Arts For EveryBody’s Post

Action research? The simultaneous process of taking action and doing research 🚶♀️👄When I discovered this approach, I remember feeling very understood because it explains how I naturally operate - Nadine Patel FRSA and I are facilitating a first experiment for the Civic Creativity Insights Group on the practice of 'Walk & Talks' - The group of 8 will be London based and might be interested in creativity, community, change making, policy - pls come from all types/stages of life - Honorarium & access support available, funded by https://lnkd.in/ea_K6nKv 🚶♀️👄 This is an action research call out - apply 21 June here > https://lnkd.in/eFa5XFWc We know walking and talking is good for us. What more can it do in a community building, community action context? This is the kind of work that gives my brain and body butterflies. Also, May is national walking month. #communitybuilding #artists #policymakers #changemakers #walkandtalk #connection #civic #creativity

On this episode of Arts Engines, Aaron Dworkin speaks with Donna Collins, Executive Director of the Ohio Arts Council and Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA), who reflects on arts advocacy and its profound impact on communities. 🔍 Donna prompts us to question the efficacy of existing formulas and emphasizes the need for meaningful engagement with communities that have been marginalized. Additionally, she highlights the importance of listening to successful practitioners, organizations, and the communities they serve. 💡 Donna champions collaboration as the cornerstone of effective leadership, stressing the power of growing our support networks to navigate challenges and celebrate victories together. 🌟 It's crucial to recognize that advocating for the arts isn't a binary choice, a symptom of White Supremacy Culture, but an essential aspect of our shared humanity. Donna emphasizes the value of cross-sector collaboration, from Arts and Health to Arts and Housing, to foster resilience and unity. ⏳ In challenging times, Donna introduces the "80-10-10" rule, focusing 80% on the mission, 10% on community engagement, and 10% on professional development—a balanced approach for navigating uncertainty while staying true to our goals. However, what would it look like if we gave more effort to our communities and ourselves? #Arts #Culture #ArtsCouncil #Board #Agency #Advocacy #Community #Policy #Ohio #ProfessionalDevelopment #Human #Collaboration

What are the places within our society that bring communities together? I have been thinking about this a lot lately, with the backdrop of divisiveness looming behind all of us, lurking below every news headline. It is hard to feel inspired under that veil and it is hard to feel hopeful. I thought about my favorite memories growing up–where I felt a sense of family and a sense of community. Playing baseball or basketball with my Dad…Going to see The Nutcracker at the New York City Ballet (I was lucky enough to have a grandmother that lived in Lincoln Center and made it her mission to get us all out of the burbs and exposed to the arts)...The time my family went to see the Fantasticks Off-Broadway. And if my Mom happened to get a day off… a trip to the Bronx Zoo or the Museum of Natural History…I still have memories of that giant whale looming over us. More recently, to celebrate my mother’s 80th birthday, three generations of women in our family returned to our Lincoln Center stomping grounds to experience the thrill of the Paul Taylor Dance Company.  These experiences formed the fabric of my life. Opening the doors to other worlds, new experiences, and different cultures. These are the experiences that enhance creativity and unity; where communities can come together, learn, evolve and celebrate their differences. My fondness for these cultural outlets has made partnering and supporting the arts incredibly gratifying. But the question becomes how do we do more to propel the arts forward and galvanize communities? How do you make those experiences accessible to everyone and how do you ensure the continuity of cultural institutions? It is a balancing act between preservation and innovation. Honoring traditions while staying relevant. That happens through a variety of avenues including: audience engagement, leveraging digital platforms, expanding programming that appeal to a range of audiences and include contemporary issues. Through these efforts, it is crucial to maintain and update your mission statement so that it aligns with your goals and how you serve your audience. That process will help inform your marketing voice and brand communications, strengthening and engaging your relationship with your community. Let’s keep these staples of community and creativity thriving together! #CommunityArt #ArtisticUnity #CulturalEngagement #MakeADifference #nonprofitleadership #graphicdesign #marketing

A really well done study. One major takeaway for any of us involved in evaluating grants or distributing grant money is the disproportionately high number of large budget organizations receiving the bulk of grants funding. This seems to be a recurring theme in other studies and we need to do better in getting to smaller and BIPOC organizations that are in need. #artsfunding #grants

Have you heard about The Contribution Project? Watch here to learn about how a happiness boost is experienced by people with intellectual disabilities who participate in the project. Outstanding work from our own Dr Samuel Arnold https://lnkd.in/gAzd_cPy

