow.

(The really wonky among you can take a look at some notes I have put together–and will be updating–on the Backstory-Ground Rules page.)

Engage!

Doug

Picture Source: kevinmiller and Animal Photos!