art hives conversation/workshop april 22nd 2015session was to connect diverse interested...
TRANSCRIPT
Art Hives Conversation/Workshop April 22nd 2015 On Wednesday, April 22nd 2015, an intersector Art Hives gathering was held at the Food ARC space at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The intention of the session was to connect diverse interested demographics around the concept of Art Hives, give the context of University research into Art Hives, get an overview of what Art Hives are currently active in Nova Scotia, celebrate the successes that are already happening through Art Hives activities, and to explore how to build and then sustain a thriving set of Art Hive communities across Canada and inform the agenda for a fall Art Hives Symposium in Halifax. In attendance were over 52 community members, university professors and staff, government employees, artists, youth artists, representatives of private funding agencies, researchers and many more. The group came together out of an interest in the Art Hives concept as a way of holding the space for artistic activities that strengthen communities and increase wellbeing.
LIST OF ATTENDEES Organizers
Ryan Veltmeyer Co-founder/ED of Youth Art Connection
Dr. Janis
Timm-Bottos
Assistant Professor, Concordia University
Dr. Ardra Cole Associate Vice-President, Academic and Research
Attendees
Ann Denny Co-founder/ED of Youth Art Connection
Paul Shakotko
United Way
Dale Sheppard Curator of Education & Public Programs at the Art Gallery of
Nova Scotia
Chavasse Bain
African NS Affairs
Colin Campbell
African NS Affairs
Lori Burke Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design
Amina Abawajy Avalon, Wonder’neath Art Studios
Ashton
Rodenheiser
Bridgewater Art Happening
Tony Lanz Bridgewater Art Happening
Emma Williams Bridgewater Art Happening
Karen Langolis
Guy Doucette Back Burner Productions (former company in To)
Ann Power (Department of Education)
Stacy O'Rourke (NS Lotteries & Casino Corporation / 21 Inc)
Melinda
Spooner
Tamar Dina
Music Liberatory - Women Black Folk Artists Collective (Art
Hive)
Tammy Milbury MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning
LaMeia Reddick Community Engagement Consultant
Kristen Lewis The Mersey Art Society
Susie Brigham MSVU, Faculty of Education
Sylvia Calatayud
Elizabeth Church MSVU
Shawn Cleary MSVU, Business
Stephanie
Mason
NSCAD
Marnina Gonick MSVU
Allan Neilsen MSVU
Eva Knoll MSVU
Ingrid Jenkner MSVU
Sabine Fels Arts Express (Art Hive)
Terri Whetstone 4Cs Foundation
Caitlin Doucette
Laura Swine Heartwood ED
Sylvia Calatayud
Genevieve Allen
Hearn
Rachel Derrah Graphic facilitator, Co*Lab
Savvy Simon Savvy Unlimited, #speakmikmaq
Felicia Dedam
Willow Davidson artist
Willow Starr
Charlotte
Marble
artist
Marietta Wildt 100in1day Festival
Erica Dalhousie, Arts for Change
Stephanie
Mason
NSCAD, School of Extended Studies
Caitlin McGuire artist
Cate Heimpel artist
Danielle
Goodfellow
SMU, Office of Innovation and Community Engagement
Elizabeth Church MSVU, Vice-President (Academic)
Shawn Cleary MSVU, Business and Tourism
Marnina Gonick MSVU, Women’s Studies
Allan Neilson MSVU, Education
Susie Brigham MSVU, Education
Eva Knoll MSVU, Education
Heather
Wilkinson
Wonder’neath (Art Hive)
Melissa Marr Wonder’neath (Art Hive)
Megan +
Margaret Pegg
TeamPossibles, Team City Art Hive
Xuan Thuy
Nguyen
MSVU, Education
Nora Perry MSVU, Centre for Women in Business
Ingrid Jenkner MSVU, Art Gallery
Paula Barry MSVU, International Education Centre
Meagan Soley MSVU, Spark Zone
Krista
Montelpare
MSVU, Research Office
Hannah Minzloff photo-based artist
Susan Walsh MSVU, Education
Megan Pegg Team City Art Hive
Patty Williams Food ARC
Sal Badali Dean, Faculty of Education
Kate MacLennan HRM
Michelle Forrest MSVU
Isabella Redgate MSVU student
Kim Kitmappe MSVU
Peter
Mombourquette
Pam Corell SMU Art Gallery
Jyelle Vogel
Susan Wolf MSVU Art Galelry
Cat MacKeigan Dalhousie PhD
SCHEDULE Introductory remarks Ardra Cole Associate VicePresident Academic and Research spoke the role of research and connections between universities like Mount Saint Vincent and communities. Janis TimmBottos Art Hives Founder spoke via Skype about the Art Hives concept, history and research connected to it. Ryan Veltmeyer Cofounder of Youth Art Connection spoke about Art Hives in the context of Nova Scotia, and how social and economic outcomes can be supported and measured, in the context of research on social impact and economic development goals laid out in the Ray Ivany report. Hosted conversation with Art Hives 8 Art Hives from Nova Scotia were present and introduced themselves to attendees. These art hives then hosted conversations about their work with attendees. World Cafe Facilitated Conversations Following introductory conversations with Art Hives, Ryan Veltmeyer lead attendees in a World Cafe format discussion exploring 3 key points:
