Arts-based community development

From the Speak Project, metal sculpture produced by young people in South Minneapolis. More here >

It is by now widely acknowledged that the arts and artistic activity help revitalize places. One need not look too far in the Twin Cities to find stories of artist-led revitalization: Northeast, the Warehouse District, Lowertown in St. Paul.

Our community organizing practice makes extensive use of artistic activity as a means of connecting with each other, and as a way of learning to think of ourselves and our communities in more hopeful and active terms.

Community artistic activity is hopeful because it helps us see ourselves as producers (of culture, art, ideas) rather that just as the consumers that our society increasingly stresses as our primary role. While "consumers" lack power - they use what others make - "producers" create, and have power to make change in the places where they live. That transformation in thinking and attitude is one of the most important benefits the arts and culture bring communities, and goes beyond the now widely acknowledged (and important) role that artistic activity has in bringing renewed economic activity to places.

Community artistic activity reflects, asserts and expresses the identities of the people that inhabit a place, and works to increase awareness, connection and engagement between people.

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