Awaken your agency with art: arts and cultural programming need to have a place in recreation.We often see media and research attention given to specific segments of leisure programming. It is not unusual to find that outdoor pursuits and sports are more frequently reported upon and researched than art and cultural programs. However, one cannot assume that because arts and culture may be less visible, that people don't appreciate the benefits of these programs. State and City Arts Programming In addition to programs in recreation and leisure, arts managers working in a variety of for-profit and not-for-profit arts and cultural organizations, provide a wide array of arts and culture opportunities that offer benefits to individuals and societies. Participation in the arts occurs in a variety of contexts including museums, galleries, community arts centers, art fairs and festivals, and performance venues. There are an increased number of arts education programs designed for both children and adults offered by arts organizations. The arts and culture sector has become more visible in part because of administrative initiative to provide art and cultural experiences, and in part because arts managers have been responsive to the need for more options of things for people to do during their spare time. Successful arts participation-building efforts have resulted from restructuring by small non-profit and community-based arts organizations, and large non-profit and commercial arts institutions (McCarthy and Jinnett, 2001), and these efforts have contributed to the growth. As we know, arts and cultural programs also take place in recreation settings as part of the comprehensive recreation program offerings. The provision for arts and cultural experiences has been a long tradition in recreation and leisure settings. Fifty years ago, Meyer and Brightbill (1956) advocated that arts and crafts arts and crafts, term for that general field of applied design in which hand fabrication is dominant. The term was coined in England in the late 19th cent. as a label for the then-current movement directed toward the revivifying of the decorative arts. , dancing, dramatics dra·mat·ics n. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) 1. The art or practice of acting and stagecraft. 2. Dramatic or stagy behavior: Cut the dramatics and get to the point. , literary activities and music activities were standards for a comprehensive recreation program. Arts and cultural recreation opportunities continue to be both a part of public agencies' responsibilities to their citizens, and viable offerings in terms of self-support programs. The importance of arts and cultural programming in recreation and leisure agencies is illustrated with examples from Oregon and Philadelphia, Pa. Oregon Community recreation organizations will often partner with community-based arts organizations, thus expanding the arts and cultural experiences that can be offered to the public. Six years ago, a successful model of an arts program partnership was implemented in Eugene, Ore. The partnership involves the city of Eugene's Recreation Division at Amazon Community Center and the University of Oregon's Youth Enrichment enrichment Food industry The addition of vitamins or minerals to a food–eg, wheat, which may have been lost during processing. See White flour; Cf Whole grains. Program. By combining their particular resources and assets, program organizers are able to provide a full slate Any political party or faction that seeks to form a majority in a parliament or on a board of directors or other responsible body typically must run a full slate if only to demonstrate that they have the capacity to attract the talent to fill every position with some person, even if that of arts- and culture-related classes from pre-schoolers to adults throughout the academic year, and camps, workshops and classes that extend through the entire summer. Program supervisors A Program Supervisor is the chief administrator of a school program, such as the high school, elementary school, middle school or pre-school. A Program Supervisor is comparable to a Principal (school), with the responsibility of enrolling students, hiring new teachers, placing throughout the state of Oregon, who were also members of the Oregon Recreation and Park Association, participated in a study that identified the number and types of arts and cultural programs offered during the summer of 2003 (Carpenter, 2004). Most organizations reported providing arts experiences for youth and adults throughout the summer months. The visual arts visual arts npl → artes fpl plásticas visual arts npl → arts mpl plastiques visual arts npl → (i.e., arts and crafts) were most frequently offered, and were followed by performing arts programs (i.e., dance, movement, music and theater). Special events featured various arts camps and summer concert series, while non-traditional programs included literary and culinary cu·li·nar·y adj. Of or relating to a kitchen or to cookery. [Latin cul  n experiences, as well as cultural-based touring opportunities. Philadelphia The Philadelphia Department of Recreation has a long and well-developed arts and culture program that includes historic buildings (e.g., Atwater Kent Museum, Betsy Ross House The Betsy Ross House is generally