The inquiry confirmed that Californians throughout the state are telling local stories in public, actively using the arts and humanities to strengthen their communities. The power of narrative art to promote communication and human connection, to create associational networks, and to address local issues is being demonstrated daily. The ensemble also collaborates nationally with other artists and communities eager to tell their stories in their own voice. A great deal can be learned from this experimental practice.
Many further questions are worthy of pursuit.
For artists and humanists and their audiences, the quality of content and performance is paramount. For organizers, the bottom line is leadership development and a change in power dynamics. For residents, the goal is to solve problems and improve quality of life. Guided by these questions, the research team sketched the design of a program that would explore and promote the use of narrative art to strengthen California communities.