Ed Meredith said something very profound in our group on this subject, I thought it worth sharing in this thread about artists in community.
Here are some simple thoughts on public art and community involvement and what the impact might be for the volunteers
and the people of the community...
On material and health considerations, a community/public art project can build inter-personal ties and promote volunteering
that increases opportunities for self-expression and enjoyment… it has also been seen to help reduce delinquency in high-risk youths…
On the cognitive and psychological aspects, there’s a good chance that involvement will increases a sense of individual efficacy and self-esteem
and improve the individuals’ sense of belonging or attachment to a community… and it can improve human capital by elevating the skills
and creative abilities of those involved directly… also interpersonal involvement will build individual social networks and enhances the ability
to work with others and communicate ideas… Not bad!...
And for those who witness the art/event, the audience if you will, their opportunity for enjoyment goes up while increasing cultural capital by possibly
enhancing visuo- spatial reasoning (Mozart Effect - look it up) so it just may improve school performance, and miracles to end miracles,
increase the tolerance of others…
Anyway, that's the short and cryptic version of my fantasy for the individuals exposed to the doing/making and experiencing community involved art.
