community cultural development

my student experience with the Parks Helix Project inspired me to study further in the field of community cultural development, and i enrolled in the Graduate Diploma course with Community Arts Network of South Australia (CAN SA). my experiences working with the community on this project were positively informed by what i learned while studying - the theory applied in practice.

Community cultural development is a broad field that generally involves creating positive change using the arts as a means of expression. “Community cultural development (ccd) is the essential ingredient for communities to keep the ties between art, culture, health, education and environment together and is the essential ingredient to maintaining human dignity.” (Lewis & Nankivell 2003 p17) We all have the capability for creative expression, in whatever form; everyone should have the opportunity to experience learning new skills in a supportive, non-discriminatory environment; and positive changes come from this experience. All people want to tell stories, share experiences, create connections – be valued as individuals, and useful members of society.

Several studies on the impact of the arts are summarised in the publication ‘Art and Wellbeing’ of which all demonstrate the positive outcomes from community cultural development principles are combined with the community being involved in various art forms as a form of expression. “Community-based creative processes, when embedded into an agency’s policies and strategies, can be very powerful in strengthening the knowledge, engagement, social capital and leadership required to achieve policy objectives” (Mills & Brown 2004 p4).

The common denominators of productive community cultural development can be described by using various indicators of success, from ‘deepening and broadening of their cultural knowledge’ to ‘develop a mutually meaningful, reciprocal and collaborative relationship’. A feeling of satisfaction increased self-esteem and confidence, while becoming ‘co-directors’ of the projects. (Adams & Goldbard. 2001. p67) Building networks is an organic process; constantly growing, changing, sharing, and creating new connections.

Studies indicate that people who are “well-connected” generally are healthier, happier and more productive, the benefits of which are seen on both personal level and also within the broader community; for example, healthy people are less likely to need health and welfare services. Some studies have linked social capital with productivity and economic growth, and even with reducing child abuse. The CCD process could be compared to a tree, with projects as branches coming out from the community resulting in leaves, flowers and ultimately fruit, from which sprouts new plants, and the cycle continues. Funding and government policy should nurture and fertilise the process, enabling new growth on many levels.

Why ‘The Arts’?
“Art is like the underlying soul of the community, whose survival and well being is dependant on the health, environment, education and the culture. Without art, the community doesn’t exist… it keeps the community healthy and happy”(Lewis & Nankivell 2003 p17). There is an artform to suit everyone – from simple to advanced levels; group projects or individual work; 2D or 3D; messy or clean; figurative to abstract; political or personal – the list is endless. The common link between these forms is the desire to creatively communicate a message.

The arts are an ‘instrumental’ tool for education, raising awareness, building self-confidence, enhancing skills, self-expression, and creating positive connections, yet can as well play a ‘transformational’ role in changing attitudes and policies. Even when the same artists use the same project concept – if the community is different, then the feel, outcome and even process will differ. “Artists are catalysts: that is what they do. If artists are anything at all, they are the agents of change. They change the way we see, the way we hear, the way we feel, the way we imagine, the way we discriminate.” (Battersby 2005 p10 online)

Using a broad theme for a project allows many different views and forms of expression to be used, while still creating a feeling of community. The Parks Helix Project theme of ‘Safety’ was chosen as a link between the partner initiatives; to counteract the usual negative media coverage of the area by highlighting the positives; and to challenge any fear of the unknown redevelopment may cause to long-term residents.

References
Adams, Don & Goldbard, Arlene. 2001. Creative Community: The Art of Cultural Development. The Rockefeller Foundation, New York
Battersby, Dr Jean. 2005. Innovation in the Arts. transcript from “The Imagination and the Audience: commissioning for creativity”. Alfred Deakin Innovation Lecture Series, Melbourne. 7 May, accessed online. http://www.deakinlectures.com.au/pdf/battersby_j.pdf
Lewis, Tom E. & Nankivell, Jayne. 2003. ‘Slow Tucker Long Yarn’. Artwork Magazine, CANSA. Issue 57 – December. p17.
Mills, Deborah & Brown, Paul. 2004. Art and Wellbeing: a guide to the connections between Community Cultural Development and Health, Ecologically Sustainable Development, Public Housing and Place, Rural Revitalisation, Community Strengthening, Active Citizenship, Social Inclusion and Cultural Diversity. Australia Council for the Arts, Sydney. p4.