From The Hawkes Library; affiliated with FourthPillar.biz
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The social impact of participation in the arts

'The case for supporting participatory arts projects arises principally from their contribution to social policy objectives'

'The case for supporting participatory arts projects arises principally from their contribution to social policy objectives' From Francois Matarasso Use or Ornament?: The Social Impact of Participation in the Arts (1997) Comedia

Personal development

• Increase people's confidence & sense of self worth
• Extend involvement in social activity
• Give people influence over how they are seen by others
• Stimulate interest & confidence in the arts
• Provide a forum to explore personal rights & responsibilities
• Contribute to the educational development of children
• Encourage adults to take up education & training opportunities
• Help build new skills & work experience
• Contribute to people's employability
• Help people take up or develop careers in the arts

Social cohesion

• Reduce isolation by helping people to make friends
• Develop community networks & sociability
• Promote tolerance and contribute to conflict resolution
• Provide a forum for intercultural understanding & friendship
• Help validate the contribution of a whole community
• Promote intercultural contact & co-operation
• Develop contact between the generations
• Help offenders and victims address issues of crime
• Provide a route to rehabilitation & integration of offenders

Community empowerment & self-determination

• Build community organisational capacity
• Encourage local self-reliance & project management
• Help people extend control over their own lives
• Be a means of gaining insight into political & social ideas
• Facilitate effective public consultation & participation
• Help involve local people in the regeneration process
• Facilitate the development of partnership
• Build support for community projects
• Strengthen community co-operation & networking

Local image & identity

• Develop pride in local traditions & cultures
• Help people feel a sense of belonging & involvement
• Create community traditions in new towns or neighbourhoods
• Involve residents in environmental improvements
• Provide reasons for people to develop community activities
• Improve perceptions of marginalised groups
• Help transform the image of public bodies
• Make people feel better about where they live

Imagination & vision

• Help people develop their creativity
• Erode the distinction between consumer & creator
• Allow people to explore their values, meanings & dreams
• Enrich the practice of professionals in the public & voluntary sectors
• Transform the responsiveness of public service organisations
• Encourage people to accept risk positively
• Help community groups raise their vision beyond the immediate
• Challenge conventional service delivery
• Raise expectations about what is possible and desirable

Health & well-being

• Have a positive impact on how people feel
• Be an effective means of health education
• Contribute to a more relaxed atmosphere in health centres
• Help improve the quality of life of people with poor health
• Provide a unique & deep source of enjoyment

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From The Hawkes Library; affiliated with FourthPillar.biz

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