By Stephan Manning and Yeşim Uygur, Illustration: mustafahacalaki/iStock, Stanford Social Innovation Review, August 3, 2023
Addressing entrenched social problems in local communities like inequality, violence, or environmental degradation is as much about changing local cultures and mindsets as it is about reworking the socioeconomic structures around them. Cultural norms and values, such as gender roles and attitudes toward nature, guide economic and social interactions in communities. Challenging or redirecting established values is therefore at the heart of structural change.
Some of the most powerful tools for challenging established norms and for raising awareness about social problems are cultural artifacts like art, music, and film. However, artists and artistic projects have the power to do much more. Indeed, they can play a vital role in community change. Given the right support and strategy, artist-led efforts can empower communities to craft desirable futures, make social issues visible beyond the community, and promote long-term investments in local transformations.
But where exactly does the power of art for social change lie, and how can artists, communities, and funders effectively promote art-based change projects? Here’s a look at three artist-led projects that have made a significant impact in local communities through a combination of visual art and documentary films, as well as five strategies for funders to best support these types of projects.
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