The Positive Core: Executive Summary
The Positive Core
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Executive Summary
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Framework & Resources
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Full Report PDF & Credits
In 2006 & 2007 NAMAC conducted eight regional gatherings with media arts leaders, including sessions in Cambridge, MA; Seattle, WA; Minneapolis, MN, Charlotte, NC, Philadelphia, PA; Chicago, IL; Tucson, AZ, and Los Angeles, CA. A total of 97 media arts leaders participated, representing a diverse cross-section of organizations including media arts centers, youth media groups, film festivals, university programs, distributors, public access television organizations, community radio groups, school programs (from elementary to high school), and interdisciplinary arts organizations.
Using an Appreciative Inquiry framework to exchange examples of “times we were at our best,” the gatherings surfaced the following eight themes or values—the positive core of the media arts:
Download the Full Report.
In 2006 & 2007 NAMAC conducted eight regional gatherings with media arts leaders, including sessions in Cambridge, MA; Seattle, WA; Minneapolis, MN, Charlotte, NC, Philadelphia, PA; Chicago, IL; Tucson, AZ, and Los Angeles, CA. A total of 97 media arts leaders participated, representing a diverse cross-section of organizations including media arts centers, youth media groups, film festivals, university programs, distributors, public access television organizations, community radio groups, school programs (from elementary to high school), and interdisciplinary arts organizations.
Using an Appreciative Inquiry framework to exchange examples of “times we were at our best,” the gatherings surfaced the following eight themes or values—the positive core of the media arts:
- Community building and collaboration. Themes of community building and collaboration are woven throughout the media arts. Participants’ stories highlighted how they are using media as a tool for community building from the local to the global levels, and how groups are collaborating internally among program participants and/or staff as well as externally with diverse partners. The centrality of relationship-building was at the heart of many stories.
- Empowerment and public voice. Media arts practitioners are committed to empowering others and cultivating public voice. Participants offered examples in which others were enabled to share their stories and their histories through media education, production, exhibition and preservation activities.
- Learning and mentoring. Learning and mentoring are prevalent values in the media arts, including intergenerational learning and youth development. Participants offered stories about learning through media education, media making, exhibition, archiving, festival programming, networking with peers, and serving as mentors.
- Catalyzing civic engagement and a more just world. Media arts practitioners are working for a more just world by catalyzing civic engagement and social change. Participants’ stories highlighted the power of media to educate with independent points of view, engage youth and adults in their communities, and organize to impact public policy. Their varied examples ranged from a local organizing campaign that utilized public access television to international media collaborations.
- Supporting artists and diverse voices. Media arts practitioners share a commitment to supporting artists and cultivating diverse voices—especially those outside the mainstream. Participants offered stories about supporting the development of artists, taking risks in pursuing creative visions, perpetuating artistic legacies, and ensuring the inclusion of disenfranchised voices.
- Cultural bridging. The work of bridging cultures takes many forms in the media arts. Participants’ stories included examples of how the media arts are fostering understanding of diverse, culturally-based perspectives through media education, media making, exhibition, and community dialogue.
- Innovating and inspiring audiences across disciplines. Media arts practitioners value innovation and interdisciplinary approaches that reach new audiences. Participants’ stories emphasized their willingness to experiment with new ideas, challenge existing frameworks, and work across disciplines to engage audiences.
- Partnering for greater impact. Media arts practitioners recognize the value of partners in extending their reach and results. Participants highlighted examples of partnerships that involved financial and other forms of support.
Download the Full Report.
