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My wonderful sister Cathy works in Nottingham and I invited her to write a short piece about community arts; I strongly feel that through building connections across regions and projects we can highlight and build upon the wonderful work that artists do. Together we can learn good practice, share ideas and build positive meaningful relationships with the communities we are in.
"I’ve been brought up with a belief that community arts is important. It’s not really something I’ve ever questioned or examined because to me it’s always been a given. However, I find that more and more of my time is spent writing funding applications, where I need to justify why widening engagement in the arts is important and how we are going to go about it - especially in communities where there are barriers to participation in arts and culture.
I work as an arts coordinator in Nottingham North; the fifth most deprived constituency in the UK. Last week, together with a fantastic group of local arts champions, we submitted a bid to the Creative Civic Change programme, which if successful will help more people across Bulwell in Nottingham engage with arts in all its forms – from dance groups, singing groups, knit and natter groups, performing arts and visual arts experiences – a whole range of opportunities designed to be close to where people live, championed by local people, in safe, accessible and affordable spaces.
While having fantastic arts venues in the centre of Nottingham is wonderful; there is still a need to engage people where they are at; and provide opportunities where communities take the lead in encouraging confidence and promoting the message that art is for everyone. There are so many kinds of art that can feel elitist and out of reach. Engaging with contemporary art can seem daunting, challenging or even pointless; going to the theatre can seem like an expensive luxury; stepping into the gallery can make people feel uncomfortable and out of place.
How can our city’s arts organisations truly welcome people in; while also meeting people where they are?
By developing connections with local community champions; deepening their understanding of local community needs over a period of years (not just 6 week projects), and giving local people an opportunity to plan and programme with them; arts organisations can demonstrate their commitment to community engagement. ‘People aren’t interested around here’ is used as an excuse not to try; and it’s often not true if you talk to people! I realise while writing this, that challenging misconceptions and stereotypes is a big part of what I do; both on behalf of arts organisations and community groups.
Members of community centre committees, residents groups, health visitors, school teachers – they also have a role to seek out and engage with artists and the creative sector – to make requests, share their concerns, speak up about their willingness to explore and create two-way learning experiences.
There isn’t a right or wrong answer; but there is a context of austerity, public service cuts, and a diminishing of community and voluntary sector funding. If we want artists, arts organisations and communities to grow in strength, resilience and understanding, we need both to be willing to try new approaches and trust in each other to look for what each has to offer. It’s also about having fun and making people smile. The arts is an important release valve!
Fingers and toes are crossed for the success of our current funding bids! But whether successful of not, the importance of people being willing to share their skills, come together to express themselves and ‘see’ each other, is really what it’s all about."
Cathy Mahmood, Creative Nottingham North Coordinator
www.creativenottinghamnorth.com
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