Art in the Woods

This important contribution to the literature on university relations with the wider community explains and describes best practice for a new model of working characterised by mutuality, reciprocity, shared risk and genuine exchange. Whilst Fox’s pedagogically-centred chapter draws from models of service learning projects in the US and Australia, its research and dissemination significance lies in the ways in which these have been resituated to address the particular context of specific art practices in the South of England. Based on a thorough analysis of the working practices of students within the university’s Faculty of Arts and Architecture and women from an arts group centred on a local council estate, it arrives at specific conclusions about the crucial elements in partnership projects that create learning opportunities for students in community settings, in this case land owned by the National Trust. Exploration was made of the collaboration and mutual understanding that grew up between the two groups and of the significance of art as a cross-cultural language in building relationships between people with very different personal histories. Although the project itself lasted only for about two months, an assessment has been made of its enduing impact on the people involved, as well as its potential for developing in all participants a broader understanding of other ways of living. Alice Fox’s authoritative input into this chapter derives from her particular experiences and research expertise gained from setting up and running this and other similar projects and provides a blueprint for further research and practice in the field.