The Unique Value of the Arts in Community Development: A Case Study of ArtsWok Collaborative

Abstract

The arts is able to engage community in imaginative ways that creates a space for dialogue on communal issues faced and also expands the horizons of possible solutions. This approach requires combining the “relational approach” of community development with a “creative approach” unique to the arts. When done well, an artistic experience can catalyse the organic and often unpredictable development of communal relationships and capabilities. This requires an aesthetic sensibility, but also an astute understanding of local contexts and relationships, the affordances of available communal spaces, and a co-creation process that engenders collective participation and ownership. ArtsWok Collaborative (“ArtsWok”) has conceptualised and implemented projects that act as local exemplars of arts-based community development. However, given how nascent and niche this field is, there is some appreciation of its value, but little understanding of its process. Therefore, ArtsWok has had to focus on building the field even as it engages in its own creative projects. Though this has proved to be an opportunity, it is also a drain on its resources. ArtsWok act as creative producers that contribute artistic ideas, and as an intermediary to pull together partnerships across multiple government agencies, funders, arts groups and local communities that have different agendas, offer diverse resources and use different vocabularies. This requires creating bridges across the social service sector, community development and the art world. Straddling different sectors makes for a considerable challenge, but also runs a real risk of diverse stakeholders undermining the artistic process or displacing the interests of the community. In order to ensure the quality and meaningfulness of creative work in and with the community, an intermediary organisation needs to be effectively interdisciplinary and to act as a curator that is artistically discerning and highly selective of its collaborative partners. Given that every project will be different because every community is different, ArtsWok has had to equip itself beyond just specific capabilities and standardised frameworks to be guided by a set of values, principles and vision of what counts as a strong community.