recognized as the place where Betsy Ross lived when she may have made the first American Flag. Several of her surviving family members, including daughters, grandchildren and a niece said that this was the location of the legendary event. , Camp William Penn, Olde Fort Mifflin Originally called Fort Island Battery, and also known as Mud Island Fort, Fort Mifflin was commissioned in 1771 and sits on the Delaware River near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During the American Revolutionary War the fort was a centerpiece of the British conquest of Philadelphia. ), arts and cultural recreation programs for a variety of settings and demographic groups (e.g., after-school, camps, individuals with physical or mental disabilities, teen centers, senior citizens), specific performing arts programs (e.g., dance classes, dance festivals, music, neighborhood concerts, young performers theater camp) and the visual arts (e.g., arts and crafts, ceramics, painting pottery, art show, art camp, special events, etc). Though the recreation department offers art and culture programs that we might expect to see operating given adequate interests and resources, the department also offers a number of innovative experiences. For example, the Creative Resolution Theatre program uses interactive theater to help children and adults move from conflict to creative resolution in a fun, safe and supportive environment; the Mural mural Painting applied to and made integral with the surface of a wall or ceiling. Its roots can be found in the universal desire that led prehistoric peoples to create cave paintings—the desire to decorate their surroundings and express their ideas and beliefs. Arts Program involves city residents in the creative process and has yielded more than 2,300 indoor and outdoor murals throughout the city; and one of America's oldest folk art folk art, the art works of a culturally homogeneous people produced by artists without formal training. The forms of such works are generally developed into a tradition that is either cut off from or tenuously connected to the contemporary cultural mainstream. traditions, the Mummers Parade The Mummers Parade is held each New Year's Day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Local clubs (usually called "New Years Associations") compete in one of four categories (Comics, Fancies, String Bands, and Fancy Brigades). that takes place every year on New Year's Day New Year's Day, among ancient peoples the first day of the year frequently corresponded to the vernal or autumnal equinox, or to the summer or winter solstice. In the Middle Ages it was celebrated among Christians usually on Mar. 25. . Interestingly, the population served in the Philadelphia example (approximately 1.5 million) represents about half of the citizens in the entire state of Oregon (approximately 3 million). Together, both examples illustrate the importance of arts and cultural programming implemented through public park and recreation agencies. Exploring the Benefits According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. contemporary sources of information, the benefits of arts and cultural programs can be found to contribute to the economy, to the human experience and to social interests. Economic Benefits Economic impact studies show the importance of arts and cultural activities to communities throughout North America North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. . Information. generated by various studies shows that when community leaders invest in the arts, they also invest in the economic health of their local communities. According to the President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Americans for the Arts Americans for the Arts is a nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in the United States. They describe themselves as being dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the , Robert L. Lynch, the non-profit arts industry generates $24.4 billion in federal, state and local government revenues annually, but those same government entities, collectively, provide less than $3 billion in support for the arts each year. Private sector businesses and organizations also benefit from activity-related spending through attendees who spend money on eating, transportation services and overnight lodging. According to the National Governors Association, cultural activities attract tourists and spur the creation of ancillary facilities such as restaurants, hotels and the services needed to support them. Cultural facilities and events enhance property values, tax resources and overall profitability for communities. In doing so, the arts become a great contributor to urban and rural revitalization re·vi·tal·ize tr.v. re·vi·tal·ized, re·vi·tal·iz·ing, re·vi·tal·iz·es To impart new life or vigor to: plans to revitalize inner-city neighborhoods; tried to revitalize a flagging economy. (Americans for the Arts, 2002). The Americans for the Arts (2002) and Statistics Canada (2000) make it a practice to report findings associated with the economic impact of arts and culture participation. Including: * The total economic activity in the non-profit arts industry in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. was $134 billion, which included the total spending by