For the fourth challenge project, Fellows partnered with Beaumont Family Medicine and the Detroit Center City Clinic to address how the engagement in the arts can have a positive impact on community health, well-being, and equity in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Unique to prior challenges, this particular project involved collaboration efforts along with other community partners to create an active living campaign focusing on holistic solutions to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

During the course of the five weeks, project Fellows worked alongside, Dr. Asha Shajahan, a Beaumont Community Health Physician and other Eastside, Midtown and Northwest community groups to assembled the need to support exercise. It was expressed how exercise is key in preventing and combatting obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Dr. Shajahan also impressed upon health disparities in the community and how the intersection of art and culture can be a useful tool that encourages active living. Other expert stakeholders for this project shared the importance of how arts and culture are powerful tools with which to engage communities in various levels of change. They are a means to public dialogue, contribute to the development of a community’s creativity, healthy communities capable of action, and provide a powerful tool for community mobilization and better health.

Fellows were divided into four teams, who focused on creating an art exhibit that builds awareness of healthy living while highlighting affordable yet, accessible fitness activities in key Detroit communities. Each team were allotted diverse skill sets and professional backgrounds that played a role into delivering a perspective for this project. By leveraging the human- centered design approach, Fellows joined their individual areas of expertise such as architecture, design, healthcare, business, and communications.

As the project initialized, Fellows were prompted with the following question: “How might we use art as a medium to build healthy communities and create a culture of active living in Detroit?” Along with creating a physical art exhibit, each project team collaborated to create a fitness inventory that included places available to exercise and fitness activities within the Eastside, Northwest and Midtown communities. Each inventory list was distributed as an added resource for populations within Detroit. Below is a brief synopsis of how teams bridged the gap between arts, culture and active living.

Detroit Central City/ Midtown Team-Art Exhibit: “Let’s Play” theme

Through community interviews, the Midtown team found that adults may view exercise as an intimidating and overwhelming activity. The Midtown team aimed to inspire those of all ages to be creative with their surroundings and break the barrier of access for exercise. In doing so, team one wanted to shift the common mindset by reframing exercise as “play”.

 

 

Samaritan Center/ Eastside Team-Art Exhibit: “Elevated Cardio” theme

During a community interview, it was stated that “If men would just take the stairs instead of the elevators then they would begin to see a progressive impact on their health; especially cardiovascular disease.” The Samaritan team generalized statement by turning stair-climbing into a game, challenge, or even into a giant piano, people can be compelled to ditch the lift and use the stairs. The final art installation combined movement with music encouraging the use of a functional space while promoting healthy habits.

 

 

Adam Butzel Recreation Center/ Northwest Team -Art Exhibit: “Step Into Something New” theme

Team three began their empathy stage at the Adams Butzel Recreation Center by speaking with community members in northwest Detroit; where they learned that there is a lack of accessible and affordable opportunities for exercise. By capturing that information, the team was able to create an interactive exhibit of silhouetted motions on 4’ by 8’ banners paired with oversized shoes and motivational phrases. The hope is that by physically stepping into a pair of shoes and enacting a “fitness movement”, individuals of all ages will be inspired to live healthier lifestyles.

 

Eastside Community Team -Art Exhibit: “Limitless” theme

While engaging within the eastside community, it was discovered that opportunities to exercise were often impacted by limited resources and lack of safe spaces. In addition to learning the community, the team gained feedback that children were even more inspired to be active by interactive exhibits, bright colors, and the actions of their role models and peers. As a youthful approach, team four created a deliverable that inspires the imagination to find alternatives ways to play, interacted, create and be physically active.

Art is a powerful tool to inspire lifestyle change. But, art and culture together can make considerable and necessary contributions to the well-being of communities.

Click here to see more pictures of the art created by the Fellows and the gallery created at the final presentation.

 

This blog was written by current Fellow and Project Coordination Lead for this project, Jarrett Waddy, M.S. Jarrett a Year 5 Challenge Fellow at the University of Phoenix, grew up in River Rouge, MI and aspires to be a leader within Detroit. To read more of his thoughts on Detroit, check out his blog here.