Introduction
A community based arts project aims to connect with the community and develop relationships through which the partnership can achieve a range of community development and engagement outcomes. This case study compares the theory of community based arts to the Skywriters Project coordinated by Arts OutWest. The methodology behind audience involvement is examined before assessing the nature and impact project outcomes create in both individuals and community groups.
Short description of case study
Skywriters Project is a project coordinated by Arts OutWest, bringing together arts practitioners, astronomers and local communities under the Big Skies Collaboration banner to creatively examine individual relationships with the cosmos, specific to rural Australian experience. Arts OutWest has defined the community as a 700 Kilometre Array, covering the 12 council areas of Central West New South Wales. (Big Skies Collaboration 2018).
The project aims to link land and sky through innovative stories to explore sense-of-place, and reimagine humanity’s past, present and the possibilities of the future within the context of the celestial formations, possible alternate universes and/or extra-terrestrial lifeforms. The project has been funded by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund for 2017 and 2018, and will culminate in a published anthology in 2019, in print and eBook formats.
Coordinating organisation
Arts OutWest is the regional arts development organisation of Central West New South Wales. Their mission is to promote, facilitate, educate and advocate for arts and cultural development for communities throughout Central West NSW. Established in 1974, Arts OutWest is the oldest of the NSW Regional Arts Boards, participates in the NSW state network of 14 Regional Arts Boards and collaborates with the state body Regional Arts New South Wales and Regional Arts Australia. (Arts OutWest 2016).
Covering 12 council areas, the organisation provides services in information and education, funding assistance, advocacy, promotions and media, development of strategic relationships and project delivery.
Community involved in project
The 700 Kilometre Array community for the Skywriters Project extends from the western edge of the Blue Mountains to Lake Cargelligo through the centre of NSW. This diverse region features a multitude of active and innovative arts practices including the community arts sector, professional arts practitioners and creative industries enterprises. Main cities in this region are Orange and Bathurst, both with established and well supported regional galleries, theatres and conservatoriums. Further to these cities are over 150 smaller towns and villages. The region has a number of commercial galleries, successful festivals and a strong food and wine industry centred around Orange linking to the arts and cultural sector (Arts OutWest 2016).
2011 ABS census data shows the area has a lower education level than the national average with 16.4% of people completing the highest educational attainment of Year 10 (Australian average 10.8%) and 12.8% of people completing a Bachelor degree or higher (Australian average 22%). Cultural diversity is also lower than the national average with the region consisting predominantly of Australian (33.7%) and English (30.3%) heritage with 83.1% of people born in Australia, compared to the national average of 66.7%. 87.6% of households only speak English at home (Australian average 72.7%). Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait slander people make up 6.4% of the population, more than the national average of 2.8%. The Australian Council for the Arts shows that 98% of the Calare region engages with the arts, principally through listening to music (97%). Only 13% are involved with community arts and cultural development.
Stated outcomes of the Skywriters Project include to cultivate a dispersed writers community throughout the 700 Kilometre Array region and facilitate the formation of new friendships. The target community is a niche combination of established and aspiring writers with an interest in astronomy and examining their sense-of-place within the Central West.
Artists and facilitators
This project is supported by a number of facilitators, arts practitioners and organisations:
Dr Merrill Findlay - Managing Editor
Professional Associate with the Centre for Creative and Cultural Research, University of Canberra; recipient of a Regional Arts Australia award for her ‘outstanding contribution to the arts in regional Australia’; published author.
Dr Suzie Gibson - Curating Editor
Senior Lecturer in English in the School of Humanities and Social Science, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst
Val Clarke - Curating Editor
Award-winning storyteller and visual artist.
Gai Lander - Curating Editor
President of Genfell’s Henry Lawson Festival.
Dr David Reiter - Collaborating Artist
Text and digital artist
New England Writers Centres - Collaborating Organisation
Red Room Poetry - Collaborating Organisation
Wiradjuri Study Centre - Collaborating Organisation
Trevor Leaman - Launch Speaker
Cultural Astronomer
Art forms and processes involved
Skywriters Project explores the art form of creating writing through a series of launches at local libraries, followed by regular gatherings of Skywriters, members of the community who are participating in the project. Processes involved include creative writing, feedback and reflection, sharing ideas and editing work for publication.
Community engagement/participatory art techniques used
The community is engaged through regular gatherings and an online community website. Meetings consist of a presentation from arts practitioner Dr David Reiter, followed by a time to share ideas, creative writing pieces and receive feedback.
