Connecting Californians
Finding the Art of Community Change
An Inquiry into the role of story in strengthening communities

Appendix B

Prominent Themes: Findings from Map Participant Survey

In a follow-up survey, scan participants representing 54 California counties were sent a draft copy of each of the three maps and asked to check them for accuracy. They were also asked to answer a series of questions and their answers are reported here.

Fifty-four surveys were sent; one-third (18) were completed and returned. Not all respondents answered every question and some had several comments under each question. Their responses are synthesized by comment, not by respondent.

Findings from the 18 counties represent prominent themes ranked by number of similar responses.

What prompted the development of your community production?

• community issue or need
• California Council for the Humanities program
• general interest in local history
• needs/interests of local artists

What is going on in your community now that might prompt you to follow-up on your production or lead to new community productions?

• continuing programming in arts, humanities, and education
• growing audiences and local participation
• artistic renaissance/new arts organizations
• local issues that continue to need attention

Who initiated the community production?

• local artists or theater companies
• large and small local organizations
• California Council for the Humanities
• local citizens

Who in your community might be interested in organizing future projects?

• theater groups
• larger organizations including museums, parks and recreation, and local art councils
• smaller organizations including churches and other nonprofits
• local businesses

In addition to the production, what other events and media were part of your project?

• formal and informal community conversations
• educational workshops and seminars
• oral history collecting
• photography and video
• music
• historical reenactments
• poetry and prose readings
• puppets

What happened as a result of your project/production?

• deepened historical memory
• attracted new audiences and support
• people were pleased, had fun, started talking and thinking about new things
• inspired new productions and artistic innovation
• built new connections and relationships
• built community identity and pride
• learned valuable skills

What outcomes would you like to see result from future community productions?

• more community engagement in and support of the arts and humanities
• build local historical knowledge/memory
• create more local dialogue about the community
• inspire collective action on ways to share stories and begin community healing
• more support from the funding community

Are there other audiences or participants that you would like to engage in future projects? If yes, name these potential audiences and participants.

• youth
• Latinos
• local residents in general
• seniors
• Native Americans
• women
• Asian and southeast Asians

What surprised you about your community project?

• large audiences and their overwhelmingly positive response
• no surprises
• conflict and disagreement
• requests for fundraising performances
• community participants became professional artists
• high quality of the work
• positive recognition received for participating organizations