Fourteenth International Conference on the Arts in Society

Abstract

HUMANITY identifies ways to consider, evaluate, and create diverse and previously unallied organizations in coalitions for longterm achievement of social, economic, and aesthetic outcomes co-defined by the populations the project and/or program is intended to serve. Current examples from African-American neighborhoods will illustrate strategic and culturally relevant approaches to deepen artistic and social imprints of place that breathe life into degenerated communities. The showcase will expand upon definitions, values, and applications of cross-currents among ideas and alliances - a form of civic curation that realigns physical, social, economic, and cultural assets to reveal unique alchemies for distinction in the work of creative placemaking initiatives. These impactful and redesigned paradigms produce experiences and outcomes in which neighborhood residents see their streets differently, become more engaged in the future of their community, and find reverberations through which to express loyalty and pride of place. The presentation will also highlight new and successful models to address how leaders of NGOs can support one another in service to creative redevelopment strategies, incorporate the voices of those who are disenfranchised into design directions that restore civic health, and learn the fundamental questions to ask residents such that the answers are charged with deep social meaning and history.