Few things unite and promote community engagement like arts programs and initiatives. From multigenerational interaction to volunteerism, cities that have a robust local arts community foster greater cohesion and collaboration.
Diverse arts engagement is especially important in large cities, where the sheer population size makes it easy for residents to become disengaged with each other and their communities.
In his book, “The Creative Community Builder’s Handbook: How to Transform Communities Using Local Assets, Arts and Culture”, Tom Borrup notes, “Civic institutions, like museums, public galleries, community art organizations, performing art institutions, arts councils and public arts organizations have a rare opportunity to lead significant change by engaging specific groups to help devise and carry out creative community-building neighborhood programs.”
Borrup proposes the enhanced use of public spaces as a way to engage residents in their local arts, in addition to promoting unity among those in the community.
Whether it’s visual arts, dance or music, it has been proven time and time again that unique arts programs build healthier, happier communities, while also fostering education.
The National Guild for Community Arts Engagement, located in New York City, works with more than 400 arts organizations in 45 states across the country to build, operate and facilitate community enriching programing.
By working at a grassroots level, the National Guild for Community Arts Engagement has worked with its partner agencies to provide more than 2.5 million American youth with arts instruction each year.
“When these programs are sustained and respond to community needs, they encourage cognitive development, increase creativity, improve self-esteem, and promote better health.” Points out the Guild’s website on arts and community. “Community arts education programs also build social capital, foster democratic decision making, advance economic growth, and generate a sense of shared culture and community belonging.”
Jeff Melanson, who works as a volunteer at the National Guild for Community Arts Engagement and has more than a decade of leading organizations like The Banff Centre and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, comes into his work with the Guild with a unique understanding of the power of arts education. Melanson has seen firsthand the power of the arts to inspire today’s youth and engage older demographics.
“On both sides of the border, Canada and the United States, and around the world communities that are flourishing are those that take arts education as seriously as they do any other public program,” comments Jeff Melanson.
Melanson also highlights the power the arts have on mental and physical health and well-being. “The arts nurture creativity, which, when you come down to it, is vital for the human spirit,” he adds.
The positive impact arts engagement has on communities spearheaded the Projects for Public Spaces initiative to promote the artistic use of public space. The American organization, with community partners across the country, notes that community festivals and celebrations, collaborative art and beautification projects are some of the most transformative initiatives communities can engage in.
While local arts classes and programs do a great job supporting the artistic aspirations of local residents, art advocacy groups are calling for more cross-communication between arts organizations that work in communities and all levels of government.
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Guest Author Bio
Chris Bain
Chris Bain is a Canadian born entrepreneur and freelance writer. Chris has traveled to an eclectic collection of countries and considers himself a global citizen. As a journalist, Chris’ passion centers around writing special interest stories featuring narratives about the human condition and people rising above circumstances. Chris is also an avid photographer who enjoys photographing landscapes and nature. He also has previous experience in the finance and restaurant sector.
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