RESEARCHConnecting Identities is part of a larger, over-arching project called ‘Generations.’ The Generations project was initiated by the Cultural Development Network to explore the links between engagement in community based arts activities and active civic engagement. There is a growing literature around the correlation between involvement in creative or ‘artistic’ activity and improved health and well-being, but the links between creative communities and civic engagement are less well documented. 
The Generations project will contribute to research data on this topic through a significant research component. Demonstration of this link could have significant effects on the development of public policy and the targeting of resources to community-based arts projects. The research project is being led by Dr Martin Mulligan from RMIT's Globalism Institute, with researcher Pia Smith engaged in data collection with communities and artists. The first stages of this research began at the end of 2006. In preparation for the project, each of the five participating councils worked with the Cultural Development Network to identify issues of serious concern for their municipalities. Five community projects addressing these local issues got underway in 2006 in councils across Australia; Charters Towers Regional Council (Queensland); City of Liverpool (New South Wales); Rural City of Wangaratta (Victoria); City of Greater Geelong (Victoria); and Latrobe City (Victoria). The projects will run for three years between September 2006 and December 2009. |