organizations ($53.2 billion) and spending by arts audiences ($80.8 billion). * Two-thirds of American travelers included a cultural, arts, heritage or historic activity or event while on a trip of 50 miles or more, one-way. Cultural tourists spend more and stay longer than other types of U.S. tourists. * Non-local U.S. arts attendees (e.g., attending performances, festivals, etc.) spend almost twice as much as local attendees ($38.05 compared to $21.75). * In 2002, 39.4 percent of American adults attended at least one live arts Live Arts is a professional level community theatre in Charlottesville, Virginia. It produces and creates theatre that is modern, rigorous and risky. And Live Arts it is committed to being a product of its community as well as a process for creating community. event such as jazz, classical music, opera, musical, play, ballet or art museum. * There has been a 22 percent increase in the number of not-for-profit performing arts companies The award-winning Performing Arts Company is a small theatre group based in Hedge End for young people, and is shortly to be doing a performance of Aladdin at the Eastpoint Centre. (theater, music, dance, opera) across Canada Across Canada was an afternoon program that formerly aired on The Weather Network. The segment ran from early 1999 until mid 2002. The show ran from 3:00PM ET until 7:00 PM ET. through the last decade (N=625). Canada has more than 2,300 heritage institutions (e.g., museums, art galleries, archives, historic sites). * Tourists spent an estimated $760 million on cultural activities while visiting Canada during 1998. * Canadian festivals experienced a 12 percent decrease in government contributions yet generated $86.2 million in 1997-98. * Figures for the visual arts sector (e.g., painting, sculpting sculpting Cosmetic surgery The surgical reshaping of a tissue. See Deep tissue sculpting, Facial sculpting. , drawing, crafts, photography) show that 52,000 Canadians list their occupation as visual artist and another 89,000 as artistic designers and workers in related occupations. In the same year (1997-98), the government spent $57.6 million on the creation and production of works of visual arts and crafts, presumably pre·sum·a·ble adj. That can be presumed or taken for granted; reasonable as a supposition: presumable causes of the disaster. for those not employed in the visual arts sector. Human Benefits Art and cultural activities not only contribute to the economic health of communities, they also create leisure opportunities that enrich peoples' individual lives and relationships with others. Positive outcomes can be realized through both individual and group cultural activities. Happiness may be found in full engagement in the present through involvement in creative endeavors, or may occur in repose or peacefulness. To become happy, one needs to open oneself to the delights of pleasure and the many wonderful things to enjoy in the world, such as food, art, poetry, music, science and adventure (Estes & Henderson, 2003, pp 24). Use of one's creative abilities and potential is an influential motivator for those who participate in arts and culture experiences. When involved in expressive activity, we feel in touch with our real self (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990). Arts participation by adults is likely to influence participation in the arts by children as well. If parents enjoy playing music, for example, it is more likely that their children will find similar activities challenging (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990). We know that early exposure to recreation experiences will establish roots from which future recreation pursuits re-emerge during adulthood (Iso-Ahola, 1980, Kleiber, 1999). In his studies on creativity, Csikszentmihalyi (1996) noted that the role of the parent should be to provide opportunities, taking in the child's interests, and then supporting the child's involvement. Csikszentmihalyi acknowledged that motivational, personality and cognitive were important factors contributing to creativity. In addition, he urged parents and educators (to which we would add recreators) to encourage opportunities for both solitude and gregariousness gre·gar·i·ous adj. 1. Seeking and enjoying the company of others; sociable. See Synonyms at social. 2. Tending to move in or form a group with others of the same kind: gregarious bird species. , and flexibility about gender roles. Arts and culture experiences that enable individuals to be both inward and outgoing, such as song writing and group singing, and experiences that allow children of both genders to develop orchestral-conducting skills and handicraft handicraft: see arts and crafts. sewing sewing: see needlework. skills, can be seen as nurturing creativity. The arts add excitement and joy to our lives, and arts-related experiences are said to create an understanding of and appreciation for the arts that will lead us to participate more as adults (Orend, 1989). Through the years, studies have shown that older people who have leisure activities that they consistently participated in throughout their lives, will display positive attitudes toward their leisure through time and lead to a more balanced lifestyle (Kelly, 1997; Kleiber, 1999). Social Benefits The concept of social