This report demonstrates how small budget arts activities play a role in leveraging both local and non-local assets for neighborhood improvement. Throughout this report we shift the focal point from the art productﾝ to the activity around it. We saw how such activity connects people to resources and to each other, and enables local problem solving. This report draws attention to the social networks that exist within local communities and encourages further exploration of ways to develop these networks. Our research synthesizes social science research on social capital, arts production, and neighborhood capacity building.

We surveyed 10 neighborhoods: Logan Square, Kenwood, Oakland, Woodlawn, Grand Boulevard, North Lawndale, Rogers Park, Uptown, Little Village and Humboldt Park. Arts activities in this study are regularly organized activities, which are open to the public, including visual art exhibitions, theater, dance, poetry and literary presentations, arts education, art therapy and community festivals. We sought out arts activities with budgets under $100,000. (From Executive Summary)

[This research report was commissioned by The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and funded by The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.]

This report demonstrates how small budget arts activities play a role in leveraging both local and non-local assets for neighborhood improvement.