Our work demands dedication, commitment, sensitivity and skill from our artists. It is not enough to be a superb painter, playwright or pianist - in this work we need artists who can communicate effectively with a wide range of participants and enable them to discover their own creative abilities.
They need to be able to make their artform accessible, breaking down tasks into easily achievable steps while not compromising on artistic quality. They need to understand where the participants are coming from in order to inspire them to reach beyond their expectations. They need to know what to do if problems arise relating to issues the participants are dealing with in their lives.
At darts we occasionally offer traineeships to artists whom we feel have the potential to become effective community practitioners. Trainees will work alongside more experienced artists, gradually increasing their involvement in workshops and receiving feedback on their performance until they are ready to deliver sessions on their own.
Expanding Horizons is a handbook written by Janet Wood with input from many experienced artists. It explores what it involves to be a confident community artist and provides helpful examples and advice. Although primarily written for darts artists, reviewers from outside the company say it has a wider appeal.
I would like to congratulate you on your Expanding Horizons book. It provides invaluable information and encouragement for all community artists, new and experienced, and hope you manage to find the funds for wider publication. We at Faceless would like to be able to give copies to all our artists as we feel they would benefit from reading it.
Tony Wade, Faceless Street and Community Arts
Gives a real and practical insight into the many considerations of the community artist and some of the potential ways of working. It's a valuable asset, as it has as its focus an area that is ill-represented in current literature in my experience.
Sarah Osborne, Yew-Tree Theatre Company