Ortiz 1

Isabella Ortiz
Mrs. Fogelson
Junior English DE
April 25, 2016
The Introduction of Art in Communities
The United States can be thought of as a quilt, composed of unique patches that come
together to make a cohesive and beautiful structure. Each patch represents a different culture and
ethnicity that has planted roots in this country. The communities that have formed as a result are
as diverse as their inhabitants; this is what characterizes America. However, many communities
are not as inclusive to outsiders and have begun to behave similar to high school cliques; they
have become exclusive and occasionally spiteful. There are many possible solutions to this
problem. However, art has been seen as a unifying force among different types of groups. Art is
used as a vehicle to open up dialogue about social and civil issues plaguing America that
consequently benefit communities. The introduction of art in communities allows several
different voices and opinions to be heard, consequently leading to a more diverse and unified
community.
In order for a community to be successful, certain factors must fall into place and operate
accordingly. In general, successful communities revolve around effective communication,
development of social capital, community engagement, and collaboration-across and within
communities (Making Communities More Viable). However, many communities in America

Ortiz 2
lack one or more of these factors, especially the community engagement aspect. This leads to
divided communities; one very good example is the segregation that gated communities are
perpetrating among the middle class and how walls, street patterns, and barricades [separate]
people from one another [and
[ reduce the potential for people to
understand one another and commit
Process of Community Engagement

themselves to any common or

collective purpose (Blakely and Snyder). While there are many traditional ways to handle this
issue, these tools do not elicit ample participation and rarely explore the values and needs of
citizens thoroughly (How Arts and Cultural Strategies Enhance Community Engagement and
Participation). Creative and new ways to evoke interactions within community members are
being used. Because of its complexity and diverse nature, different forms of art are now being
utilized for this purpose. Generally, innovative visual-art techniques, storytelling, socialnetworking technology, exhibits, music, performance, festivals, and community gatherings are
among many of the art forms being used to fortify already-weak communities (How Arts and
Cultural Strategies Enhance Community Engagement and Participation) Therefore,
implementing more art programs into a community would likely result in tightly knit
communities that use art as a form of communication.
Communities thrive on communication and unity; art is a valuable tool that accomplishes
these things. Although it is difficult to pinpoint the exact effects of art, one of its most pivotal
qualities is its ability to open up dialogue and offer several viewpoints on topics. Dialogue is an
important part of not only communities but of society as a whole and it is important to create a
safe place where these dialogues can be had. In order to do so, many cultural organizations have

Ortiz 3
experimented with a variety of programs and discussion formats, ranging from social gatherings
with a food focus to collaborative youth projects in the community (W E B Du Bois). There are
several ways this can happen, but the result remains the same; by pushing boundaries and
opening dialogues, artists are able to teach cultural institutions about the importance of
community engagement (W E B Du Bois).
To put it bluntly, art is a useful tool that is used to unify groups that seemingly have
nothing in common. Art is a universal language that unites people and introduces them to things
that everyone can make connections with. Communities with inhabitants that have formed
connections with each other are arguably more unified because of this. Subsequently, unified
communities operate smoothly and efficiently to the benefit of the citizens. Highly functioning
communities are beneficial for many reasons. It plays a vital role for individuals who see
communities as something that [offers] camaraderie and [acts] as a support system (The
Importance of Community). On the other hand, a lack of community may incite feelings of
loneliness and depression and may also lead to the breakdown that can occur in communities
due to a detachment from othersincreased violence, substance abuse, mental illness and so
forth (The Importance of Community). As evidenced, stable communities are important to the
health and well-being of the individuals. On a grander scale, communities are small parts of
American society. If these smaller parts are highly functioning and stable, then America as a
whole will prosper.
America is a country that has faced much change in its relatively short life. The constant
evolutions in American culture, due in part to the introduction of different racial backgrounds,
has resulted in a variety of different communities merging together. While diversity is a very

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important factor for success, the organization and upkeep of these hybrid communities is
necessary to ensure said success. Many traditional forms of uniting communities exist, however
one of the most effective ways is through the versatility that comes with art. Art is a universal
concept that transcends languages and culture. With the various useful characteristics of art, it
has the power of uniting cultures and increasing community engagement.

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Works Cited
How arts and cultural strategies enhance community engagement and participation. 2016. Web.
25 Apr. 2016.
Making communities more viable: Four essential factors for successful community leadership.
1077. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.
The Importance of Community. APS Healthcare. n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.
Blakely, Edward J, and Mary Gail Snyder. Divided we fall: Gated and walled communities in
the United States. 1997. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.

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W E B Du Bois. The Artistic Imagination as a Force in Civic Dialogue Animating Democracy
n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.