The Artist-Developer: A case study of impact through art-centered community development in neighborhoods of color.
Item
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Title
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The Artist-Developer: A case study of impact through art-centered community development in neighborhoods of color.
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Description
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In this dissertation, I explore the community development work of three prominent African
American artists who have used arts-based real estate development to create positive change
in their neighborhoods. Through a multiple case study approach, I investigate the real estate,
design, and artistic actions that led to the creation of these projects and if there were social
benefits that followed. These benefits include social cohesion, adherence to social health
determinants, minimization of displacement, and the perception of a strong cultural identity
for each neighborhood. By comparing the work of all three artists, I gain insights from
community partners, residents, and those within the organizations.
The first chapter of my dissertation highlights the importance of arts in city and
neighborhood development and government policies to aid vulnerable communities. The
second chapter reviews scholarly literature on the relationship between artists,
neighborhood change, and development. In the third chapter, I discuss my research methods
and evaluate the benefits and limitations of the case study approach. Chapter four
investigates each artist and their organization, exploring their creative practices, the
motivations behind their projects, and the real estate actions that made them possible. I
examine neighborhood dynamics and the perceived impacts of these projects, discussing the
opportunities and challenges they present. In the fifth chapter, I critically analyze the effects
of these projects. In the final chapter, I draw conclusions and highlight areas for further
research. While these arts-based development projects have positively impacted their
neighborhoods, it is essential to note the challenges of maintaining an arts-led community
organization. Ultimately, these projects cannot please everyone, but their benefits are far reaching
including improved social cohesion and cultural preservation.
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Creator
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Densmore-Bey, Aisha S.
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Subject
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African American
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Artists
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Arts-Based Development
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Black Artists
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Community Development
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Urban Planning
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Design
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African American studies
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Urban planning
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Contributor
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Forsyth, Ann
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Griffin, Toni L.
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Molinsky, Jennifer
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Date
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2023-10-26T03:57:01Z
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2023
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2023-10-18
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2023-11
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2023-10-26T03:57:01Z
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Type
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Thesis or Dissertation
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text
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Format
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application/pdf
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application/pdf
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Identifier
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Densmore-Bey, Aisha S. 2023. The Artist-Developer: A case study of impact through art-centered community development in neighborhoods of color.. Doctoral dissertation, Harvard Graduate School of Design.
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30690690
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https://nrs.harvard.edu/URN-3:HUL.INSTREPOS:37377303
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0009-0008-3311-6233
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Language
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en