Community ARTs as a Tool for Development and Engagement in Oyo Town: A Study of Alarinjo Theatre Groups
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59890/ijir.v4i2.146Keywords:
Community Arts, Development, Engagement, CultureAbstract
This research explored the impact and effectiveness of community arts as a tool for development and community engagement. Community art has evolved into a powerful means of social change, civic participation, and creative expression. By involving the community in the artistic process, residents can contribute to and take ownership of the artwork, fostering collaboration and creating lasting social impacts. This study addressed the lack of articulated theories of change underlying community arts initiatives, which hinders their planning and evaluation. The study's objectives include assessing the cultural, educational, and recreational aspects of community art, measuring its effectiveness and impact, and understanding the various roles it plays in development and community engagement. The study relied on interviews with key communitity artists as well as observation and life histories of travel drama group leaders in Oyo theatric space. The research focuses on the Oyo community in Oyo State, Nigeria. Specifically it examines the influence of two Alarinjo Theatre groups, Tiwa lasa cultural group and Madosa Entertainment, on the community and its people. The study posits that community art is rooted in traditional practices and should be recognised as a development tool for community engagement and empowerment. The research findings contribute to the knowledge base of community arts, inform effective engagement strategies, and promote the betterment of society. The significance of this study lies in its exploration of participatory community art and its implications for social, economic, and cultural development
References
Ary, et al. 2010. 2006. Introduction to Research in Education. Wadsworth: Cengage Learning
Braithwaite RL, Bianchi C, Taylor SE. Ethnographic approach to community organization and health empowerment. Health Education Quarterly 1994;21(3):407-416
Butteriss, C. (2016). What is community engagement, exactly? Retrieved January 12, 2016, from http://bangthetable.com/what-is-community-engagement/
Capire. (2015). The engagement triangle: Understanding the purpose of your engagement. Carlton: Capire Consulting Group.
Chavis DM, Wandersman A. Sense of community in the urban environment: a catalyst for participation and community development. American Journal of Community Psychology 1990;18(1):55-81
Chanan, G., & Miller, C. (2013). Rethinking community practice: Developing transformative neighbourhoods. Bristol: The Policy Press.
Chile, L.M. (2007). Community Arts as an Instrument for Community Development. Research and Development Programme Leader. Keynote Address to the Arts Conference. Institute of Public Policy. Auckland University of Technology.
Creswell, John W. 2003. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Method. United Kingdom: Sage Publications
De Bruyne, Paul and Gielen, Pascal (2011), Community Art. The Politics of Trespassing. Valiz: Amsterdam.heory.php?vref=1>
Department of Sustainability and Environment. (2005). Effective Engagement: building relationships with community and other stakeholders. Book 1: An introduction to engagement. East Melbourne: Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment. Available from
Elizabeth, Lynne and Suzanne Young. Works of Heart: Building Village Through the Arts. Oakland, CA: New Village Press, 2006.
Fawcett SB, Paine-Andrews A, Francisco VT, Schultz JA, Richter KP, Lewis RK, Williams EL, Harris KJ, Berkley JY, Fisher JL, Lopez CM. Using empowerment theory in collaborative partnership for community health and development. American Journal of Community Psychology 1995;23(5):677-697
Florin P, Wandersman A. An introduction to citizen participation, voluntary organizations, and community development: insights for empowerment through research. American Journal of Community Psychology 1990;18(1):41-55
Goldbard, Arlene. New Creative Community: The Art of Cultural Development. Oakland, CA: New Village Press, 2006.
Grodach, Carl. 2010. “Beyond Bilbao: Rethinking Flagship Cultural Development and Planning in Three California Cities.” Journal of Planning Education and Research 29 (3): 353-366, https://doi.org/10.1177/0739456X09354452.
Ife, J. W. (2013). Community development in an uncertain world: Vision, analysis and practice. Cambridge Cambridge University Press.
International Conference on Engaging Communities. (2005). Brisbane declaration on community engagement. Retrieved 5/2/2011, from https://www.lcsansw.org.au/documents/item/330
International Creators' Organization. Public Art: A World's Eye View. Kanagawa, Japan: ICO CO., LTD. Publishing House, 2007. Print.
Kester, Grant. Conversation Pieces: Community + Communication in Modern Art. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2004.
Knight, Keith and Mat Schwarzman. Beginner's Guide to Community-Based Arts. Oakland, CA: New Village Press, 2006.
Kretzmann JP, McKnight JL. (Center for Urban Affairs and Policy Research, Neighborhood Innovations Network, Northwestern University) Building communities from the inside out: a path toward finding and mobilizing a community’s assets. Chicago (IL): ACTA Publications; 1993
Minkler M, Pies C. Ethical Issues in community organization and community participation. In: Minkler M (editor). Community organizing and community building for health (1st ed., pp. 116-133). Piscataway (NJ): Rutgers University; 1997
Minkler M. Improving health through community organization. In: Glanz K, Lewis FM, Rimer BK, (editors). Health behavior and health education: theory, research and practice. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers; 1990
Moore, T., McDonald, M., McHugh-Dillon, H., & West, S. (2016). Community engagement: A key strategy for improving outcomes for australian families (child family community australia paper no. 39).
Pete Moser and George McKay, eds. (2005) Community Music: A Handbook. Russell House Publishing.
"Principles of Community Engagement: First Edition." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC/ATSDR Committee on Community Engagement, 1997.
"Principles of Community Engagement: Second Edition." Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), 2011.
Rich RC, Edlestein M, Hallman WK, Wandersman AH. Citizen participation and empowerment: the case of local environmental hazards. American Journal of Community Psychology 1995;23(5):657-676
Mattessich PW, Monsey BR. Collaboration: what makes it work; a review of research literature on factors influencing successful collaboration. St. Paul (MN): Amherst H. Wilder Foundation; 1992
"Richard Schechner's Performance Theory." UKEssays. ukessays.com, November 2018. Web. 20 January 2023.
Saleebey, D. (Ed.). (2009). The strengths perspective in social work practice (5th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Song, H. (2016). Theatrical performance in the tourism industry: An importance–satisfaction analysis. Journal of Vacation Marketing.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Adeyinka Wulemat Olarinmoye, Adedamola Aderonke Oni
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
