Arts for Social Change Learning Journey

The organisers believed that by sharing knowledge about personal experiences and their practical skills in arts for social change capacities, participants would gain a greater understanding of the diverse methodologies, tools and structures required to establish and coordinate future art for development endeavours. Participants shared their knowledge through group discussions and reflections, presentations of their work, and interactive workshop sessions facilitated by the Pioneers of Change. This sharing was consolidated by a documentation process, which emphasised the diverse methodologies and tools involved in arts for social change projects through a global lens.

The learning journey also sought to build awareness amongst participants about the various activities involving arts for social change on an international scale. By inviting participants from 12 different countries, the organisers believed the learning journey would provide a wide range of perspectives on the role of arts in creating social change, as well as provide an opportunity for participants to network with international practitioners for future developmental initiatives.

Organisers employed a hands-on approach to help cement the theoretical discussions about methodologies used in arts for social change endeavours. This hands-on strategy involved allowing the participants to visit a number of development-through-creativity projects in Gauteng province, including the Creative Inner-City Initiative (CICI), Soweto Mountain of Hope (SoMoHo), and the Soweto Kliptown Youth (SKY). Participants witnessed how these projects were organised, how resources were managed, how projects sought to affect a particular issue involving a particular demographic, and in what ways arts were used to empowering individuals, generating income and building community awareness. Organisers arranged for participants to visit local projects, such as Arrep Theatre for Life, 20 000 Drums, and the Zanendebe Storytellers so as to communicate to participants the tools and practical skills involved in developing workshops using arts for social change.

The learning journey culminated in a daylong workshop series for artists and development practitioners in Johannesburg at the Community and Individual Development Association (CIDA) City Campus. Workshops were developed by learning journey participants and facilitators from local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in arts for social change capacities, such as Sibikwa, Lapeng and Creative Inner City Initiative. This workshop series sought to involve the public, particularly youth, in the process of developing methodologies and sharing knowledge about arts for social change, as well as to build awareness about the role of arts for social change activities in community development.

Youth, Rights.