Participatory Arts - an interesting way of working
Participatory
arts as with all creative experiences often provides opportunities for the
participant to learn or further develop a range of new skills. However, its
main focus or purpose extends beyond learning a specific skill or craft.
Anyone
engaging in a participatary arts project or activity will soon discover that
at its heart, it is about working with others towards the shared experience
or goal of creating a collaborative piece of work. This can often be thought
of as a journey of discovery and exploration.
Participants
often draw inspiration from a variety of known art forms, personal experiences,
interests and ideas to create a collaborative piece of their own.
Together
we will work together to:
- Decide
on a initial concept, purpose and a final goal ... or WHAT
- Consider the practical
planning stages relating to the activity... HOW
- Create ...
WHERE
- Reflect
on their experiences ... WHY
- Apply
these new found skills and experiences in the future ... WHO
My role
within this is as a facilitator and enabler working with others towards a
collective aim or idea which is ultimatately central to the experience itself.
This
way of working is just one starting point for working in this way and has
been inspired by two popular methods used for problem solving.
- The
5 Whys problem solving technique was made popular in the 1970s by the Toyota
Production System for more information visit ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_Whys
) and
- The
Five Ws (also known as the Five W's (and one H), or Six W's) often used
in journalism and education environments ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Ws
)
What are the
benefits in this style of working?
- It
can offer opportunities to focus on specific issues related to
solving problems.
- It
is flexible and can be used to engage people in a variety of experiences
e.g. creating a piece of physical art, or a interactive experience or event.
- It can enable participants the opportunity to explore existing
aspirations, visions and concerns within their community (what ever that
might be) whilst remembering and valuing the opportunities and strengths
that already exist
- It can bring about opportunities for people to get to know each
other better.
- It is an
ideal tool for bringing together people from different ages and backgrounds
and is
especially interesting when its purpose or reason relates to developing
new skills, and building confidence.
- It can challenge traditional ways of working
by placing the starting point or points at the middle or end .
- It premotes creativity and
encourages the indivdual to explore their own ability to create.
- It
enables participants to make choices about how and when they wish to get
involved.
- This
style or approach is suitable for short term one of activities as well as
long term on going projects.
For
more information and thoughts about how this style of working might work for
you please contact me to discuss this further.
