Community development and creative communities

Many years ago, I went to Los Angeles to train as a Dharma Art teacher with the Shambhala Meditation Centre. It's called Contemplative Arts now, which I like because it makes it more accessible. The training included concepts like letting go, first thought-best thought, and arranging objects to reflect true dignity and nature.

I've often felt like I've let myself down by not developing this beautiful training. But lately I've realised that it's at the heart of what I do as a Community Development Manager. As our communities continue to find ways to be in this world, it's the creative process that can really allow people to define their own strengths.

One of the community arts projects I'm incredibly proud of is an audio project called Kaiwhakarongo - listeners - which I did around 15 years ago with the now assistant Mayor of Kapiti, Janet Holborow. We told the story of the Kapiti community through sound. Well, one slither of it anyway. We recorded sounds of, amongst other things: morning tea after church; te reo Maori lesson at kohanga reo; the train bells at Paekakariki, the Lotto counter in Coastlands, and a school speech about why we shouldn't chop down so many trees. By listening, we learn. And by editing objects and desires of community in a certain way, we can reveal the silent in-between.

Another, is a project on March 15 this year with the Wellington Mosque in Kilbirnie. With photographer Russell Kleyn, we created a community-led project where Russell took photos, and I facilitated a creative writing workshop with community members. The Mosque wanted to explore how to connect the outside communities with their inside community. After the flowers, after the Police presence, we wanted to ask, how are you? Kaif al-hal, kei te pehea koe? You can listen to the story that Radio New Zealand did on the exhibition during the mosque's open day.

The collective poem that came from the writing workshop, and the individual writing, was also an exercise in letting go of any preconceived ideas about what creative writing is. Participants from the Muslim community wrote of hope and a new strength and connection they feel since the massacre in Christchurch. And during the exhibition, we invited the public to write their response to the exhibition. First thought-best thought.

And my role at Be Collective is also creative. Our approach to building social infrastructure in communities varies depending on what is needed. One approach that is quite creative is the way we support ecosystems. We start with natural connections; we listen, we facilitate, and we help create a community that is connected and strong. Whakawhanaungatanga - establishing links and making connections. Creating.

I spent the first half of my life in the arts. I left because I felt that the outlet for being creative belonged to those of privilege. And I thought being creative belonged in a theatre or in a television script, or an art gallery. Communities are their own arts spaces. They are naturally creative because they have to be. And the more they identify and broadcast their own storylines and sounds and players, the stronger they are.

Creative Communities. That's what we are.