This section showcases research that looks at how cultural organisations can effectively reach out to the public. More information about this subject can be found at the Consultation Institute and Involve.
The summaries in this category are:
Highbrow literature may be the cultural common ground among a community of strangers
This research was conducted by Nadezhda Sokolova and Mikhail Sokolov at European University at Saint Petersburg, Russia
Summary
This paper challenges the assumption that popular culture (rather than highbrow elite culture) is the ‘shared ground’ on which strangers like likely to meet and converse. The researchers analysed data from the St …
Building partnerships to support creative placemaking
This research was conducted by Jamie Levine Daniel and Mirae Kim at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and Georgia State University, USA
Summary
This paper describes the outcomes of a workshop on creative placemaking which brought together ‘local community leaders, planners, economic developers, tourism or cultural administrators’. Creative placemaking ‘intentionally leverages the …
Thinking about cultural engagement in terms of capabilities and ecologies
This research was conducted by Jonathan Gross and Nick Wilson at King’s College London
Summary
This paper proposes a new way to think about the role and purpose of cultural policy and arts administration: the fulfilment of people’s cultural capabilities. This proposal comes out of a critique of existing …
Effective community engagement during capital development projects
This research was conducted by Joanna Woronkowicz at Indiana university, USA
Summary
This paper tries to understand what happens when an arts organisation undertakes community engagement efforts to support a capital construction programme. The study used survey data from managers of non-profit arts organisations in the US between 1994 and 2008 …
Reach migrant audiences by increasing education
This research was conducted by Gerbert Kraaykamp, Natascha Notten and Hidde Bekhuis at Radboud University, The Netherlands
Summary
This research draws on large-scale survey data to explore possible explanations for the relative lack of engagement in (Western) highbrow culture of migrant communities in the Netherlands. Focusing on Turkish and Moroccan communities …
Poetry as a positive community development tool
This research was conducted by Sandra D. Sjollema and Jill Hanley at McGill University, Canada.
Summary
This paper sought to investigate the impact of poetry for community development. The study found that poetry groups are used as a tool for community development in community settings, generating numerous benefits for both disadvantaged …
Art can help involve citizens in local planning processes
This research was conducted by Marian Stuiver and three others at Wageningen University and Research Centre, Utrecht University, and the University of Leiden, The Netherlands.
Summary
This study looked at the potential of art as a way of involving citizens in the processes of regional transitions. In this article, researches asked …
The arts have an important role in regenerating communities
This article was written by Alan Kay.
Summary
This article is based on a study of four arts projects in Scotland, each had an important role to play in local regeneration programmes. It found that, overall, art projects are versatile, can be used in training and employment, appeal to young people …
Art spaces can act as community spaces
This research was conducted by Carl Grodach at the University of Texas at Arlington, USA
Summary
This research explored the role of community arts spaces in providing public space and in this way supporting community development. It provides a comprehensive inventory of community art spaces (such as artist cooperatives, ethnic-specific art …
The role of the arts in event-led regeneration policies
This research was conducted by Beatriz García at the University of Glasgow
Summary
This paper argues that event-led urban regeneration strategies do not necessarily lead to the development of sustainable arts programming. It recommends a more balanced and locally embedded approach towards city renewal through arts and culture. The paper features …