1. What is currently happening with Art Hives in Nova Scotia and what are they achieving? What are the social and economic outcomes?
2. What challenges are faced by Art Hives in reaching their social and economic outcomes?
3. Considering the successes and challenges of Art Hives as models for positive community change, and considering the upcoming Art Hives Symposium in the fall of 2015 in Halifax, what actions and ideas should be focused on?
GRAPHIC FACILITATION Graphic facilitator Rachel Derrah captured ideas, conversations and suggestions for action through a beautiful graphic facilitation. Below is an image of this, as well as detailed notes of the graphic facilitation collected by Cofounder of Youth Art Connection, Ann Denny.
[GRAPHIC FACILITATION PAGE] ART HIVES the story so far UNIVERSITY + COMMUNITY let’s create space to explore this connection Art into research Social change Community connection HEALTH EMPLOYABILITY URBAN RESILIENCY BEING PREPARED FOR CHANGE ARTS ARE ALWAYS HERE TO SERVE Artists need to make a living Encourage challenging conversation Its already happening here Our social problems ARE our economic problems Artists to contribute to gentrification (pave the way for? complex relationship) Art Hive as a welcome mat to community Be on the edge Constantly bringing in people who are not like ourselves New + Radical change underlying model Governments need to get out of the way Citizens need to get out of their own way Community arts projects should develop free of government initiatives Structures Prevent Creativity <change the infrastructure! Qualitative not quartitative analysis (a lot about quality of life) Adaptable to constant change Subversive Radical new ideas about city outside of bit success breaking down traditional roles ways to share stories
gives communities a way to share their voice and stories Support Delivery arts are institutionalized in Canada, where does accountability come from? make plans, put in work, leaders who startup economic viability… importance of opening spaces, sharing creative resources + taking care of one another learning & training & support physical delivery of hive service or good varies.. bicycles additional suuport expertise direct support funding Arts Benefit the Economy let’s talk money tourism and hospitality, $ being infused into the local economy local business fundraisers, copromotion linked economy growth legitizing art as business not necessarily traditional funding grants, ticket sales etc.. flexible and adaptible cannot depend solely on grants for financial support consumerism + capitalism, more local more green sustained funding all costs associated to arts events are multifaceted enough to contribute to wide economy New Ways to Exchange Sustained Funding Government support, is it their responsibility? Funding: individual | business | government alternate structures to traditional monetary for service exchange arts funding limited corporate culture support by Funding Organization (this concept isn’t known by funding) measuring economic benefit, stories, e.g. mental health cannot separate money from the conversation, but it should be separate Expression & Leadership artists as leaders in the community creating new leaders from their experience as participants youth gain confidence + economic savvy e.g. Hope Blooms art as potential for selfexpression sense of ownership support and inspiration for the people involved pride in the city transforms people’s identities making soul connections with others, self expression of the arts
