Feminist Aesthetic Practice of Community Development: The Case of Myths and Mirrors Community Arts

Abstract

Using Myths and Mirrors Community Arts, a feminist adult education and development organization, this article argues that paying attention to the aesthetic dimension of politically-oriented pedagogies can add to knowledge and understanding of community development and social learning theory and practice. Imagination and creativity are powerful tools inherent to all human beings that enable risk-taking, the reclamation of public space, and the simultaneous exercising and contesting of power within the neo-conservative landscape. Moreover, feminist aesthetic practice of community development augments cultural leadership by creating new cultural actors and agents of change.