Life stories: developing intercultural strategies through arts education

Bianchi, J (2010) Life stories: developing intercultural strategies through arts education. In: International Conference on the Arts in Society, 22-25 July 2010, University of Sydney, Australia.

Abstract

The arts can provide a key focus for countering restrictive cultural expectations, challenging pre-conceptions and reductionist perspectives and generating wider understanding and a more informed response to diversity and development. The paper will advocate the role of reflective intercultural, interdisciplinary arts practice as instrumental in creatively addressing such core value within education. This reflexive process is central to the author’s research and practice as an artist, arts educational researcher and teacher trainer, facilitating arts educational projects to counter exclusion through creative socio-cultural engagement, with adults, children and young people across diverse socio-cultural and educational contexts. The paper will present case studies of the successful and innovative Life Stories Project, instigated by the author in collaboration with a range of interdisciplinary, cross-agency, intercultural partnerships, facilitating links between diverse ethnic and cultural communities in both UK and international contexts. Through an investigation of the ethos and outcomes of focal projects, such as arts projects linking communities in the UK and developing areas in India and Africa, the paper will explore the reciprocal benefits to international participants in breaking down barriers across both arts disciplines, and cultural preconceptions. Referencing theoretical paradigms informing empirical practice, the paper will posit models of intercultural interdisciplinary practice, relevant to a range of levels and socio-cultural settings, offering an inclusive approach to educational development agendas and outcomes. Theoretical perspectives and international initiatives within the arts and education will be explored in relation to Life Stories Project activities demonstrating the potential of arts practice to enrich cultural connections and facilitate shared understanding.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Subjects: N Fine Arts > NX Arts in general
Divisions: School of Education
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Date Deposited: 14 Jul 2014 11:52
Last Modified: 27 Oct 2022 17:48
URI / Page ID: https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/2373
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