capital, advocated by Putnam's research (2003), is relevant to those recreational professionals who see that the provision of public-based recreation experiences contribute positively to community development. Art and cultural leisure experiences are particularly advantageous because they create environments conducive con·du·cive adj. Tending to cause or bring about; contributive: working conditions not conducive to productivity. See Synonyms at favorable. to the development of social capital. Three examples will illustrate this. Researchers in Philadelphia found that local cultural activity had a dramatic influence on neighborhoods (Stern & Seifert, 2002). Their findings showed that: * cultural activity drew new residents into communities, reducing poverty and increasing population; * cultural participation and diverse communities are mutually reinforcing and tend to promote gradual growth rather than rapid gentrification gentrification, the rehabilitation and settlement of decaying urban areas by middle- and high-income people. Beginning in the 1970s and 80s, higher-income professionals, drawn by low-cost housing and easier access to downtown business areas, renovated deteriorating ; * culture creates a positive social environment resulting in greater civic participation, lower truancy rates and lower delinquency delinquency Criminal behaviour carried out by a juvenile. Young males make up the bulk of the delinquent population (about 80% in the U.S.) in all countries in which the behaviour is reported. rates; and * cultural participation builds bridges across neighborhood, ethnic and class divides in ways that many other forms of civic engagement do not. The Oregon Alliance for Arts Education noted that the arts increase cooperation, tolerance and understanding of cultures past and present; improve self-esteem and increase self-awareness; enhance student creativity and increase creative thinking and problem-solving abilities; are key to connecting what students learn in one subject with what they discover in another; and prepare students for jobs, and enhance the quality of life in schools and in the community at large (Lane Arts Council An arts council is a government or private, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the arts mainly by funding local artists, awarding prizes, and organizing events at home and abroad. , 2004). The social benefits of community festivals have recently become an area of interest and lend additional credence to the importance of the individual, group and community in arts and culture (Delamere, Wankel, & Hinch, 2001). Motivated by their desire for professionals to be able to report social benefits along with economic benefits, the works of Delamere, et al., are important because they help arts and culture advocates bring intangibles associated with leisure experiences, into policy-driven discussions. All This and Healthy Too By examining successful arts and cultural programs, and identifying specific benefits associated with participation, it becomes clear that such programs contribute to the missions of most recreation agencies. When it comes to arts and cultural programs, neither geographic size, (e.g., the state of Oregon), or the population size, (e.g., the city of Philadelphia), matters; professional leadership and organizational initiative does. When arts opportunities are available to citizens, the community reaps the economic and social capital benefits. People participating in a study assessing the health effects of participating in music, art, dance and poetry programs are also healthier and happier (Trafford, 2004). Writing for The Washington Post, Trafford reported on a study sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Independent agency of the U.S. government that supports the creation, dissemination, and performance of the arts. It was created by the U.S. , the National Institute of Mental Health The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is part of the federal government of the United States and the largest research organization in the world specializing in mental illness. and other organizations. The study is taking place in three cities The Three Cities is a collective description of the three fortified cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea on the Island of Malta, which are enclosed by the massive line of fortification created by the Knights of St John, the Cottonera Lines. across the country, Washington, Brooklyn and San Francisco San Francisco (săn frănsĭs`kō), city (1990 pop. 723,959), coextensive with San Francisco co., W Calif., on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which are connected by the strait known as the Golden . Though the study is still in progress, preliminary findings show that those individuals who were participating in cultural programs, were healthier than they were when the study began and reported less depression, less loneliness and higher morale. Older adults in the study reported better overall health, fewer doctor visits, less use of medications, as well as fewer falls and hip damage. RESEARCH INTO ACTION: ENCOURAGING ARTS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMING Besides offering traditional arts and cultural programs, recreation professionals need to be imaginative in creating programs