CCEL Grants Project Library

Art Workshops: Bringing Creativity to the Community

Over a span of six months, the Downtown Eastside Art Engagement Project curated and hosted 18 enriching arts and crafts workshops at various community hubs. These workshops offered a diverse array of activities, from UV resin jewelry crafting and candle making to terrarium design and more. The goal was clear: to provide opportunities for women in the area to explore their creativity and find solace in art.

“I recognized a need for more opportunities for arts and crafts involvement in the community,” Bootsma recalls. This realization came while volunteering at a local community clinic, where the lack of accessible art resources for the women became apparent. This motivated the search for ways to bring these opportunities directly to the community.

A Catalyst for Change: The Connect to Community (C2C) Grant

Upon discovering the C2C grant from the Centre for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL), she saw a chance to turn this vision into reality. The grant provided the necessary funding to source materials and create meaningful workshops tailored to the specific interests and needs of the women being served.

“It was the perfect catalyst to transform my vision into a tangible reality,” Bootsma shares. With the grant, the project could bring creative activities and therapeutic engagement to those who needed it most.

Personal Growth Through Community Engagement

Embarking on this project was a transformative journey for Taylor, leaving an indelible mark on personal and professional growth. It provided an opportunity to develop essential skills such as leadership, project management, and budgeting, while also fostering a deeper connection with the community.

“Interacting with the resilient and determined women of the Downtown Eastside, listening to their narratives of perseverance, was profoundly enriching and shaped my perspectives in ways I had never anticipated,” Taylor reflects.

Lessons Learned: Adaptability and Flexibility

Throughout the project, several key insights emerged. The transformative power of community engagement was evident in the tangible impact the workshops had on the lives of the women. The importance of adaptability and innovative problem-solving became clear as challenges arose, requiring quick thinking and a flexible approach.

“The journey underscored that while the path of community service is rewarding, it also necessitates continuous learning and adaptability,” Taylor notes.

Advice for Future Applicants

For students considering applying for a CCEL Grant, Taylor offers some valuable advice:

• Begin with passion: Start with a genuine introspection about the community or cause you’re passionate about. Authenticity resonates and enhances the impact of your project.
• Research thoroughly: Understand the goals and criteria of the CCEL Grant to tailor your proposal effectively.
• Collaborate and seek partnerships: Diverse perspectives can enrich your project’s design and execution.
• Be adaptable: The journey of implementing a community project is a learning experience; remain open to feedback and growth.

The Downtown Eastside Art Engagement Project is just one example of the impactful work being done through community-engaged learning. By combining art, empathy, and innovation, this project has made a difference in the lives of underserved women in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, demonstrating the transformative potential of genuine community engagement.

Information about CCEL Grants

If you are interested in partnering with students as a community organization, or would like to lead your own project as a student, you can learn more here.