Arts-based Engagement

Arts-based engagement refers to a cluster of techniques using drama, music, dance and performance, creative writing, poetry and storytelling, music and the visual arts (drawing, painting, collage, photography, video and 3 dimensional arts), as a vehicle for engaging people about an issue.

Advantages

Using creative processes to engage about issues can lead to more creative solutions.
Arts-based engagement can succeed in reaching traditionally harder to reach groups, including those who have limited language skills
The process and products are often high profile and media friendly.
The process itself can galvanise communities and get people from different backgrounds and ages working together towards common purpose.
The process can also deliver individual benefits such as skills development, confidence-building, fun, personal expression and widening horizons.

Disadvantages

Some groups might not find the use of some or creative media techniques acceptable for example Orthodox Jews and some Muslim groups.
It can be difficult to demonstrate the impact and value for money the 'soft' outcomes generated by this kind of activity.
Quite often arts-based activities are part of a short term funded activities - sustainability (including housing and maintaining any art work that is a legacy) might be an issue.

When to use

Arts based engagement techniques are useful when you have mixed groups of people that need to work together - an arty activity can give a common focus. Activities are most effective where they are seen to be "owned" by the local community and this can have an important role in developing of community capacity.