EXPLORING THE ROLE OF ARTISTS IN CREATING A MORE JUST AND SOCIAL PUBLIC
As a long-time activist and co-founder of the Boston-based Design Studio for Social Intervention (DS4SI), Lori Lobenstine discusses making meaning and creating change in the public sphere through the integration of social justice strategies with art, design thinking, and social practice. Offering several examples from DS4SI’s own work as well as other domestic and international examples, she describes the creation of an energetic, new, third space—one where activists and artists come together with a shared understanding of the powerful possibilities for creative social interventions that can shift “small-c culture” and create change at the scale of the public. The paper applies a theoretical framework to understand how artists’ use of “productive fictions,” “elegant gestures,” humor, and surprise can interrupt social norms, helping people imagine new solutions to complex social problems. In this integrated work, Lobenstine and DS4SI promote “small-d democracy,” in which people can exercise their interest in and ability to impact the parameters of daily life through art and design.

HOW TO DO CREATIVE PLACEMAKING
This resource helps you navigate creative placemaking topics. Each section has a series of essays from some of the best minds in this field, and also some case studies of projects funded through the NEA’s signature arts and community development program—Our Town. 

INDIANA CREATIVE PLACEMAKING TOOLKIT
A hub for creative placemaking resources, examples, funding and connections for Indiana communities. Including how to build partnerships and talk about your success.

INFORMAL ARTS: FINDING COHESION, CAPACITY AND OTHER CULTURAL BENEFITS IN UNEXPECTED PLACES
A team of ethnographers from the Chicago Center for Arts Policy at Columbia College (CCAP) conducted a research study to investigate adult participation in the “informal arts” which encompasses such diverse experiences as acting in community theater, singing in a church choir, writing poetry at the local library, or painting portraits in a home studio. These “hands-on” activities tap people’s creative potential and expand our concept of artistic participation beyond the role of audience member.

JOURNEY TO CREATIVE PLACEMAKING: LESSONS AND INSIGHTS
Reflections, learnings and insights on Creative Placemaking are shared in this series of white papers from The Kresge Foundation’s Arts & Culture team in concert with partners from different fields and sectors. The goal is to help illuminate the foundation’s multi-faceted approach to grantmaking, share lessons learned, identify challenges and opportunities encountered, and encourage conversations in the field. 

MAKING PLACES FOR EVERYONE - WITH EVERYONE
Placemaking has become an important tool in the community development toolbox to revitalize disinvested, underutilized areas to attract people and activities. This article from the Stanford Innovation Review talks about how placemaking strategies can spur growth and improve quality of life in cities, when they are used equitably and ensure community involvement.