Art Hives: Communities of Practice and learning to be in Community

Abstract

The purpose of this research paper is to situate the emergent Art Hive movement, first historically, and then theoretically, applying educational theory to lived and participatory experience. The Art Hives are independent art centers and open-studio spaces loosely amalgamated into a network. Each art hive runs their own community arts-based programming practicing the concept of radical hospitality and inclusion. While these centers are becoming recognized for their role providing art-as-therapy, the discussion of their role as sites of learning is still less defined. This paper examines the types and functions of various art hive models and outlines some critical theoretical underpinnings for learning in art hives, such as third place theory, communities of practice, and human agency theory.