Particpatory

From The Hawkes Library; affiliated with FourthPillar.biz
© 15/10/09 Jon Hawkes <email> <web>
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Participatory arts

Describes empowered and hands-on collaborative involvement in art making. Its practice embodies the principle that we are all creative, and that we all have a need, a desire, a responsibility and a right to be actively involved in making our own culture.

Participatory arts is an invaluable instrumental tool:

in the development of a society of fulfilled, healthy and engaged citizens;
in the process of democratic governance;
in the development of dynamic social communications;
in the delivery of public services; and
in the achievement of a wide range of social objectives, including, not least, the building of community.

Public bodies should nurture widespread engagement in these processes because:

The insights and experiences participants gain through these activities make it easier for them to become better and more effective citizens;
Utilising these practices in programs such as community education, community building, health promotion, cross-cultural understanding, etc, will enhance organisational responsiveness, delivery and flexibility; and
Embedding these practices in the everyday processes of governance has the capacity to improve community engagement, communications, decision-making, policy development, expression of goals and evaluation.

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