Neighbourhood impacts of arts and culture include the degree to which people feel they live in a vibrant area as a result of a concentration of cultural assets, the way in which neighbourhoods rely on culture to provide links between residents and communities, and the ways in which culture has been used to regenerate areas of towns and cities.

The summaries in this category are:

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 …

By | 5 May 2015 |

How an art project empowered a Sardinian village

This research was conducted by Claudia Sardu and three other people at the University of Cagliari, Italy.

Summary

This paper tells the story of how a community arts project in 1979 galvanised the inhabitants of a village in Sardinia, leaving them empowered to develop together as a coherent unit, rather than …

By | 5 May 2015 |

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 …

By | 5 May 2015 |

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 …

By | 5 May 2015 |

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 …

By | 5 May 2015 |

Fostering creativity by building the ‘good city’

This research was conducted by Justin O’Connor and Kate Shaw at Monash University and University of Melbourne, Australia

Summary

Many accounts of the ‘creative city’ stress the economic benefits of the arts. This paper argues that the arts also play an integral role in fostering inclusive urban communities. Furthermore, that the …

By | 24 March 2015 |

Understanding ‘place’ in arts-driven urban development

This research was conducted by Carl Grodach and three other people at Queensland University of Technology, Australia; University of Southern California and University of Texas at Arlington, USA

Summary

Do location factors such as affordable rent, neighbourhood aesthetics, and demographic diversity always predict the formation of artistic clusters in the United …

By | 24 March 2015 |

Using mega events to increase profile and reach audiences

This research was conducted by Duncan Low and Peter V. Hall at the Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada.

Summary

This paper looks at the benefits of hosting a Cultural Olympiad for different kinds of arts organisations in the host city. It takes Vancouver 2010 as an example and argues that …

By | 11 December 2014 |

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 …

By | 11 December 2014 |

Four types of arts-based community development

This research was conducted by Rhonda Phillips at the University of Florida, USA [Now at Purdue University, USA]

Summary

This paper identifies four general types of arts-based community development programme: arts business incubators, arts cooperatives, tourist venues and comprehensive approaches. Each is illustrated with a shot vignette from a location in …

By | 16 April 2014 |