Cultivating Creativity: Building Inclusive Community Connections

Abstract

Learning to be creative in practice is an imperative if we are to truly honor the ideology of self determination and counter ableism. Creating inclusion means that society must meet the diversity of individuals and communities through creative engagement and opportunities for social connections. When we engage in creative opportunities with each other, we actively live inclusion and flatten power structures often experienced in society. Moving beyond words, we find ways through mark making, exploring materials and making art together to create connection, belonging and understanding. Creative methods of expression offer the opportunity to listen differently and hear the authentic person thereby countering societal assumptions around disability. This poster shares how a group of post secondary students, faculty, and community members created an art drop in space that allowed for everyone to participate, make personal and collective choices, explore thoughts and feelings, and create meaningful community connections through art making.

Presenters

Asha Rao
Faculty, Community Education and Wellness Department, Camosun College, British Columbia, Canada

Details

Presentation Type

Poster Session

Theme

The Arts in Social, Political, and Community Life

KEYWORDS

Disabilities, Inclusion, Arts, Creativity, Participation, Community, Citizenship, Self Determination