The article talks about what may stop people from participating in the Arts and cost was a contributing factor. I found this interesting:
'We surveyed 102 arts organisations during the course of our research. When asked to name the single greatest challenge to their participation-building efforts, these organisations consistently cited the difficulty of balancing competing demands against their available resources. When asked to name the three biggest challenges his organisation faced, one respondent said, 'First, dollars: second, dollars: and third, dollars.'
I am sure everyone in the Arts can relate to this quote. I do find it highly unfair that some people with the biggest talent and interest in the arts may be held back due to financial reasons.
They have also developed a 'Participation Model' which aims to show the different stages we go through when making the decision to participate in the arts.
The Background Stage - Looks at a persons background eg Education, income, age, gender, prior experience to the arts, an individuals personality etc. Where I live, there is a lack of Arts teachers and therefore it limits experiences to the arts.
Perpetual Stage - Participants must develop an inclination to start. They look at the benefits/ how much it will cost. It also looks at social norms. This reminds me of Billy Elliot. Billy almost stopped participating in ballet classes because his family did not encourage it. I think a lot of people may have never thought about taking part in dance classes because their family never encouraged it or knew enough about it.
Practical Stage - People are ready to make an informed decision on whether or not to take part in the arts. As I said before, cost often comes into play. Classes and shows can often be expensive and limits what you can take part in. I know that I would love to take part in classes a few times a week but sometimes cost can affect my overall decision.
Experience Stage - You can have good and bad experiences of the arts and this can really affect whether you continue to take part. Personally, injuring my back gave me a negative experience and has stopped me participating properly recently. As a teacher, I never want to give a child a bad experience of Dance or Gymnastics.
I would like to read more on this subject so if anyone reads up on anything please let me know
Thanks Sophie - interesting take on the idea of using theories to inform practice - just a these Web 2.0 theories guide our critiques of online practice - other ideas are used to interrogate and inform arts-based practice - so this website - http://www.rcip-chin.gc.ca/carrefour-du-savoir-knowledge-exchange/technologie_etude_demographiques-technology_demographic_research-eng.jsp - that linked to another site http://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/MR1323.html
ReplyDeleteand there is a free download of the source A New Framework for Building Participation in the Arts
by Kevin F. McCarthy, Kimberly J. Jinnett
Have you found what the authors McCarthy and Jinnett to be useful? I do think arts organisations like other sectors and businesses use concepts to help grown their clients - there is a business side to performance, entertainment, galleries that show fine art, design, animation - arts organisations also have particular attributes - have you been to the Arts Council website - do you think social media plays a part join convincing audiences to take part in the arts?
Hi Paula, I did find the article interesting especially the model, but of course everyone is individual and takes part in the Arts for different reasons so its hard to make everybody fit into the participation model. The first link you posted is interesting and has made me more aware of market research and its advantages. I totally agree there is a business to performing arts and I would like to look into this further as I would ultimately like to start up my own classes, which requires a knowledge of business.
ReplyDeleteHi Paula, I did find the article interesting especially the model, but of course everyone is individual and takes part in the Arts for different reasons so its hard to make everybody fit into the participation model. The first link you posted is interesting and has made me more aware of market research and its advantages. I totally agree there is a business to performing arts and I would like to look into this further as I would ultimately like to start up my own classes, which requires a knowledge of business.
ReplyDeleteHi Sophie, I found this blog very interesting - I know when I was starting up dance classes my mum tried to encourage me, but even then I knew that dance classes were expensive - then obviously when I found out I loved dancing I wanted to go more and more which was hard for my parents, but by that point I had already been allowed to have an initial experience with the arts so I didn't need my parents encouragement anymore. I also think its a bit of a circle between dance students and teachers, I always worry about how much I charge for my classes because I (like you said) remember times and even have them now when I can't afford the weekly trip to class. But at the same time I have to pay the studio rent or I can't provide my classes at all, and because I do drop in classes I never know how many or how few people I might get each week - for example my Monday class has noticed a decrease since it started getting darker! No one wants to come out on a Monday evening in the cold!
ReplyDelete