Ease of Access addresses isolation cultural/regional/artist perception of access intimidation spaces that have freedom + security entire community supports, easy access accessibility for all (wheelchairs etc..) using accessible language for all community (business, families etc..) community accessibility but the worry that it will become institutionalized loss of access Connecting Community Get Whole Community Involved, Diverse Gathering bringing diverse groups together opportunity for people to come together across age, class, race, abilities people feel valued and contribute to their community makes a community appealing art can link many/multiple disciplines scencies, health, etc.. facilitate interactions feeling WELCOME defining “community” multiple community bridging and connect get WHOLE community involved having everyone in one room, collective, links between community, students, artists etc.. intergenerational participation engage others that are not here be a resource for neighbourhood festivals and community groups avoiding stagnation (getting fresh voices) do the bee dance, share the art hive model wider while focusing on sharing core value of strengthening community Value of art cultural attitudes need to change connecting with business community health and wellbeing needs to be supported vital to health of the community (getting people to understand this, Gov’t etc..) challenge: the understanding of the inherent value of the arts cannot quantify qualitative things Partners how do we build parnerships? how do we build and maintain connections? potential equal partnership with art hives and university community keep and build partners community partnerships Other Examples
“Spark Zone” a sandbox @ The Mount MSVU conference fund? $ TILLT Europe multi $ budget to put artists in institutions critical lasting resource grass roots initiatives from 60s and 70s still around today aligning social value to policy outcomes work towards better communication and connections amongst practitioners shift from discussion to action how the hive works, where it has worked, get it started collect data through universities, themes + topics discussed how to we find out what skills are out there in this room, all hives all potential hives skills inventory can lead to connections, inventory, identify gaps create and sustain awareness in community actually taking action, but how? pop up art hives to ease the public into the idea pop up with information, social media, word of mouth, connecting to art hives shake things up, advocacy for art hives? raise awareness interest, communitment, excitement, motivation, skills, knowledge, take advantage! explicit commitment to art hives in relation to social goals let’s not get stuck in discussion and dreams a champion to take charge, get that one person to back the project and make a list In addition to the notes resulting from the graphic facilitation, notes at each table were kept by conversation hosts. Here are these notes as well: PAGE 1 ART HIVE: MUSIC LIBERATORY Black folk artists Goal: Dramatically increase the number of female instrumentalists Founder: Tamar (background in antiviolence work, now uses arts as a tool for women’s equality and freedom) Women are repressed in music. You don’t hear about women’s lives, losing children, being raped, losing husbands, having children, taking care of others etc.. you are not hearing their music/perspective in revolutions we need more of the rhythms and lyrics of women percussion and voices, can use our bodies for percussion, don’t even need drums! (tho we like them, and we have them) babies hear heartbeat in the womb, mothers sing babies to sleep New Word: a “Hummler”, a woman who elevates the music that is happening just by being around Places:
Uniacke Square Fairview Mulgrave Park relationship with North Branch Library, for the intro discussion groups where we do poetry, drawing and establish a high level of agreement The Agreements (designed to protect the person with the least power in the room): Respect Honesty Keep covenants Address breaches Programs: 1All Female Steel steel pan drums 2Girls Dance Music Video 3WOMB BOOM (1x a month, with childcare) 4Women’s Discussion Group (68 week series in fall) goal: that all programs have child care will soon start: women vocala groups, to develop rhythm and timing Women who have always wanted to play are coming in Main Funders so far: Canada Council for the Arts has research on their site on the benefits of art hives (tip from Janice) Are 3 women interested? Start a program for it! Informal classroom hangout feel Vanesse Smith a producer from Toronto Joseph, a steel drum instructor Lisa Doblin, drummer Marlene Companion Approach: “Imagine we are starting music anew” Barriers faced: how oppressed women are it is getting worse hardly any infrastructure in NS for women’s movement and organizations (eg supporting women to attend legal aid and doctors etc..)
