Voices in the Courtyard

A community cultural development (CCD) project giving community members a voice in the future direction of arts development within the City of Kingston.

With the revitalisation of Moorabbin Junction as an Arts Precinct and the forthcoming development of a future Arts & Culture Policy, the Markers Market, with its strong community presence, is an ideal opportunity for creative consultation and community engagement.

The Kingston Markers Market is now in its 6^th year, recognised for its one-of-a-kind handmade designs from talented local artists and designers. The market features 70 stalls offering paintings, ceramics, fashion, accessories, photography, jewellery, stationery, cushions, blankets, books, hats, collectables, toys, dolls and more.

With a drawcard of thousands, the market was a great opportunity for creative consultation and engagement, through the use of a participatory creative activity. It is also a platform to showcase KingstonArts programs and facilities and an opportunity to meet with Kingstons Art & Culture committee members.

The project took place in the courtyard between City Hall and Kingston Arts Galleries on the evening of the Kingston Makers Market, December 6. A large number of community members visited the market with 150 participating in the project.

Community members were asked to respond to the question, Art is…….. Their responses were written or drawn on pre-prepared flags which were assembled together to create the installation, Voices in the Courtyard.

This project had a number of objectives which included, raising the awareness of the KingstonArts resources and programs, partnering with local creative businesses in the Moorabbin precinct, raise the awareness of community development principles through the arts such as, participation, engagement, sense of belonging, identity, access and social justice and shows how a project like this can be a vehicle for community engagement in a creative way.