Workshop Three | Artful Leadership for Community Building Program

Workshop Three | Artful Leadership for Community Building Program

Gemma Robins

The Artful Leadership for Community Building Program recently held its third and final workshop in Esperance the weekend of Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November 2015.

The first day was an Open Space workshop sponsored by the group, who distributed invitations to the regional community to participate and lead discussions about issues important to them.

Artful Leadership for Community Building Program participants with Country Arts WA employee Barb Howard and Karrak Consulting facilitator Kim Lisson. Photo by Dan Paris.

Twelve community members joined in the Open Space and a set of actions were developed out of the discussion process including developing a central coordinating hub idea that came out of the first round of consultations held in February 2015.

In the wake of the devastating fires in the region, the group moved into action learning. They demonstrated the value of the arts in times of crisis to move the community beyond survival into a space of flourishing. Kado Muir sang a traditional song in language to the community at the Esperance Markets on Sunday supported by the beautiful harmonies of Peta Jurgens, Marcus McGuire, Ange Leech and Ashley Gibb – who played the didgeridoo. Artists, Ange Leech and Marcia Koulbanis Leonard constructed the Dream Tree and the group engaged with the community inviting them to communicate their aspirations for the future on brown paper leaves.

The third workshop concluded with a strong commitment to continue working together to develop regional projects over the next twelve months.

Find out more about the Artful Leadership for Community Building Program here.

This Artful Leadership for Community building program has been made possible with funding from the Goldfields‐Esperance Development Commission through the State Government’s Royalties for Regions, Regional Grants Scheme.