Week Six Reflection: Lost in the Whirlwind of Life

This week came and went before I could blink an eye. Looking back on the process as I am now, I realize that I was all over the board with regard to what research method to employ for my project in Apalachicola. My research Proposal stated many different methods that were not supported by what I was writing about. My intentions and the direction I was going was not clear. For example these are my words, "The use of Ethnographic research is an appropriate match for my study because I am focusing on a community with a distinctly unique culture... I am considering using Descriptive and narrative research approaches. I feel this works with my way of thinking and would give credence to my voice while supporting the Philosophical inquiry". I even mention the mixed-method approach.
As the result of the rapid fire nature of this class I did not have a genuine understanding of the various approaches that we are learning. This is evident in the research proposal draft.
After a good conversation with Dr. Gates I was able to see the issue clearly and now am reading about Ethnographic case studies.

http://www.globalimpactstudy.org/2008/07/the-ethnographic-case-study-approach/

http://www.amazon.com/Art-Case-Study-Research/dp/080395767X

I like to refer back to this article :

Smith Koroscik, J., & Kowalchuk, E. (1997). Reading and interpreting research journal articles. In S. Pierre & E. Zimmerman (Eds.), Research methods and methodologies (pp. 75-102). Retrieved from https://ares-uflib-ufl-edu.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/ares.dll?SessionID=D094742171V&Action=10&Form=50&Value=66690

Week 5: Continuing the Journey Through the Sea of Information

This week I found a number of studies on community- based art projects many of which came from England and most of which addressed projects in Urban or inner city settings. Interestingly, articles on Urban Regeneration and the arts are plentiful. While much has been written on the subject of inner city community- arts projects and not so much on the rural , I am inspired by projects such as Olivia Gude's Spiral Workshop(2009) and Mel Alexenberg and Miriam Benjamin's approach to participatory art in their "Legacy Thrones", presented in the paper: Creating Public Art Through Intergenerational Collaboration (Alexenberg& Benjamin, 2004) both of which are in urban settings. Another article/study that I discovered, by Karen Hutzel,
Hutzel, K. (2007). Reconstructing a community, reclaiming a playground: A participatory action research study. Studies in Art education, 48(3), 299-315.
describes the transformative effect of the arts and arts education on forgotten inner-city neighborhoods. Hutzel proposes that a community-based art curriculum should be “intended to engage the community in an asset-based approach to art creation and social change “(Hutzel, 2007)“ I mention these three because they are concrete examples of projects that work . Many of the issues that face inner city communities occur in rural communities. The rural community off the beaten track are often overlooked because they are not as easily seen.

Patty's Research Reflection for Week 4 - Methods

The prompt suggests that it is important to thoroughly explore possible research methods for your topic. I must admit that I have not thoroughly explored methods as the number of assignments in relation to the time available has not permitted exploration of this extent. That being said I do have some ideas to move the process along. I have narrowed my research question to: What images influence an AP studio art student to formulate a concentration idea for their portfolio submission. Believing that their portfolios are a culmination of ideas that represent them, hence their identity, I hope to learn how what directs these perceptions of self. To gather this information I believe a that a narrative approach situated within the qualitative research method is best suited to my research project. I will submit a questionnaire of ideas I'd like to explore with AP studio art students at a local high school to the teacher as my pilot study for this research. Ultimately I'd like to be able to spend time with these students to understand how they formulate their ideas and how those ideas are related to reflections of their identity.

Eglinton, K. A. (2008). Using participatory visual ethnography to explore young people’s use of visual material culture in place and space. In R. Hickman (Ed.). Research in art and design education (51-66). Chicago, IL: Intellect Books. Retrieved from http://issuu.com/eliffa/docs/research_art_and_design_education

Moen, T. (2006). Reflections on the narrative research approach. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 5(4), 1 -11.

Zeni, J. (2001). A guide to ethical decision making for insider research (epilogue). In J. Zeni (Ed.), Ethical Issues in Practitioner Research (pp. 153-165). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

Visioning the Question

Thinking about the question...

Pilot Study Contemplation

My Pilot Study will address an issue/isues in developing a community arts center. My tentative title:
From Vision to Reality: The Community Arts Center
Finding the Unifier in the Development of a community Center

Question:
What unifying issue proved to be the most challenging in the development of the Doris Barton Community Cultural Center?

Understanding from an administrative view the process involved and obstacles encountered in the development of a community arts center represents on a small scale issues that face arts-based community projects. Where does vision and reality meet?


The Doris Barton Community Cultural Center will be a unifying force for the arts by providing a place where artists and arts organizations can meet to Network, learn, and present their work; where inspiration, collaboration and education will help develop future artists as well as future audiences.

This statement is based on excerpts from the vision statement that I co-created created for a community arts center. At this time I am gathering information and await confirmation on interviews.

