A Work of Art
Recently while conducting research I was fortunate enough to come across a great new initiative in the United States called the Carroll Avenue Quebec Terrace Project (CAQT). It was launched by Arts on the Block (AOB), an organization working to transform a community through art. Needless to say, I immediately left a comment on their blog and was contacted by their Executive Director a short time later. The result was a conference call to discuss their project in more detail and talk about how they have incorporated Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) into their plan.
The CAQT will be creating art to improve safety and promote community pride in a neighbourhood plagued with crime, gangs, and drug dealing. AOB’s 20 apprentices are working with CAQT residents and a team of experts in art, design, crime prevention, and community development to create temporary and public art projects that will enhance the quality of life for hundreds of families.
Now, if that doesn’t sound like 2nd Generation CPTED at its best, you had better read further. The CAQT Community Centre is a community-based program centre of YMCA Youth and Family Services (YFS). The centre was established over 18 years ago to address the urgent needs of the underserved and ethnically diverse community in eastern Silver Spring, Maryland. The community centre is a safe haven for youth and families, and YFS provides an emergency food pantry, homework assistance for children, and a variety of adult services.
For those of us that are seeking out new ideas and embracing social development alternatives that can have an impact in our communities, the CAQT will be well worth following. On the home front, remember that we have our own success stories. Find out more by visiting the CAQT Blog where I recently contributed a guest feature. Finally, don’t forget that the Annual Red Deer Artwalk Festival happens the middle of June. Artwalk showcases local artists working at various venues, offers an evening of gallery hopping, a film event and a whole day festival with live music, extensive Art Market and FUN!
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I find the idea of supplying a public canvas for graffiti artists very intriguing. I do not think the graffiti problem in our city is out of control yet, perhaps it would be a good idea to get proactive and start talking about this with all the interested parties at the city of red deer, the allied arts council and the downtown business association and the community associations for a start.
Thanks for your input Cheryl. The City of Red Deer, RCMP, Downtown Business Association and others are monitoring this issue closely. It’s an ongoing problem for most communities and there is some good collaboration well underway here in our city.