AMY KIPP
PhD
Exploring the intersections of Community Art Spaces and Local Municipal Governments
In this research, community art spaces are defined as organizations focused on making the arts more accessible to communities.
From running community art programs, like mural projects or quilting circles, to offering spaces for film festivals and artist talks, to providing open studio and exhibition opportunities to artists, community art spaces play a critical role in communities – they are “sites of celebration, artistic expression, cultural exchange and tradition” (Cultural Policy Hub, 2024).
Such sites provide a “third space” where communities can gather outside of home and work spaces (Cultural Policy Hub, 2024). Many community art spaces contribute meaningfully to civic and democratic participation, as spaces where creative practices are used to build relationships across difference, mobilize communities, explore critical social issues, and imagine alternatives to the existing order of things (Borrup and Zitcer, 2025). Despite their important role in community life, little research has explored the connections between community art spaces and local politics at the municipal level.
This study aims to better understasnd the intersections between community art spaces and local municipal governments by identifying the existing local government practices and issues community art spaces are engaging with.
To explore this, we wanted to hear directly from those who know community art spaces best. In May-July 2026 we conducted a survey of representatives from 45 community art spaces across Canada.
Survey results provide insight into the services community art spaces offer and the populations they serve, their interactions with local governments, and their engagement with local governance issues.
Check back in soon for research findings!
This research is conducted by Dr. Amy Kipp and Dr. Leah Levac at the University of Guelph's Community Engaged Scholarship Institute. It contributes to a broader research initiative called, Participation Matters, which aims to advance the participatory and equity-focused policies and policymaking practices of local governments across Ontario