Art and Community Development | Why level up with local artists during Crisis?

Times of hardship offer good opportunities for reflection upon growth, evolution, and goal setting to pave the way forward. It's in these moments that the reality of how difficult effecting change can dawn on us. This is just as true in the professional space as it is in our personal lives, and certainly even more true when we think about our organizations and systems.

As agents of change, it is not enough for us to merely envision ideas. We ought to, in large and small ways, learn new practices, shift our mindsets, adjust our systems and protocols to enact this vision, and try new and innovative ways of doing things to become more and more productive in our communities. 

The arts are fundamental to our humanity. They ennoble and give us inspiration. They foster creativity, goodness, and beauty. Furthermore, they bring us joy, help us express our values, and make them memorable as well as build bridges between cultures. The arts are a paramount component in the building of healthy communities, strengthening them socially, educationally, as well as economically.

The use of arts and culture to shape, build and identify communities is not a new concept; however, its place in the realm of community development is gaining more resonance and credibility by community development practitioners, funders, policymakers, and community stakeholders themselves. 

The growth of creative placemaking as a serious practice is not just about how many creative placemaking projects happen in the world. It is also about how we shift the relationships between operating systems of artists, arts organizations, and the field of community development. The process of integrating art into community development is rewarding but arduous, particularly for emerging leaders such as myself. It often feels like you have to ‘prove’ yourself, understand, and speak the language of two different fields. 

Despite increasing globalization, communities are beginning to recognize their own identity, culture, traditional art forms, and the value of working together at a local level. But as we all know; the first question is almost always why? Why should art be integrated into community development? 

Well, the answer is quite simple, just as keynote Jeremy Nowak said: “The arts are not the dessert, but a key part of the meal.” The arts and culture are not an option in our communities. They already exist, in some form, everywhere, and, in these various forms, they help in building bridges between people, they foster ideas and places. With the right support, they thrive effectively. So, tell me then why a connective tissue like the arts should not be included in other fields or sectors? If the purpose of community development is to empower community members and enhance a community’s well-being, whether physical, economic, sociocultural, environmental, or otherwise, then why not use the arts as the natural thread linking these different aspects?

Supporting local talent is a great opportunity for cultures to connect, and for communities to grow together. There are several reasons why you should support local work. Apart from it driving tourism and rewarding innovative minds for their beautiful talents, art has the ability to share common values and beliefs between different groups of people. This type of communication is of extreme importance to society. No matter the place of origin of the piece, what matters is the message portrayed, and the skills used to showcase that beautiful social structure. Find below some reasons why you should support local arts agencies during a crisis:

It’s affordable for society

Often local art is more affordable and economical compared to when one purchases iconic, international pieces that are world-renowned already. Most of them are not yet household names; hence the affordability of their pieces. However, as the artist gains more recognition, their pieces; even those purchased prior, rise in value. It is therefore a worthwhile long-term investment.

It's original and different

Be it landscapes, portraits, or wildlife, local artists always offer something original and unique. Most pieces are designed without the use of the latest technologies to assist or speed up the process, therefore these handmade pieces are exceptional. Purchasing something that is carefully crafted and different brings a sense of exclusivity to your purchase. In addition to that, local art also gives you an opportunity to meet the artist and learn to appreciate and respect the artist’s background and story.

Grow the creative economy

60% of adults say that the more creative and innovative they are at their job, the more successful they are in the workplace. Creativity is among the top five skills sought by business leaders, per the Conference Board’s Ready to Innovate report (72% say creativity is of high importance when hiring). Engaging in the arts is among the top indicators of creativity. 

Art fuels the economy because, in such tight economic conditions, artists struggle to sell their work, and individuals struggle to support them because of the cost. With local art, it’s affordable, and it’s easier to support because you’re supporting content that resonates with you. Artists’ only hope is to create enough awareness through local communities and networks to get their work out there, so if we support local creativity, we’re empowering artists to keep exploring their hobbies and showing the world how needed they truly are.

Promote and drive tourism 

As travel restrictions begin to lift, art travelers are ideal tourists, staying longer and spending more to seek out authentic cultural experiences. From seniors to children, it’s a brilliant educational opportunity for the younger generations to learn more about the history of African art, and to help them appreciate such talent.

Create a sense of culture

Arts are a common denominator in almost every country’s history. Creativity is a beautiful experience that brings people and communities together, regardless of race, gender, age, or religion. Take African art, for example, artists always express their feelings using specific topics that resonate with many people. That’s what brings cultures together to celebrate our heritage.  

Inspire young minds          

Younger generations are delving into creative careers where they’ve started using their talents to earn money. For this trend to keep moving, our existing communities need to support local artists to show children just how important and special it is. Local schools and galleries should offer various talks and programs on the different types of art, where children can learn more about this industry in case, they are interested in growing into it. Having a creative mind encourages children to explore new skills, and it also holds plenty of cognitive benefits for young, developing brains. If we inspire and encourage children to explore their individual creativity, it will give them the confidence to succeed in other areas of their lives.

As emerging leaders, we have the ability and responsibility to push our field more innovative, inclusive, and impactful. And while it may be a hard task, we benefit from having greater access to each other, resources, and other fields to learn, to collaborate, and to shape the future of the arts, especially how they are connected to and made more valuable to non-arts entities. The more we reach outside our traditional realm and link the arts to other parts of the community, the more we are able to help others discover the arts as “a key part of the meal”, integral to and intertwined with our daily lives and community’s well-being.

As that happens, the question no longer becomes, “Are the arts valuable investments in our communities?” but rather, “How could we ever imagine developing our communities without these lenses and practices informing every step of the way?”