Wild and banal: the value of the arts as commons

• Published in: International journal of event and festival management 2015-06, Vol.6 (2), p.111-121
• Main Author: Johanson, Katya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Art galleries & museums; Artists; Cemeteries; Conferences/conventions management; Content analysis; Cultural policy; Culture; Events management; Parks & recreation areas; Performing arts; Polls & surveys; Public policy; Public spaces; Tourism & hospitality
• ISSN: 1758-2954; 1758-2962
• DOI: 10.1108/IJEFM-12-2014-0027

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the value of the arts play in public spaces in replicating a contemporary commons. Design/methodology/approach – The study is an exploratory investigation which uses a case study of cultural events in public parks – the Vancouver Parks Board’s fieldhouse residency program (2012-2015). The study uses content analysis of the social media sites created for these projects to identify how the sites and the cultural events were valued by stakeholders and participants. Findings – The paper finds that, in combination, the park events and the social media discussion of them function as a form of the commons, in which new urban communities are formed or defined around specific common social interests. Research limitations/implications – The paper finds that, in combination, the park events and the reflective engagement prompted by the social media discussion of them function as a form of the commons, in which new urban communities are formed or defined around specific common social interests. Practical implications – It is anticipated that cultural programs will increasingly interact with common public places. Social implications – The study supports the increased use of and recognition of public places as culturally significant. Originality/value – The study aims to encourage the expansion of arts and cultural policy and programs to incorporate common public places.