Co-hosted by Maria Elena Rodriguez (DAISA Enterprises) and Annalina Kazickas (Wallace Center’s Food Systems Leadership Network) this August 2020 webinar explored the possibilities that exist at the intersection of arts, culture, and food systems.
Over 150 webinar participants heard from Ka Oskar Ly from ArtCrop and Brandi Turner from SippCulture and discussed strategies for developing arts-infused food systems within their community. Our ongoing reality of the COVID-19 crisis and struggles for racial justice illuminate how artistic and cultural practices are more critical than ever in envisioning and realizing resilient food systems.
The webinar was opened with a powerful spoken word performance of “Black Gold” by Naima Penniman of Soul Fire Farm and Climbing PoeTree. Ka Oskar Ly shared about how ArtCrop has used community murals and a communications campaign to tell the story of urban Hmong farming communities, a people who are historically nomadic and do not traditionally own land.
The webinar was opened with a powerful spoken word performance of “Black Gold” by Naima Penniman of Soul Fire Farm and Climbing PoeTree. Ka Oskar Ly shared about how ArtCrop has used community murals and a communications campaign to tell the story of urban Hmong farming communities, a people who are historically nomadic and do not traditionally own land.
"Art and food are accessible ways to experience culture without judgment."
Ka Oskar Ly, ArtCrop
Ka Oskar Ly, ArtCrop
Brandi Turner discussed how the pandemic has illuminated long-standing social issues but also opened up new opportunities for change. Food and art are both tools many are turning to now as they look to and envision the future.
“Normal was not a sustainable practice.”
Brandi Turner, SippCulture
Brandi Turner, SippCulture
DAISA ENTERPRISES & FIELD-BUILDING
DAISA has been very moved by years of work supporting and witnessing the power of arts-infused food systems change, including our five-year trajectory as the National Program Office for the Kresge Foundation’s FreshLo Initiative. DAISA serves as conveners and weavers of this effort, uplifting what's happening on the ground, gathering stakeholders across sectors, fostering innovative partnerships, and connecting artists and community leaders with resources.
In 2018 ArtPlace America engaged DAISA to conduct field scan research on the community development sector of food & agriculture which specifically integrated or intertwined with arts & culture. The national research and Cultivating Creativity report reveals what was already happening in the field, what types of projects were being funded, and how infusing artistic and cultural practice shifts the experience, process, and food systems change outcomes.
DAISA is currently exploring the possibilities that exist to continue exploring and supporting arts-infused food systems transformation. We will be hosting an Affinity Group discussion at the upcoming ArtPlace Virtual Summit (see Take Action section below for how to join!) to discuss what resonates around creating a practitioner-led Community of Practice on work at this intersection. Also, acting on a recommendation from the Cultivating Creativity report, we are engaged in leading an upcoming federal briefing on rural placemaking and the intersection of arts, agriculture and economic development.
TAKE ACTION
DAISA has been very moved by years of work supporting and witnessing the power of arts-infused food systems change, including our five-year trajectory as the National Program Office for the Kresge Foundation’s FreshLo Initiative. DAISA serves as conveners and weavers of this effort, uplifting what's happening on the ground, gathering stakeholders across sectors, fostering innovative partnerships, and connecting artists and community leaders with resources.
In 2018 ArtPlace America engaged DAISA to conduct field scan research on the community development sector of food & agriculture which specifically integrated or intertwined with arts & culture. The national research and Cultivating Creativity report reveals what was already happening in the field, what types of projects were being funded, and how infusing artistic and cultural practice shifts the experience, process, and food systems change outcomes.
DAISA is currently exploring the possibilities that exist to continue exploring and supporting arts-infused food systems transformation. We will be hosting an Affinity Group discussion at the upcoming ArtPlace Virtual Summit (see Take Action section below for how to join!) to discuss what resonates around creating a practitioner-led Community of Practice on work at this intersection. Also, acting on a recommendation from the Cultivating Creativity report, we are engaged in leading an upcoming federal briefing on rural placemaking and the intersection of arts, agriculture and economic development.
TAKE ACTION
- Watch the webinar recording and the original spoken word performance. Take a look at the webinar and Q & A notes.
- Join DAISA’s Supporting Placekeeping through Arts-Infused Food Systems Transformation Affinity Group discussions Oct 28 and 29 at the 2020 ArtPlace Virtual Summit. Registration is free and open to the public!
- Contact DAISA if you’d like to get involved in future conversations as this work develops.
- Read the ArtPlace + DAISA Enterprises field scan report Cultivating Creativity: Exploring Arts & Culture in Community Food Systems Transformation
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