Abstract
Individuals, groups, and communities use the arts as important forms of communication and expression, including advocacy, knowledge production and dissemination, and resistance to oppression. As the world contends with the effects of multiple, interrelated global crises (e.g., COVD-19, climate change) and assaults on human rights (e.g., violence against Black, Brown, female-identifying, and trans and non-binary bodies), it is hard to imagine a more urgent time to envision how social workers can more actively engage the arts to promote social justice, equity, and inclusion. Identifying such a vision promotes reciprocal client-worker collaboration, assists in democratizing services, and elevates the strengths and assets of individuals, groups, and communities. This presentation will highlight synergies among the principles and practices of social work and the arts. Central to this vision is the prioritization of social worker-artists, a hybridized identity, where social workers embrace and harness their artistic talents to serve clients across the full spectrum of practice. The paper addresses how this hybridized identity adds value to social work practice, teaching, and scholarship. It also examines the benefits and challenges of integrating aural, narrative, performing, and visual arts in social work practice at micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Finally, we share a perspective on what social work practice and these art forms offer each other, with a particular focus on 1) affirmation of contextually specific art and person-in-environment practice; and 2) collectivity and empowerment through art and strengths-based approaches.
Presenters
Brian KellyProfessor, School of Social Work, Loyola University Chicago, Illinois, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
The Arts in Social, Political, and Community Life
KEYWORDS
Social Work, Social Justice, Equity, Practice