I appreciate your questions and critical commentary!

Research Reflection: Week 4

This week, after a great conversation with Leslie, I was able to see my questions more clearly and with a little advice and tweaking of words I have narrowed it down to one question from I believe, six original questions!

My question is: How have arts-based community projects influenced the health and well being of struggling communities?

I will focus on Apalachicola, Florida which has one of the last remaining communities of people who harvest oysters using wooden tongs. The community as a whole is dependent on what they harvest from the sea. There is a concerted effort to preserve the old Florida culture there and one component is infusing the community with community- based art programs.
Approaching this as an art intervention speaks to the immediacy of the situation and the urgent need for bringing the arts back to struggling communities while showing how arts-based community projects work. My research will provide a foundation for art educators to learn from and hopefully custom fit for their own needs.

I will utilize a multi-method or triangulated research method to conduct my research. This would include Ethnographic research, Experimental research and Philosophical inquiry.

I welcome your comments on this question! What do you think?

Define Qualitative Research

Since English is not my first language, I often have to research extra for vocabulary that I don't use or hear often. When I saw the word "Qualitative" I thought of "quality", but as I was reading the texts, I figured out it was a littl more then just that simple meaning.
I came across this on wikipedia (I know, it's not a reliable source, but still helpful) and really helped me put understand, since it broke it down for me in an easy way.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qualitative_research

I hope this can help someone else as well.

Reflection for Week Three

click on map for larger view


This week finds me narrowing my field of interest. I have chosen to research and investigate:

Transforming Society Through the Arts.

Research questions:

• How do the arts aid in the recovery of struggling communities?
• How do the arts affect the health and well being of a community?
• How do the arts help in bringing societies(communities?) back from the depths of poverty?
• How can peace, unity, and harmony be restored through arts-based community projects?
• How can arts-based community projects remain sustainable in rural and impoverished communities?
• How can the Arts rebuild community?

I appreciate your input on these questions that I am considering! Thanks!!

Resources :

Cleveland, W. (2008). Art and Upheaval. Oakland: New Village Press.

(2008). T. Eca & R. Mason (Eds.), International dialogues about visual culture, education and art (pp. 9-275). Bristol

(2006). L. Elizabeth & S. Young (Eds.),Works of Heart: building village through the arts (pp. 8-139). Oakland: New Village Press.

Kay, A. (2000). Art and Community Development: the role the arts have in regenerating community. Community Development Journal, 35(4), 414-424. doi: 10.1093/cdj/35.4.414

Newman, T., Curtis, K., & Stephens, J. (2003). Do community-based arts projects result in social gains? A review of literature. Community Development Journal, 38(4), 310-322. doi: 10.1093/cdj/bsg005

Research Map: Connecting Ideas

This map represents the beginning of my research and the synthesis of my research interests.
Click on the image for a larger view.

Two Areas of Interest: First Impressions: Cultivating Creativity Through Classroom Environment and Transforming Society Through the Arts

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" Objects that meet the senses everyday for years must necessarily mould the mind... as well as cultivate the imagination and the heart." ( Peabody, 1836) These words spoken by educational reformer Elizabeth Palmer Peabody(1804-1894) reflect a strong connection to Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852) and the emphasis placed on environment and early learning. My research questions are based on the concept of unity and harmony in the classroom and in educational practice through comparative research of the Froebelian, Waldorf and Reggio Emilia approaches to early childhood art education and environment. For example, The Reggio Emilia classroom changes and grows, like a living space, a living organism that responds to and maintains harmony with the individuals that occupy it. Therefore, the objects that inhabit the classroom should resonate with life, and evoke multiple responses from each individual.

Peabody, E.P. (1836). Record of a school:exemplifying the general principals of spiritual culture. boston: russell, shattuck and company. retrieved from http://goo.gl/FzerY

Cadwell, L. (2003). Bringing learning to life. new york: teachers college press.

My second area of research interest is that of the impact of the arts in the recovery of communities. My professional work centers on this concept, through the development of a cooperative art projects entitled, The Peace and Unity Project and it's partner, How Will You Help Change the World? Both of which ask the essential questions, what is peace and what does peace and unity mean to you? As well as How will you change the world? These are projects with Survivors of the genocide in Rwanda. In addition, as a means to help the children's families, a women's art co-operative, Komera, was formed. These projects show the direct impact art has on bringing back civilization from the depths of war, poverty and tragedy. Such projects are applicable across the globe as well as in our own communities.

Jokela, T., & Huhmarniemi, M. (2008). environmental art and community art learning in northern places.

In T. eca & R. mason (Eds.), International dialogues about visual culture, education and art (pp. 197-210). Bristol,United Kingdom: intellect books.

www.barefootartists.org/barefootartists_awakeningcreativity.html