Living as Form

The top 3 community engagement projects I like are:

1. Tim Rollins and Kids of Survival, 1981 -

      Tim Rollins taught reading and writing through art to children in the South Bronx. He combined learning fundamental books with group art projects connected to the children's experiences. The kids could express themselves, learn to work together, gain a sense of community, and increase their knowledge. I like that Rollins made art and literature relevant to their lives.

2. Project Row Houses, 1990s -

      Rick Lowe transformed 60 year old, run down houses in a not so great neighborhood in Houston into spaces for artists to work, present their art, and educate the community. The non-profit formed out of this now does everything from helping young mothers to providing a play area for children. He generated a positive, creative space for the community. I don't know how much this gentrified the area, but having a safe place that teaches and values the community has to be better than "drugs and prositution" (projectrowhouses.org).

3. Guerilla Gardening, 1973 -

      Groups or individuals find unnoticed places or unused private or government land and plant flowers and vegetables, reclaiming the space. This is so simple, but shows how people can make small differences that can brighten up other people's lives.