BEGGING FOR CHANGE: URBAN POVERTY AND ART MUSEUM PROGRAMMING
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Authors
Leighton, Emily
Issue Date
2010
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
In this masters project I investigate how art museums can use programming to engage the urban poor. I aim to encourage art museums to become catalysts for change in their community by becoming relevant to the most needy. Art museums are uniquely situated to address the poor with programming in their own communities. What most art museums do not realize is that arts participation can offer the poor needed benefits and skills, in particular by providing positive outlets from the isolating effects of poverty.
The goals of this project are to gain an understanding of urban poverty in America and its effects on individuals. Furthermore, I demonstrate the benefits of an art practice for the urban poor through empirical and anecdotal evidence. Last, I establish a need for art museums to engage the poor as both an ethical mandate for museums, while becoming relevant to those in their communities. By the end of this thesis the reader will have tools, suggestions and the knowledge to create successful programs for the impoverished.