Profiles
of Applied Arts-Based Programs
Hello again! For this posting, we have decided to
provide mini profiles of some organizations that we think provide an
interesting approach to arts-based work and community psychology.
dance4life
“We
are a growing, worldwide movement, led by nearly half a million young people.
Through education, we are challenging stigma and taboo, and young people are
learning how they can protect themselves and those around them.”
Working in 27 different countries
with national non-profit organizations, dance4life has created a school based
program for youth to explore issues of sexual health, sexuality, and HIV/AIDS.
This movement, as it is referred to, facilitates sexual health education with
youth in school systems while using a 4-step model. These steps include: INSPIRE, EDUCATE, ACTION, CELEBRATE. Step
one: A dance4life team travels to different schools to use music and dance to
inspire young people to get involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS while
providing opportunities for open communication about HIV and related topics.
Step two: The dance4life team facilitates workshops and discussions about
leadership, decision making, reproductive rights, and healthy sexuality. Step
three: Youth involved in the dance4life movement begin to take action. This may
take various forms such as using the skills they developed in the workshop,
sharing their knowledge with those in their communities, or making change in
their communities. Step four: Every two years a celebration on World AIDS Day
is planned for those youth who took action (agents4change).
The
Possibility Project
“A society
where teenagers are valued, respected and play a leading role in creating a
better world.”
The Possibility Project merges
performance art with community
action to “empower teenagers to create
safe, peaceful, and productive lives and communities.” Throughout an entire year youth
throughout New York City meet to engage in “issue-oriented discussions,”
exploring diversity, activism, and leadership. Throughout the program youth are
also trained on play writing and other skills related to performance art.
Together, the youth write a musical that addresses social issues that they face
in their lived realities while also creating a community action project. The
Possibility Project has four core values that influence their approach to
community based work: cross-cultural understanding, youth leadership,
integrity, and excellence.
The Center for Urban Pedagogy
“We believe that increasing understanding of how these systems
work is the first step to better and more diverse community participation.”
The Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP)
aims to improve civic engagement through the use of art. Projects pursued by
CUP cover a range of social issues such as juvenile justice, urban planning,
immigration, and many others. These collaborative projects involve artists,
community-based workers, and the staff at CUP. The goal of the projects is to
increase diversity in community participation and civic engagement by breaking
big system concepts down into a language and state where community members are
better equipped to become involved, fight for change in their communities, and
shape policies that impact their lives.
Crossroads Institute
for Arts, Learning and Community
”To
spread knowledge and build capacity regarding the use of the creative arts for
learning and social change”
The Crossroads Institute is a team
of researchers, artists, educators and youth leaders that works with children,
youth and adults across the U.S. to develop and disseminate community-based
arts practices. They have developed creative publications and seminars that are
available to other artists, educators and communities interested in promoting
social change. They also provide free access to their online library which includes
best practices from community-based arts programs. This organization has taken
a collaborative approach by partnering with local and national community-based
organizations and universities.
ArtsCorps Detroit
“In partnership with
community agencies, non-profit organizations and neighborhood groups, ArtsCorps
Detroit identifies creative arts-related projects”
ArtsCorps Detroit is a
community-based program at Wayne State University. This program offers service
learning opportunities for students and community members to help revitalize
the greater Detroit community through the arts. For example, LOTS of Art! is a project which involves
working closely with neighborhood groups to find creative ways, such as
painted murals or dance platforms, to
address abandoned spaces in the city. This program also has a research
component that addresses the effectiveness of arts in promoting personal growth
and organizational/community change.
The Kresege Foundation
“We seek to foster the
power of arts and culture to recharge and rebuild communities of all sizes
throughout the United States”
The Kresege
Foundation is a great organization for community psychologists who are
interested in funding arts-based projects focused on social change. One of
their program areas is Arts &
Culture. Within this program, there is an Arts and Community Building focus area. Overall, this foundation is interested in
funding organization projects dedicated to integrating the arts and community
building activities. In addition, they commission and publish research on
efforts to integrate cultural organizations into community building efforts;
and evaluating activities for their community arts mini-grant initiatives for
grassroots arts and cultural projects that address pressing social issues.
