Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/934268

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Title
Art, social work and social change
Author/Creator
Schubert, Leanne
Institution
University of Newcastle. Facilty of Education and Arts, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Description
Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Description
Art sits at the heart of social work and is central to social change. This thesis provides a beginning evidence base for this long held disciplinary view by examining the role of art in social change within communities. A shared history and common ground between art and social work was established using mixed methods within a creative heuristic methodology to define art and its relationship to social work. Inspired by the need identified by Hugh England for a theory of social work which incorporated a theory of art, this thesis redefines art in social work, from a bio-ethological perspective against a list of criteria for art, to suggest social work is art. It distinguishes this from the art of social work, which it locates in practice. Situated within the context of community practice, that is, art in community and arts-based community development, this thesis proposes a model of creative community practice able to accommodate both disciplines. Extensive literature findings were examined empirically to ascertain the effectiveness of art as an intervention through the ‘Safe at Home’ project. This nested study tested the effectiveness of arts-based community development in raising community awareness of and changing attitudes to domestic and family violence within a real-world context, and the implications for practice. This is a unique study in that no empirical research could be found which had been designed to determine if art raises awareness of or changes attitudes to domestic and family violence. Blending art with science, a social intervention research model was used to gather baseline data via a community-wide survey, implement eight art-based interventions using an embedded art practice as research method to collect data, and gather post-intervention data via a neighbourhood survey. Limited to the early phases of the social intervention research process, findings suggest art is not effective in achieving short-term attitudinal change, but establishes a climate conducive to change. The difference between disciplines in community practice centre on ethics and findings support the inclusion of ethics in art education. Findings indicate art is a form of unconscious knowledge which opens the potential for greater understanding of the tacit workings of social work practice.
Relation
University of Newcastle Research Higher Degree Thesis
Date
2012
Keyword(s)
art;  social work;  social change
Resource Type
thesis
Rights
Copyright 2012 Leanne Schubert
Identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/934268
Language
eng
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"Art, social work and social change"
 
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