Crystal Davis, “Arts Equity – An Ethnographic Study” (Finland)

I established contact and held discussions with researcher Dr. Eeva Anttila regarding current research in process in Finland to combat inequities in how segments of the Finnish population gain access to the arts. She provided details of methodology and published information regarding the current status of the nationally funded “ArtsEqual Project” research findings. Dr. Anttila also invited me to the Community and Art Symposium held while I was in town. This symposium included presentations by professional artists, international scholars, and current graduate students in the University of the Arts University Theater Academy who engage with community arts projects and research both within Finland and globally.

I also conducted participant-observer ethnographic research on Raisa Ekoluoma’s adult and middle school community theater classes at the Community College of Mikkeli. This experience led to forthcoming plans to develop a community arts dance-theater curriculum that focuses on equity and implementing critical pedagogy methods in its development as part of my continued research. Working with Mrs. Ekoluoma, a master practitioner and fellow Laban-Bartenieff movement analyst furthers my research inquiries on the intersections of race, movement analysis, and inclusivity in the creative processes and studio classes.

I learned of a new area of research that is developing in researching community art programing. This project helped me consider lines of inquiry along with other scholars around why community art has not been as thoroughly addressed in arts research. I also learned of the potential connection of my critical theory work with this conversation about researching community arts programs. I learned that community arts programming is a place in which a broader diversity of participants and challenges can be reached in examining issues of inequity in the arts.

-Crystal Davis