Academy and community: The experience of a college programme in socially engaged practice

A review of Irish art indicates that socially-engaged and collaborative art is firmly rooted within certain communities. Whilst there is an array of terms used to describe the range of practices emerging within the field of relational arts, making for some confusion, the establishment of socially-engaged art within particular communities in Dublin can be traced to the 1990s. In this article the role of the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) in supporting the development of socially-engaged art is examined through the lens of a post-graduate programme entitled Community/Arts/ Education. The concepts and practices underpinning the programme are considered in the context of on-going change within teacher education at the NCAD. The relationship between the academy and community is examined critically in the context of local developments in socially-engaged practice. Key features of socially-engaged art are analysed in two case studies by artists whose practice is located in Dublin. © 2012 Intellect Ltd Article.