Overview of theory/research into community based arts as an opportunity to achieve a range of community development and engagement outcomes
Community based arts is an opportunity to achieve a range of community development and engagement outcomes. As the community is integral to executing community based arts it is important to consider the definition and role of the community. Communities can be defined in multiple ways: on an international scale in relation to information technology; on a local scale where people live in families, in towns and cities, and also by connection of a common interest amongst a group of people (Kay 2000, p414).
In arts projects community should participate in consultation, involvement and ownership stages. Community consultation considers the needs and interests of members of the community. Ensuring need and interest is essential in the viability of an arts project. This stage also encourages a mutual partnership between the community and the project through community influence in the developing phase. Community involvement is the stage where participants experience personal development and attitudinal change within the community through the arts project. Projects which are people-centred in their approach require active involvement from participants for community change to occur. Lastly, community ownership is important for the ideas of community regeneration and empowerment. Through empowering participants, communities will strengthen capacity, develop skills, take responsibility and ultimately realise change in local culture (Kay 2000, p419).
Value of arts based projects
Community based arts can achieve value through multiple community development and engagement outcomes. These outcomes include education and information concerning participants selves and their worlds; inspiration and mobilisation of individuals and community groups; the nurture and healing of individuals and community groups and the building and improvement of community capacity and infrastructure (Mapping the terrain week 1). By achieving these outcomes, artists, participants, and communities benefit from the creation of new artistic works, development of confidence and a sense of place within the community and new career opportunities (Creative Victoria week 1).
Outcome: Educate and inform participants about the self and the world
Participation in the arts leads to personal growth through education and information about the self and the world. Participants may build skills and develop education with can improve employment prospects and opportunities. In addition projects can impact less tangible elements such as self-expression, communication, attitude towards the self, work ethic, pride and the sense of belonging (Kay 2000, p416). In terms of the world view, projects create a greater understanding of different cultures and community identity (Kay 2000, p415).
Outcome: Inspire and mobilise individuals and community groups
Individuals and community groups can be empowered through arts projects to take control and realise change within their community and local areas. This increase of local capacity and self-determination generates vibrant, confident and successful communities with access to cultural expression (Landry Week 1, 36)
Outcome: Nurture and heal individuals and community groups
Arts projects can create social cohesion through developing networks or understanding between individuals and groups within a community. This produces social change which can be evaluated and benefits community development strategy, cultural life and social policy.
Outcome: Build and improve community capacity and infrastructure
Further to personal, communal and economic benefits, the arts establishes networks of mutual trust, cooperation and social capital through which community capacity is developed. Improved personal skills, education, work ethic and employment opportunities, benefits the wider community infrastructure and workforce (Newman et al 2003, p313).
Discussion of the extent to which the theory/research is evident in your chosen case study and the impact that has had on the project
The community involved with the Skywriters Project consists of a niche group of established and aspiring writers with an interest in astronomy and examining throughout a large geographical area of 700 kilometres. This would predominantly fit the definition of a community based on common interest however as local writing groups are held at 12 libraries throughout the region, there is also an element of local scale community involved.
Throughout the consultation stage of the project, participants were invited to submit a registration form and attend a launch at their local library. This proved interest in the project and allowed the participants involvement in the planning and execution of the project. Through the launch meetings, participants formed a members-only Facebook group to maintain communication of ideas and exchanging of skills via the distances throughout the region. Participants established guidelines for community use of the Facebook page which were communicated to the group through the first Skywriters Newsletter, a summary of activity throughout the consultation and launch of the project. One issued raised from the introduction of the Facebook group was internet connectivity issues throughout some locations in the region. Whilst a solution was not found initially, this was offered to the group for thought and collaboration. Participants also formed writing groups within their immediate localities, another example of ongoing community activities and strengthening of relationships.
The consultation stage of the Skywriters Project corresponds with the theory of involving participants in the consideration of needs and interests within the community. The participant-generated spaces for additional community connection highlight the interest and need for the project, proving viability and responding to the encouragement of mutual partnership and empowerment.
Community involvement for the Skywriters Project takes place through several platforms. Participants are invited to attend launch events and workshops where arts practitioner Dr David Reiter provides education and feedback on literature and writing. Other events included attending associated exhibitions, documentary screenings and star-gazing evenings. These cultivate personal development through mutual support and understanding and inspire attitudinal change towards the arts within the community.
The Skywriters Project is people-centred and relies heavily on participation to achieve the stated outcomes. Through attendance and participation in writing and wider interest events it is evident that the community is committed to involvement in the project which should create lasting community change.
