Bringing Community Art Into Civic Life
Introduction
Author: Emily Diaz
Department: UIC Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement (IPCE)
Advisor: Dr. Joseph K. Hoereth, IPCE
Abstract: The arts have a significant impact on advancing social justice and civic life in communities. In the city of Chicago, specifically the 33rd Ward, art organizations use the arts to address community needs. These organizations should be highlighted so other wards understand that there are different ways to advance social justice and civic engagement in their neighborhoods. Many community art spaces provide Latino communities with an outlet to uplift their voices and build social connections. The scope of this research is to explore how art builds community health among Latinos/e and other marginalized communities and why it's essential for the city of Chicago to implement more initiatives that support art creation. The methods utilized for this research will be a dissection of news coverage and scholarly articles, as well as articles focusing on art initiatives in the 26th Ward. Studies have shown that implementing art programs in schools provides the youth with an outlet to better understand social issues and themselves. This study's implications are that the arts offer benefits for Latino/e identity, social issues, and trauma; however, few policymakers prioritize the arts' value for civic life. Therefore, community-based art programs must exist for art production to continue on a broader scale. The current federal administration's defunding of the arts and education puts art-based healing for vulnerable communities at risk. Recommendations for the current policy call for cities to fund the arts, missions, programs, and curriculum to be implemented at the grammar school and high school levels, by introducing students to social justice initiatives at a young age.
Keywords: Community Art Spaces, Latinos, Identity, Literature Review, Social Justice, Civic Life