Ditch consultation for collaboration

Whitewashed: why does Australian TV have such a problem with race?

Discussion of representation in Australian TV, from the awful stereotypes of the 90s, like Neighbours' first non-white family, the Lims, being accused of eating a dog, to shows that got it right, such as Gary Foley on A Country Practice.

'Crucially, Foley says, he was allowed to write his character himself. “[Creator] Jim Davern rung me up and asked me if I was interested,” Foley told Guardian Australia. “I said I was only interested if I could write my own character and my own dialogue.”'

Partner Power

This 'Technique for Building More Authentic Community Partnerships Right from the Start' offers a model of consultation and collaboration used by the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History in the US to build an exhibition in collaboration with the community. Includes a video on conducting a meeting and worksheet with sample questions, using active listening and open-ended questions.

“It felt more equal...rather than appearing as though we were just trying to tick a box on community engagement.”

Gauging Readiness for Partnership

Designed for local US municipalities working with artists in general, this one-page checklist offers a good self-assessment on issues such as compromise, disruption to usual practices and equitable compensation.

"Use these questions to help gauge if you and your potential partner are ready to work together. Ask these early on in the process."

Community-Engaged Practice with Jade Lillie and Lia Pa'apa'a

Discussion of the book 'The Relationship is the Practice' edited by Jade Lillie and Lia Pa'apa'a which explores community engagement, collaboration, intersectionality, cultural safety, racial literacy, access and inclusion. Also links to the book.

Engaged Communities

Infographic with top tips on engaging respectfully with communities, including outlining different types of community engagement (such as the difference between collaborations, co-creations and consultations) and tips on managing power, responsibility and the project's legacy.

Arts & Equity Toolkit

Case studies and resources for building equitable organisations, strengthening boards and advisory groups and creating partnerships and collaborations, including a sample partnership agreement. Also includes advice on evaluations and the pros and cons of different methods of obtaining feedback.

Co-creating an accessible arena for visually impaired creatives

Founded by artist Alecia Neo in 2014, Unseen Art Initiatives is a platform which organises socially engaged, interdisciplinary and experiential projects that focus on the production and curation of inclusive art projects.

“It is important for industry professionals to commit and support access work on a long-term basis because it builds trust and serves as advocacy for disability-led works.”

The art-ivism of Malaysia’s Pangrok Sulap

Pangrok Sulap is an art collective which engages with a diverse range of performers, civil society organisations (CSOs) and the public in their art-ivism. This group is famously known for creating woodcut prints to tell the unknown stories of Sabah’s rural community, helping to preserve rural culture and traditions as well as amplifying calls for environmental protection, democracy and human rights.

Exploring a nation’s history through a dynamic and insightful platform

In Sri Lanka, the ‘It’s About Time’ travelling history museum reaches out to local communities by engaging with them through a range of interactive exhibitions and educational activities and events.

"The ‘It’s About Time’ travelling history museum was designed as a platform for a collection of exhibits to explore concepts of history, narrative and its relationship to the present."

What is community engaged practice?

In this article on ArtsHub, Jade Lillie provides an overview of what community engaged practice is, and how to effectively do it.

"Community engaged practice is an effective way to create great creative and cultural outcomes with artists, practitioners and communities."