Throughout the consultation and involvement stages it is evident that participants have accepted an ownership of the Skywriters Project, through establishing their own spaces for connection within the community and furthering ideas presented in meetings. Through empowering the participants, the community have begun establishing further projects including a Central West Astro-Trail tourism attraction, inviting astronomy-interested people to visit the Central West and it’s unique astronomical attractions. This proves the value of community based arts in strengthening local capacity, developing skills and realising change in local culture. The arts have provided a foundation upon which future economic growth and community can thrive in the region (Duxbury & Campbell 2011, p111)
In addition to the stages of community engagement, Duxbury and Campbell (2011) outline reoccurring patterns in fostering arts in regional areas, of which are evident in the case study:
The appreciation and acceptance of an individuals sense of place within their community. This is shown through the need to express individual connection to the land and sky through storytelling.
The value of arts in everyday life and an encouragement for participation. The community formed local writing groups in order to meet and connect between larger project meetings and events. This provides opportunities for arts participation in everyday life and encourages continued involvement.
Leadership representing the community, working towards a common goal. The project facilitators are local community members and calls for curating editors were made to the participants in the consultation stages.
Overall, a range of community development and engagement outcomes have been achieved through this project corresponding to the theory concerning arts based community projects. Through utilising this foundation outcomes have provided the following impacts on the community:
Outcome: Educate and inform participants about the self and the world
Participants of the Skywriters Project were provided opportunities for education and feedback on writing skills and creative ideation. Opportunities for communicating and sharing work were provided, alongside educational forums and discussions on wider interest topics. The project focused on place within the region, providing participants with a greater understanding of the local area.
Outcome: Inspire and mobilise individuals and community groups
Individuals an community groups were empowered to create spaces for communication and connection outside of the project, as well as explore and create ideas concerning future projects and opportunities for their communities.
Outcome: Nurture and heal individuals and community groups
Whilst this project doesn’t address healing directly, through establishing and strengthening community groups throughout the region, the arts have provided a place of mutual support and respect for individuals.
Outcome: Build and improve community capacity and infrastructure
Through education of individuals and empowerment concerning ideas and possible future projects, the project has established social capital throughout the region. Possibilities for increased tourism and employment opportunities will benefit the wider community infrastructure and workforce.
Conclusion
Community arts projects engage with the community to develop strong relationships, expanded arts education and reach and more vibrant communities. They achieve a range of community development and engagement outcomes through encouraging the community participation in consultation, involvement and ownership. This case study shows correlations between the theory provided for the value created by community based art projects and the Skywriters Project, considering the impact on participants education, inspiration for community mobilisation and the improvement of community capacity and infrastructure. Benefits of these impacts have been summarised and demonstrate a connection between the theory and outcomes achieved but the project.
This project has provided a space for community development and growth in the Central West and has empowered participants to think creatively about their personal artistic expression and how they can utilise the arts in developing and strengthening their communities.
References
ABS, 2018, 2016 Census Quickstats, Australian Bureau of Statistics, retrieved 10 August 2018, <http://quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2016/quickstat/103?opendocument>.
Arts OutWest, 2018, Arts OutWest About, Arts OutWest, retrieved 10 August 2018, <http://artsoutwest.org.au/about/>.
Arts OutWest, 2016, Arts OutWest Strategic Plan 2016-2018, Arts OutWest, retrieved 10 August 2018, <http://artsoutwest.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Arts-OutWest-Plan-2016-18-revised-150831.pdf>.
Australian Council for the Arts, 2018, Electorate Profiles, Australian Government, retrieved 10 August 2018, <http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/research/electorate-profiles/calare/>.
Big Skies Collaboration, 2018, Big Skies Collaboration About, Arts OutWest, retrieved 10 August 2018, <https://bigskiescollaboration.wordpress.com/about/>.
Duxbury, N & Campbell, H. 2011. ‘Developing and Revitalizing Rural Communities through Arts and Culture’. Small Cities Imprint, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 111-122.
Kay, A. 2000. ‘Art and community development: the role the arts have in regenerating communities’. Community Development Journal, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 414-424.
Newman, T, Curtis, K & Stephens, J. 2003. ‘Do community-based arts projects result in social gains? A review of the literature’. Community Development Journal, vol. 38, no. 4, pp. 310-322.
Rogers, M. 2005. ‘Social sustainability and the art of engagement - the small towns: big picture experience’. Local Environment, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 109-124.