Safe spaces, support, social capital: a critical analysis of artists working with vulnerable young people in educational contexts

Sellman, Edward

Abstract

This article provides a critical and thematic analysis of three research projects involving artists working with vulnerable young people in educational contexts. It argues that artists create safe spaces in contrast to traditional educational activities but it will also raise questions about what constitutes such a space for participants. It will then show that skilled artists often mediate dichotomous pedagogical positions, characterised by competency and performance. It will employ the metaphor of a trellis to illustrate how artists provide flexible structure and support whilst allowing freedom and growth. Finally, it will discuss the social impact of the arts through the lens of social capital theory, highlighting the utility of the approach whilst also indicating areas for critical refinement.

Citation

Sellman, E. (2015). Safe spaces, support, social capital: a critical analysis of artists working with vulnerable young people in educational contexts. International Journal of Art and Design Education, 34(1), https://doi.org/10.1111/jade.12026

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Mar 22, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 22, 2016
• Journal: International Journal of Art & Design Education
• Print ISSN: 1476-8062
• Electronic ISSN: 1476-8070
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 1
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jade.12026
• Keywords: artists; vulnerable young people; safe spaces; pedagogy; social capital
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/985234
• Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jade.12026/full
• Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Sellman, E. (2015), Safe Spaces, Support, Social Capital: A Critical Analysis of Artists Working with Vulnerable Young People in Educational Contexts. International Journal of Art & Design Education, 34: 60–72, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/jade.12026. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.