1007 – Democratizing Parks through Arts and Culture

This session will present three working models for engaging unique communities, particularly those excluded or disenfranchised from public spaces (or simply felt). These groups include community-based artists in under-resourced areas and queer and trans youth of color, among others. The Chicago Park District spaces and resources were activated by these communities through collaborative programs that share decision-making between administrators and community members. In the second half of this session, we will offer attendees a workshop with a series of practical tools to adapt one of these three models to suit their unique cultural, geographic, and civic contexts.
Learning Outcomes:
- Leave with new methods for increasing community engagement, and expanding stakeholders, and an expanded toolkit to address issues of equity and inclusion.
- Develop a plan of action to implement one of these three models inside of your regional park program.