In what ways can art contribute to sparking processes of social transformation in contexts of exclusion? On February 11, 2021, PhD Student Antonio Moya-Latorre was invited, along with planners-artists James Rojas and Sharon Lee De La Cruz, to a panel at Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, facilitated by second-year master’s student Malembe Dumont, to explore the role of art practice in community planning processes. Inspired by their own practical work, the guests showed the meaning of incorporating art as a rigorous tool for community engagement.
Antonio started with an improvisation on the piano to set the tone for the conversation. He then shared three practical experiences as a community planner in Spain, prior to moving to the United States in 2017, and as a musical collaborator with several communities across Latin America, stressing the importance of art practice as a universal means to bring neighbors together. Lastly, Antonio focused on his recent work in the community of Jardim Colombo (São Paulo, Brazil), where an art festival on a dumping site celebrated in 2018 sparked a series of cultural events that have resulted in a new young leadership in the community.
James centered the conversation around his initiative “Place It!,” with a particular emphasis on his practice with Latinx communities in California. Using all kinds of toys and recycled materials that he brings to his workshops – with grassroots organizations, local governments, and non-profit organizations – James showed how leveraging people’s memories through their hands can pave the ground for neighborhood-based processes of change. Unfortunately, the third panelist was not able to join due to last-minute health problems.
After engaging with the audience, Antonio performed a “musical resonance” to invite attendants to stay with the ideas exchanged during the session. The event closed with a call for action and an invitation for planners, practitioners, and activists to incorporate art practice in their community planning processes.
The session can be watched on this link.