The Impact of Murals
The impact of murals: the process and the paintings
Jeanine Guidry, 10 July 2011, Richmond, VA
Introduction
Ron Chew, in his excellent essay “ Community-based arts organizations: a new center of gravity” mentions the interesting, and widespread, acknowledgement that traditional European art forms like ballet, opera, and the symphony can no longer be considered the sole windows into a community’s artistic soul and the sole measure of this country’s creativity (Chew, 2009, p.1-2). A segment of arts organizations – once viewed as less attractive distant cousins to the “big boys” – has emerged at the center of this more expansive vision of the arts. These typically small and midsized arts organizations, often community-based in their mission or practice, provide a canvas for the works of emerging artists and are bustling laboratories of experimentation and innovation. The work of these organizations moves people to understand that art can be about more than engaging in an aesthetic experience. Art can also comfort in times of trouble, heal personal wounds, inspire community participation, and foster a more compassionate society. That last sentence is what inspired us to start Arts in the Alley in 2008.
Situation Analysis and Research Questions Arts in the Alley is a Richmond, Va.-based initiative that brings together volunteers of diverse backgrounds to revitalize run-down inner-city alleys by cleaning the area and painting murals, thereby turning the alleyways into colorful outdoor art galleries. Goals of the project are making the neighborhoods better places to live, work and play; impacting the lives of volunteers and especially at-risk teenage volunteers; and increasing community engagement among current Arts in the Alley volunteers. Up to this point we have grasped the results of Arts in the Alley solely through observation and experiential learning – in order to plan for the future as well as better communicate with potential funders,
Jeanine Guidry, 10 July 2011, Richmond, VA
Introduction
Ron Chew, in his excellent essay “ Community-based arts organizations: a new center of gravity” mentions the interesting, and widespread, acknowledgement that traditional European art forms like ballet, opera, and the symphony can no longer be considered the sole windows into a community’s artistic soul and the sole measure of this country’s creativity (Chew, 2009, p.1-2). A segment of arts organizations – once viewed as less attractive distant cousins to the “big boys” – has emerged at the center of this more expansive vision of the arts. These typically small and midsized arts organizations, often community-based in their mission or practice, provide a canvas for the works of emerging artists and are bustling laboratories of experimentation and innovation. The work of these organizations moves people to understand that art can be about more than engaging in an aesthetic experience. Art can also comfort in times of trouble, heal personal wounds, inspire community participation, and foster a more compassionate society. That last sentence is what inspired us to start Arts in the Alley in 2008.
Situation Analysis and Research Questions Arts in the Alley is a Richmond, Va.-based initiative that brings together volunteers of diverse backgrounds to revitalize run-down inner-city alleys by cleaning the area and painting murals, thereby turning the alleyways into colorful outdoor art galleries. Goals of the project are making the neighborhoods better places to live, work and play; impacting the lives of volunteers and especially at-risk teenage volunteers; and increasing community engagement among current Arts in the Alley volunteers. Up to this point we have grasped the results of Arts in the Alley solely through observation and experiential learning – in order to plan for the future as well as better communicate with potential funders,
References: Becker, J. (2004), Public Art: An Essential Component of Creating Communities. Monograph (Americans for the Arts), Washington, D.C.: Americans for the Arts, 5-9. Chew, R. (2009). Community-based arts organizations: a new center of gravity. Washington, D.C.: Americans for the Arts, 1-2. Guetzkow, J. (2002), How the Arts Impact Communities: an introduction to the literature on arts impact studies. Presented at the Taking the Measure of Culture Conference, Princeton University, 1,2,3,10,21. Gyekis, E. (2009), Community Murals as Processes of Collaborative Engagement: Case Studies in Urban and Rural Pennsylvania. Bachelor’s thesis, Schreyer Honors College. Howard, T. (2011), Telephone conversation with the author. Lawson, D. (2008), Personal conversation with the author. Lowe, S. S. (2000), Creating Community: Art for Community Development. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography 29(3): 8, 364, 367, 369, 375. Mallonnee, L.D. (2010), Capturing Community Value: The Role of Local Arts Organizations in Revitalization, Civic Engagement, and Community-Building. Eugene, OR: University of Oregon. Mueller, M. K. (1979), Murals: Creating an Environment. Worcester, MA: Davis Publications. History of the Mural Arts Project, Philadelphia Mural Arts Program website. Retrieved July 8, 2011. http://muralarts.org/about/history Stern, M.J., Amrofel, L., Dyer, G., &Wolk, A