Instructions:

The video below provides a first-person narrative of a young couple’s passion for the arts as they transform their community from an ‘arts’ desert to an ‘arts’ showcase providing a venue for activist musicians to find audiences they might never otherwise connect with.     Please watch the video called Building Community through the arts which demonstrates how important every single individual can be in building a deep sense of community.  

In your initial post, please address the following:

• Why might musicians use their music to raise awareness and consciousness about different social issues? In your response please use at least one example (from the video, from your own community or from a different resource) in order to illustrate your points.
• Artists and musicians often choose to utilize public spaces.  Why might a song, focused on a social justice issue, be more effective in public spaces rather than in a private home turned music venue?  Do you think there would be fewer or more restrictions on the types of messages when presented in the public forum?  Defend your position.
• Benoit and Elaine are powerful examples of community building.  In a separate paragraph describe a venue you would create if given the chance.  What form of the arts would you focus on (dance, music, reading poetry, etc.) and what themes, social justice issues, or community issues would you present at the grand opening?  Explain your choice.

Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with citations and references in APA format.