that have appeal to a wide array of individuals. Many public schools are finding it necessary to cut arts programs due to declining budgets. Recreation professionals may well find it essential to function in somewhat of an advocacy role to ensure public access to art and culture. Though many arts organizations are offering more experiences for people in their free time, thus addressing some of the needs and interest in arts and cultural experiences, public recreation still has a unique and historic responsibility to respond and initiate. Here are some ideas that local recreation professionals can implement: * Partner with local arts organizations to plan and implement arts and cultural programs. * Collaborate with local artists and hire them to facilitate arts programs in community centers or local studios and performing arts venues. * Provide practice spaces in public recreation facilities for performing arts groups during non-use hours (i.e., 11 p.m.-2:00 a.m.). * Create a list of economic, social and human benefits to be distributed to elected officials. * Work with local, regional or state agencies that have tourism grant opportunities to fund arts programs that would attract visitors. * Stay aware of the economic impact the arts have, and make it a practice to relay such information to policy makers. * Establish relationships with university researchers who have an interest in studying the social and psychological benefits of arts participation. * Play a leadership role by volunteering time on a local non-profit arts organization board. * Encourage program participants with skills in certain arts experiences to facilitate the development of these skills with beginners. * Include money to fund public art when designing new facilities, parks and open spaces. * NOTE: Arts and Culture, Gaylene Carpenter, [c] Human Kinetics kinetics: see dynamics. Kinetics (classical mechanics) That part of classical mechanics which deals with the relation between the motions of material bodies and the forces acting upon them. . Material adapted with permission from the tentative working title of Introduction to Recreation and Leisure, in press with Human Kinetics, all rights reserved. References Americans for the Arts. (2002). Arts & economic prosperity. Retrieved July 13, 2004, from www.AmericansForTheArts.org. Arnold, N. D. (1976). The interrelated in·ter·re·late tr. & intr.v. in·ter·re·lat·ed, in·ter·re·lat·ing, in·ter·re·lates To place in or come into mutual relationship. in arts in leisure. Saint Louis Saint Louis (l  `ĭs), city (1990 pop. 396,685), independent and in no county, E Mo., on the Mississippi River below the mouth of the Missouri; inc. as a city 1822. St. : C.V. Mosby Company. Carpenter, G. (2004). Assessing arts and cultural programming in Oregon's recreation Organizatons. CultureWork, 8(4), 1-6. Retrieved July 22, 2004, from http://aad.uoregon.edu/culturework/culturework. html Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience. NY: Harper & Row Publishers, Inc. Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1996). Creativity. NY: Harper-Collins Publishers. Delamere, T. A., Wankel, L. M., & Hinch, T. D. (2001). Development of a scale to measure resident attitudes toward the social impacts of community festivals, part I: Item generation and purification purification, in religion, the ceremonial removal of what the religion deems unclean. The usual agents of purification are water (as in baptism), bodily alteration (as in circumcision), and fire. of the measure. Event Management, 7, 11-24. Estes, C. & Henderson, K. (2003, February). Enjoyment and the good life. Parks & Recreation, 22-31. Iso-Ahola, S. E. (1980). The social psychology of leisure and recreation. Dubuque:IO Wm. C. Brown Company. Kelly, J. R. (1997). Activity and aging: Challenge in retirement. In J. T. Haworth, Work, leisure and well-being (pp. 165-179). London: Routledge. Kleiber, D. A. (1999). Leisure experience and human development. New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of : Basic Books. Lane Arts Council (2004). Meyer, H. D., & Brightbill, C. K. (1956). Recreation administration. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:Prentice-Hall, Inc. Putnam, R. D. & Feldstein, L. M. (2003). Better Together: Restoring the American Community. New York: Simon & Schuster Simon & Schuster U.S. publishing company. It was founded in 1924 by Richard L. Simon (1899–1960) and M. Lincoln Schuster (1897–1970), whose initial project, the original crossword-puzzle book, was a best-seller. . Statistics Canada. (2000). Canadian culture in perspective: A statistical overview. Retrieved July 12, 2004, from www.statcan.ca Stern, M. J. & Seifert, S. C. (2002). Culture builds community evaluation summary report. Retrieved July 23, 2004, from www.ssw.upenn.edu/SIAP/ Trafford, A. (2004). Arts improve health of elderly people. The Washington Post. Gaylene Carpenter is an associate professor and the director of the Arts & Administration Program at the University of Oregon The University of Oregon is a public university located in Eugene, Oregon. The university was founded in 1876, graduating its first class two years later. The University of Oregon is one of 60 members of the Association of American Universities. . |
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