Abstract
There are very few examples of research that involves the perspectives of women (inclusive of cis, trans and 2-spirited) and non-binary people who experience long periods of unresolved homelessness in co-designing their preferred housing spaces. Using the method of ‘creative mapping’ which intentionally draws upon a range of arts-based modalities, the Women Envisioning Supportive Housing (WESH) project engaged 25 women and non-binary people experiencing homelessness in individual arts-based workshops. Given the context of COVID-19, this research was conducted virtually (using Zoom). Women-serving organizations including shelters, drop-in spaces and transitional living programs in Hamilton, Ontario (Canada) were given a project lap-top and art-kits to provide to participants. During these three hour individual virtual workshops, participants used art and reflexive dialogue to explore and document their preferences a range of aspects relating to housing and support including; geographical location, spatial design, intentional safety features, community, participation and on-site supports. The arts-based modalities used during the creative mapping process included, drawing, blue-printing, photo elicitation, writing and mind-mapping. This presentation will explore ‘creative mapping’ as an arts-based method, with unique potential for bridging the social and physical worlds and communicating the social change priorities of marginalized populations. Lessons learned from WESH offer some unique insights into how to conduct virtual arts-based research with populations who face barriers to this type of engagement. The findings from this project will be used locally and nationally to advocate for gender-specific and inclusive forms of housing and support to better serve women experiencing long-term homelessness in Canada.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
The Arts in Social, Political, and Community Life
KEYWORDS
Virtual Arts-Based Research, Co-design, Creative-mapping, Women, Homelessness, Housing
