Case Study: Bytown Art Group

Ottawa, Ontario

Background

The Bytown Art Group evolved from a meeting held at the Union Mission, a long-time shelter for men in downtown Ottawa in October 1996. The purpose was to identify the barriers that exist for artists living close to the streets. The artists identified lack of money to purchases supplies, lack of space to create and store art, and lack of interaction with peer artists as three of the main barriers.  The Bytown Art Group grew from that meeting, started creating art in 1997, and were still at it four years later. At first, the group met weekly in a donated space at Options Bytown (a non-profit housing building in the neighbourhood); space was later donated by Sandy Hill Community Health Centre.

Goals and Objectives

The Bytown Art Group believed that creative expression through art enhanced people’s well-being. The group provided art supplies and a safe place to help those in need, to create their art. Members gained a sense of community as they worked together towards this common goal.

Operation

The Bytown Art Group met twice a week to provide people with an opportunity to participate in creating art. Participants had the chance to share their artwork with other artists and to exchange ideas and information about art. Group members worked individually in a variety of mediums or they chose to work collaboratively on large projects. Group members helped plan art shows to display their talents and launched fundraising initiatives.  

The group, with the facilitation of a coordinator, provided art supplies, a safe environment, and art storage to artists who were low-income, street involved or homeless.  The coordinator also responded to individual needs, orchestrated art exhibits, and initiate artists involved fundraisers. The coordinator worked in three different locations: Options Bytown, where the artists met on Tuesday afternoons since February 1997; Sandy Hill Community Health Centres, where the artist met on Friday afternoons starting in January 1999; and Centre 454, where participants in the day drop-in program met on Monday afternoons from January to June, 2000

The program was relatively open. Homeless or at risk individuals interested in pursuing art came by and started working. People worked with watercolours, acrylics, pastels, charcoal and colouring pencils. Ideas were floated through the Advisory Committee composed of participants, staff and volunteers.

Materials were provided by the program, and were purchased or gotten through donations and fundraising. The Sandy Hill Community Health Centre funded most purchases. In January 2000, Centre 454 received $8,458 from the Initiatives to End Homelessness Fund. This funding provided a part time 5-month salary to the coordinator who started a new art group at Centre 454 and continued to facilitate the two existing art groups at Options Bytown and Sandy Hill Community Health Centre. A great deal of the coordinator’s work was done on a voluntary basis.

Approach

Art was seen as a tool for building self-esteem. The approach focused on healing, self-discovery and building confidence, but it was also a jumping-off point towards further integration into society. Members developed artistic talents, as well as skills in other areas, such as communication and co-operation, which helped them meet other challenges in their lives, i.e., housing, employment, and addressing addictions. By expressing themselves artistically, participants saw themselves as artists, “not as street alcoholics or mentally ill people,” said Valerie Judd of the Sandy Hill Health Centre.

Outcomes

A survey revealed out of 25 participants: 94 percent noted decreased isolation, and increased motivation, sense of community and validation as artists. It also indicated that many of the members came to the group for more than three years. Two of the artists found full-time employment and housing. The feedback of the survey demonstrated that the lives of participants were enhanced by their membership in the Bytown Art Group.

Key Changes

The Bytown Art Group lost their funding to secure a coordinator. However, in the absence of paid coordinator, the art group kept the program going. In spring 2001, a new coordinator was to be hired through the Homelessness Initiative Fund.  The coordinator was to administer and manage the program from Centre 454.

Key Strengths/Challenges

Judd said that without a doubt it was a positive experience for many of the participants. It gave people a regular activity that enhanced their well being and provided some stability. Previously unconnected individuals found an interest and a place they enjoyed.

The key challenge was a consistent lack of funding.

Lessons Learned

The lesson offered to others is to partner with local community groups and businesses to make the process work. 

Contact Information

Valerie Judd
Sandy Hill Community Health Centre
221 Nelson
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1C7
Tel: (613) 789-8458

Photo credits: Metro Non-Profit Housing Association, Stuart Mair.