not as much advocacy infrastructure in NS as in BC for example where there are many vocal transition houses for women and unions and associations Wants to get charitable registration Ann suggested a connect with McInnes Cooper law firm for pro bono assistance Performances? interactive informal sessions games to get women to play play along to really loud music, so you are not selfconscious/can’t hear yourself Philosophy: Music is not an extra, music is something you do to live Artists as the moral compass of society SAY IT THRU THE DRUM Marlene of All Nations Drum group goal: An International Women’s Drum Festival Also at the table: Emma a student from Bridgewater who volunteers at the Art Happenning art hive, to do her hours for an “Options and Opportunities” course in highschool for gr 11 and gr 12, 300 hours, 100 each in three spaces. Emma does posters and signs at schools to help publicize the art hive and hangs out there during its opening hours PAGE 2 At the table: Susan Walsh prof at the Mount creative approach to research (visual elements in papers etc.) Guy Doucette arts rural/city, from ON, NS based now, arts/theatre background Amina works at Avalon Sexual Assault Centre doing an arts partnership with Wonder’neath 1 How are existing Art Hives contributing to development in Nova Scotia? creating safe spaces development of artists including youth artists collective and personal growth through the relationships and skills development mentorships (formal and informal) are happening, once a young person goes through art hives, they mentor others
Success Stories e.g. Jessie Jollymore @ Hope Blooms increased economic literacy in teenage youth who are doing arts based activities Friends of the Khyber Supportive place to discuss living wage for artists Rural NS, Art Hives are providing the 3rd spaces for community homelike feeling, while all the other buildings for that purpose are closing (churches, fire halls and community centres are all closing in rural NS, so Art Hives are ever more needed than before) 2 Challenges and Barriers for sustaining and growing Art Hives? stagnation is a potential barrier keeping the space fresh, new faces, diversity University is currently quite separated from community, forging stronger linkages in order to share resources and skills need more community organization involvement (where is NSCAD? where is Extended Studies?) $ + time Artists being able to make a living costs money to facilitate the Art Hive space and maintain it accessibility.. sign language, touch, wheel chairs the spaces we do get, sometimes have negative connotations (dangerous part of town etc..) finding a stable space that is affordable ideally HRM would manage these spaces finding that mix of freedom but security in the spaces and funding offered 3 Opportunities? Next Steps? e.g. symposium in the fall? Office of Innovation and Community Engagement @ St Mary’s Centre for Women in Business (Nora) creative ways of doing the business plan (e.g. use improv theatre to ‘talk out’ the various boxes of the plan.. have people embody the different categories and talk through the production line) making the resources more visible in the community (eg a centralized place, press, social media) create a symposium that integrates performances into the conference day so its really high energy and fresh (e.g. political drumming group, spoken word at the breaks and beginnings of sessions, music, interactive presentations, making art together that has a political message,
masks, computer stations for signing up on the spot to the Art Hives website, community building speed dating stations, etc…) SPARK ZONE on campus, a provincial community sandbox at The Mount (I think?) with the goal of creating innovative spaces mainly University students, but community is welcome as well will coordinate campus activities Ginger Grant Prof @ Sheraton storytelling Compile a list of accessible spaces Remember that the core is: “STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY” HEADLINES “Art Hives the new buzzword, this is your beeswax!” “Art Hives the community salve for Austerity” “Universities, Nonprofits and Government collaborate to build ‘Art Hives’” “Creating Community Buzz One Art Hive at a Time” “Art Hives Support Artistic Practice” “Honey not $$” PAGE 3 1 How are existing Art Hives contributing to development in Nova Scotia? opportunities for people to come together from many ages and backgrounds