Open access

Using Art to Tell Stories and Build Safe Spaces: Transforming Academic Research Into Action

Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
15 October 2015

Abstract

This paper explores how art can be used to tell stories and actively build safe spaces, and grew out of reflections from a capacity-building and knowledge translation/mobilization project involving 7 young people living on the streets. The paper considers how research can contribute to an examination of anti-oppressive practice and methodology, and an application of it in the field through an arts-based agenda. Conceptually, the paper takes up the postmodern turn in methodological considerations by exploring how the “spectacle” of a research agenda can come to be undone by a more participatory research process. This paper speaks to the processes involved in creating an arts-based environment and, ultimately, the building of a community space for sharing, for reflection, and for mobilization—storytelling not only as a form of art, but as a critical methodology.

Résumé

Cet article examine des moyens d'utiliser l'art pour raconter des histoires et pour activement construire des espaces sécuritaires. Il est le produit des réflexions émergeant d'un projet de renforcement des capacités et de transfert et mobilisation des connaissances impliquant 7 jeunes vivant dans la rue. L'article examine comment la recherche peut contribuer à l'examen—et à l'implantation dans le milieu à travers un programme de nature artistique—d'une pratique et d'une méthodologie axées sur l'anti-oppression. Au niveau conceptuel, l'article prend le virage postmoderne par rapport aux considérations méthodologiques en explorant comment le « spectacle » d'un programme de recherche peut venir à être défait par un processus de recherche plus participative. L'article s'adresse aux processus impliqués dans la création d'un environnement de nature artistique et, finalement, la construction d'un espace communautaire de partage, de réflexion et de mobilisation—raconter des histoires non seulement comme une forme d'expression artistique mais également comme une méthodologie critique.

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References

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 34Number 3November 2015
Pages: 67 - 85

History

Version of record online: 15 October 2015

Key Words

  1. art
  2. anti-oppressive practice
  3. methodology
  4. participatory
  5. storytelling

Mots-clés

  1. art
  2. pratique axée sur l'anti-oppression
  3. méthodologie
  4. participatif
  5. raconter des histoires

Authors

Affiliations

Jeff Karabanow [email protected]
Ted Naylor

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