Art-Based Community Development (ABCD) Programs

This program was made possible with support from the BC Arts Council. We are deeply grateful for their trust in New Works and their commitment to community-rooted, arts-based initiatives that foster connection, healing, and creative expression.

What is Art-Based Community Development?

Art-Based Community Development (ABCD) is a collaborative approach that brings together artists and communities to co-create artistic experiences. These programs focus on healing, empowerment, and connection, using art as a tool to foster community engagement and social change. By centering the voices and experiences of participants, ABCD initiatives create inclusive spaces where creativity and community intersect. 

New Works 2024-25 ABCD Projects

In the 2024–25 season, New Works partnered with Watari Counselling and Rainbow Refugee to deliver two distinct ABCD programs:

  • Rainbow Refugee: This initiative engaged LGBTQ+ refugee claimants in an 8-session creative process, leading to a collective performance at their annual event in honour of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

  • Watari Counselling: Focused on refugee and immigrant women, this program offered a series of trauma-informed workshops culminating in a final presentation during Mental Health Week in May.

Both programs emphasized movement, storytelling, and artistic expression as pathways to resilience and community building.

About Our Community Partners

 


Rainbow Refugee
Rainbow Refugee supports individuals seeking refugee protection in Canada due to persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or HIV status. Their work fosters safe, supportive communities for LGBTQ+ newcomers.

Watari Counselling & Support Services Society
Snce 1986, Watari supports diverse communities, initially focusing on high-risk youth in Vancouver. It has expanded its mission to offer programs and services to various individuals and groups in downtown Eastside and surrounding areas. At the heart of Watari’s mission is the belief that diversity is integral to a caring community. 

Why Art and Social Services?

Integrating art into social services offers transformative opportunities for healing and empowerment. ABCD programs provide participants with tools to express their stories, build resilience, and foster community connections. By collaborating with organizations like Watari and Rainbow Refugee, New Works leverages the power of art to support social change and individual well-being through community experiences. 

  • Participant, Community Artist
    I learned how it’s possible to create dance flow both creatively and inclusively
    Participant, Community Artist
    Rainbow Refugee
  • Participant, Community Artist
    I was able to meet a group of peer moms who have stories similar to mine, and this makes me feel part of a community of support.
    Participant, Community Artist
    Watari Counselling
  • Participant, Community Artist
    Learning about the movement of MMIWG2S+ with Butterflies in Spirit made me feel a sense of solidarity not only for the Latin American community but also with the natives of these lands.
    Participant, Community Artist
    Watari Counselling
  • Participant, Community Artist
    I felt like a true artist. It was a space to channel my emotions through movement and I discovered that a movement can express more than a word.
    Participant, Community Artist
    Watari Counselling
  • Participant, Community Artist
    Your workshop and guidance have uplifted me during very tough times as a refugee claimant.
    Participant, Community Artist
    Rainbow Refugee

Meet the Facilitators

Our co-facilitators are experienced interdisciplinary artists dedicated to professional and community-engaged practices. Their work bridges movement, storytelling, and collective creation, with a focus on fostering inclusive, trauma-informed, and culturally grounded spaces. With backgrounds in dance, somatics, and socially engaged art, they bring a deep commitment to collaboration, care, and empowering participants through creative expression.

Marco Esccer

About the facilitator
A queer Mexican dance artist, writer, and Dance Movement Therapist, Marco brings a rich blend of technical and therapeutic insight to his work. His practice explores the intersections of motion, emotion, and cognition, creating spaces for awareness and connection through art and movement. // Photo by Julian Pintor

Kevin Jesuino

About the facilitator
An interdisciplinary artist of Portuguese heritage, Kevin's practice spans performance, public art, and community engagement. He integrates Community Cultural Development methods and social innovation principles, emphasizing collaboration and the co-creation of knowledge and expression.

Judith Colibri

About the facilitator
A multidisciplinary artist and activist from Mexico, Judith combines socially engaged art, movement, and healing practices. Since 2021, she has been a dancer and choreographer with Butterflies in Spirit, an activist dance group raising awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people in Canada. Her lived experience as a refugee informs her commitment to creating empowering spaces for others.

DONATE - Support Our Work

Programs like ABCD are made possible through the generous support of the BC Arts Council and individuals like you. Your contributions help us continue to create inclusive, healing spaces where art and community thrive. Consider donating to support future initiatives.

Donate and support more ABCD projects

Top photo by Sharon Herrera