WolfBrown, which is one of the best arts consulting outfits out there, approached me this week with a request for examples of “excellent, new, or unusual” arts participation programs offered by nonprofits that involve adults creating or performing. Thinking that this could be a useful exercise in crowdsourcing, I offered to post the request here so that Createquity readers could weigh in. If you think of any case studies that meet the criteria, please email the details to Jennifer Novak-Leonard at jennifer@wolfbrown.com and/or respond in the comments here.
Below is the text of the request:
I’m writing to you ask if you might be willing to recommend any excellent, new or unusual examples of “active arts participation” programs offered by nonprofit arts groups (any discipline).
WolfBrown has been commissioned by The James Irvine Foundation to prepare a white paper on active participation, planned for release later this summer. In this case, “active” means that the participant is involved to some extent in creative expression (i.e., creating or performing). We’ve been asked to focus on participatory arts experiences for adults, not so much on arts education programs (e.g., lessons and classes) or audience engagement activities such as lectures and workshops.
Our research has uncovered many artists and arts groups who’ve been active in this area for years, but we’re looking for new and interesting examples, particularly involving arts groups for whom “active participation” has not been a priority, historically. We’re also interested in identifying artists who are creating new work that engages audience members in some form of active expression.
Any suggestions, leads or links would be most appreciated.