Review of the Nanaimo Arts Council: Arts-Based Community Development Project – In A Different Scale and the Play the City Event

On June 12^th, the Diana Krall Plaza became the City of Nanaimo’s newest and largest musical instrument. At ‘Play the City’, the walls, sculpture and pavement of Diana Krall plaza were transformed into percussion instruments and the live percussion was mixed with recorded sounds of the core of our city. This was the culminating event or the British Columbia Arts Council sponsored Arts-Based Community Development project, In A Different Scale.

Since January, dozens of adventurous Nanaimo-ites gathered sound recordings of the city while working with artists Bill Perison, Steve Rush, Tamara Martella, Dave Roth, Leah Hokanson, and Tim Mills.

Early in the project, Aboriginal elder, Steve Rush, led a ‘soundwalk’ along the harbour front. This encouraged awareness and discussion about our acoustic environment, the social and political aspects of sound, new technologies and sound mixing, etc.

Afterwards, lead artists met with members of groups ranging from elementary school students, to youth, and seniors. Musician and vocalist, Tamara Martella describes her experience working with the women’s group at the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society, “They had been involved in a previous Arts-Based Community Development project with the NAC and they were happy to participate. The group was made up of Chinese, Persian, Russian, and Anglophone women. It was interesting explaining the project to them because I realized that this was something that the public mass wouldn't consider as important or worth looking into. Many people don't even know what they sound like and to hear them selves in play back was interesting. Speech can be so very melodious and people don't think of their speaking voice as melodious.”

In preparation for the Play the City event, pianist, composer and recording engineer Bill Perison said, "The intention is to bring together community members of all ages to explore the sounds of our outstanding city". As the cover of this Umbrella demonstrates, there was indeed community of all ages engaged in this gathering of over 50 people – all with drumsticks in hand. Along with live sound created by the participants, the recorded sounds were introduced over the high quality speakers in the plaza.

Local radio programmer with CHLY, Dave Roth, noted, “I think it is subversive. That’s why people liked it. Hitting on buildings and things … normally we are not allowed to do that.” 

Odette Laramee, NAC Manager suggests that there is so much creative potential in this city and the facilities are available to groups who are prepared to plan events that bring people out. Together we can create a shared understanding of our collective cultural experience in this place and time.

The project had an impact on the individuals involved. Tim Mill’s offers a personal perspective on his involvement, “My narrative begins with a young man and ends with a young man, but a man with more confidence that art and creativity is reasonable path.  Indeed, it is reasonable and it was great to have been brought together with other people who clearly feel the same way. As a single man living in a fragmented post-modern world where detachment from neighbours and community is regular, this project provided so much more than just a chance to mix and practice my craft.  I began to really enjoy the time spent with my colleagues, and I began to really enjoy people asking me what it was all about, this “different scale” and “Arts-Based Community Development”. As a DJ and Audio Engineer so much of my work is done alone in dark DJ booths or isolated studios, “In a Different Scale” was a new place for me, and one that I'm so thankful to have visited.  ABCD is a place I want to journey to again.  It's changed me for the better.  It's an experience I will meditate on for some time to come.”

 An additional Arts Council initiative also grew from the project. Leah Hokanson will work with two other music/sound professionals to offer a four day sound workshop for youth. Details on this opportunity will soon be available.

The NAC is presently preparing the application for the third phase of British Columbia Arts Council – Arts-Based Community development funding.  We will apply to undertake a project entitled, In A Different (S)pace.  To date, the outline for the program involves the development and premiere of a community mapping documentary film with co-lead artists who live with special needs.  We will engage a lead artist with knowledge of filmmaking, community arts and group facilitation. The intention is to encourage community building and advocate for greater accessibility to arts and cultural services in Nanaimo.  If you are interested or know artist who may wish to participate, please contact Odette Laramee at 250.729.3947 or admin@nanaimoartscouncil.ca