Understanding the Role of Informal Arts Participation in Community Development
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Date
2013-06-05
Authors
Amnah, Hilary
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Abstract
This research project examines how community member participation in informal arts activities
contributes to the community in which the activities are held. A central concept includes
analyzing informal arts participation that occurs in group settings through a community
development lens. Though there are few published works on the informal arts sector, Dr. Alaka
Wali’s research on informal arts participation in urban Chicago, Illinois neighborhoods and other
previous ethnographic research studies on the sector have inspired some of the research design.
Key findings suggest that informal arts participation builds social capital, breaks down social
barriers, and contributes to community identity. Through participant observation, key informant
interviews, document analysis/comparison of small case studies created through observation of
informal arts groups located in the city of Eugene, Oregon, the role of informal arts practices in
community development is explored.
Description
117 p. Examining committee chair: Dr. Lori Hager
Keywords
Informal arts, Community development, Social capital, Social barriers