Community connection and cohesion

Communities are facing a number of transitions such as changes in the ageing and demographics of the population, increased social isolation and limited options available for younger persons. A successful way to create community cohesion is through art that builds local capacity to create a sense of cohesive self that is then portrayed in a long lasting piece of displayed art. This may be in the form of a mural, sculpture or other form as the group envisages is important for the local setting.

Groups of people (10-20) will come together in four locations - one in the LGA of Bayside, Glen Eira, Stonnington and Boroondara. The early engagement is to use a well-known method of creating a shared image of what being part of a connected community means. Participating in this facilitated method of creating meaning through image association will build a pool of people who are then able to build broader community capacity and replicate the project. Each group then selects the art medium to create a display. The first project would be a mural in Bentleigh East.