On World Braille Day, we celebrate more than Louis Braille and his ingenious creation; we honor a legacy of empowerment and accessibility. Arising from a childhood accident, Louis transformed his blindness into a beacon of hope for millions. Louis Braille was born on 4th January 1809 in France and at 15, he crafted a system from Charles Barbier's night writing, giving birth to braille, a language of dots that opened worlds for the visually impaired. Today, we also acknowledge a hard truth: the journey toward full accessibility is ongoing. Even after so long, many everyday places still lack braille, limiting independence and choice for those who are blind or visually impaired. This day isn't just about celebrating an invention; it's about advocating for a world that values inclusivity as its core value. This World Braille Day, let's remember Louis Braille's vision: a world where accessibility is considered everywhere and where every touch tells a story of independence and empowerment. Join us in celebrating and advancing this vision, making our world more inclusive, one dot at a time. #Inclusivity #A11y #Disability #Braille #Signs

Yesterday, I wrote and delivered this national trends report to my local Goose Creek, SC Cultural Arts Commission. This report offers insights into emerging trends in the arts sector focusing on community engagement, equity, accessibility, and supporting diverse leadership within the arts. While some recommendations are tailored specifically to Goose Creek, such as supporting local arts-based businesses and making arts spaces more accessible, the overarching themes of inclusivity, equitable practices, and the importance of community engagement are universally applicable. This report encourages communities everywhere to evaluate their arts programming and initiatives through these lenses, suggesting that even those outside Goose Creek could find valuable strategies and ideas to apply locally. Whether it's diversifying the types of art presented, ensuring equitable pay and contracts for artists, or enhancing accessibility for all community members, there's a wealth of insights that can inspire positive changes in arts communities nationwide. #ArtsInnovation #CommunityArts #EquitableArts #CulturalTrends #ArtsAccessibility #InclusiveArts #LocalArtsImpact #CreativeCommunities #ArtsAdvocacy #GooseCreekArts

🎨💔 The arts are an integral part of our culture and community, yet many arts programs are facing critical challenges. The recent article "What We Lose When We Lose UARTS" in The Philadelphia Citizen highlights the profound impact of losing arts education and programs. From stifling creativity and innovation to diminishing cultural awareness and social cohesion, the loss of UARTS leaves a void that affects us all. Arts education is not just about learning to paint or play an instrument—it's about fostering critical thinking, empathy, and resilience. When we lose UARTS, we lose the opportunity to nurture future leaders, creators, and problem-solvers who can drive positive change in our society. 🌟 The article calls on us to recognize the value of arts programs and to advocate for their preservation and support. Let's come together to support and advocate for the preservation of arts education. Our future depends on nurturing the creativity and talents of the next generation. Dive into this powerful commentary to understand what's at stake and how we can make a difference. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g9x8vTrE #Artivism #SocialArtAndCulture #SaveTheArts #ArtsEducation #CreativeCommunities 🎨💪✨

Did you know that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is actively working on reparations to address historical harms against African American descendants of enslaved people, as outlined in the June 2024 Board motion? It is part of Los Angeles County’s formal apology for its role in slavery & post slavery injustice. The on-going reparations will address the following “Harms Caused by Slavery”: 1) Enslavement 2) Racial Terror 3) Political Disenfranchisement 4) Housing Segregation 5) Separate & Unequal Education 6) Racism in Environment & Infrastructure 7) Pathologizing the Black Family 8 Control over Creative, Cultural & Intellectual Life 9) Stolen Labor & Hindered Opportunity 10) An unjust legal System 11) Mental & physical harm & neglect 12) Wealth Gap Eligible individuals can participate in future reparations programs by completing the interest form available on the County’s reparations webpage. Get involved, scroll down and sign up: Reparations in Los Angeles County https://lnkd.in/gfXbqn2K,

Topic Tuesday: The Arts, from Frivolous to Fundamental... When did the ARTS become a four-letter word? You know, you get the 'not again' eye roll when you start the 'impact of the arts' conversation. 🙄 As nonprofit arts CEOs, we've all faced the frustrating challenge of conveying the profound impact of the creative sector amidst the sea of demands from donors. But here's the secret: To turn your arts advocacy into results, focus on showcasing how the arts are not just "feel-good" but fundamental for solving human service challenges. It's about weaving narratives that connect art with solutions, creativity with innovation, and culture with progress. Let's make 'ARTS' synonymous with 'FUNDAMENTAL' by relating the work to real-world problem-solving. Feel free to comment on how you went from frivolous to fundamental. #ArtsAdvocacy #FundamentalArts