nonprescriptive of outcomes / comfortable it is change being made leadership opportunities for different communities intergenerational connections social, esp for people that are isolated positions artist as leader in a community helps fight the misconception of ‘artist as genius working on own individual’ luxury recycling (materials and objects and knowledge) ART HIVES SUPPORT EXPRESSION 2 Challenges and Barriers for sustaining and growing Art Hives? no money, especially for sustained funding for things like training/support/innovation on individual and group level/build on relationships/how can we connection with universities when they go more slowly and how can their work be more inclusive to community arts) how do we build partnerships
energy that goes into tracking funding down commitment of people what factors allow people to participate? how do they find each other? people who are interested in community arts how do we collectively organize to reach a shared goal how do people decide how to work together and what outcomes you want to achieve 3 How can we take action now? share the Art Hives concept more widely getting back to talking about art hives as places where communities, individuals connect and build/strengthen communities through art *this is the core value way to express ourselves as a community through art neighbourhood festivals how can art hives contribute? 100in1 Day share what we are doing with people outside of community arts as well Art Hives connecting with community groups Artbridges, Art Hive Network, how do we stay in touch? (not current network of art hives just in NS) HEADLINE BEE WARE ART HIVES BUZZING NEAR YOU PAGE 4 ACTION PLAN ART HIVES SYMPOSIUM 2 April 22 2015 CIVIC + PROV’L GOV’T LEVEL → Where’s the $? Communities, Culture, Heritage → not currently supporting art hives (?) → *not in community *not in schools *not at provincial level > Community Spaces physical spaces popup events where NS folks can be creative HOW DO THE ARTS CREATE CONVERSATIONS? social emotional Creative Economy → creative thinking + making needs to be nurtured raise caliber of art making + appreciation support → the right kind of support Creative Common
SYMPOSIUM AGENDA Explicit Commitment to Art Hives do we need a collective voice? NS Collective of Hives stay united in conversation what does it mean to be inclusive? ART + LEADERSHIP to be relevant Who gets to be creative? extend connection sharable skills within the hive sharing skills and learning from each other involving greater community funders → how does community become part of the art hive? → collaboratively flexibility language is key for connecting stakeholders, including funders (i.e. how we describe Art Hives make vary depending on who we are talking to?) Possibilities of SOCIAL ENTERPRISE Creative Common Health and Wellness Funding Page 5 Buzz Phrases: “Communities, Generations, Connecting through Art” “Artistic Abilities, Strengthening All Sectors” “Art Hives A Buzz with Diversity” START PAINTING WITH A WIDER BRUSH Art Hive Symposium Happening Soon Pollinating Positive Change ART HIVES POPPING UP EVERYWHERE BEE PART OF IT! THE BUZZ Nova Scotia Art Community Creates Buzz Around Art Hives NS Government Swarm to Participate + Fund THE ART HEART ROUND THE WORLD
From A to Bee: Art Hives Start to Finish PAINT | DRAW | CRAFT | MAKE | HIVE [NS FIRST JURISDICTION TO BE ENTIRELY ARTISTRUN] PAGE 6 Building Community through Food & Art sharing Having a Hub that reaches out into the community via outreach events parades festivals park visits Bringing the Hive out to show/share what happens inside to invite and break the psychology boundary Breaking down the lack of time/space to collaborate after a show/performance =Create Downtime → taking the time to slow down and stay around after a gig Art is fundamental and magical way to connect PARTNERSHIPS ARE KEY Education through Art PAGE 7 ART HIVE: “ART HAPPENING” Bridgewater, NS NS local ARTS Council Funding? (Youth in schools research) Feel valued contribute to the community Newcomers photography art therapy Community Bee Dances Govt, business & communities, Thousands across NS, join the Art Hives bee dance to use the creativity to build communities Thousands from Government, business & community come together to collaborate to build communities People are welcoming MSVU university community partnerships research food security youth newcomers the role of the arts rural communities (nonHalifax)