This presentation by Dr Abbie Cairns explores the role of communities of practice for artist-teachers in adult community learning.
This presentation explores the role of communities of practice for artist-teachers in adult community learning. Based on my lived experience of an artist-teacher in this sector I reflect on the artist, teacher, and artist-teacher communities that I find myself in and consider visual ways of mapping involvement.
The presentation draws on the work of Lave and Wenger (1991), Wenger et al (2002), and Daley et al (2015), and begins with an overview of their work on communities of practice. I will outline what communities of practice are, how they work, and different types of membership, in reference to these publications. The presentation will also consider what happens when you are excluded from communities of practice, and the negative implications of this on identity.
The presentation ends with an invitation to map your own communities and your involvement in them, as a reflective tool.
This presentation was given at The Next Chapter: 2nd Artist-Teacher in Adult Community Learning Conference in 2024.
Abbie Cairns is an artist-teacher working in Adult Community Learning and is engaged in both art and teaching practices. Abbie is a text-based artist who makes and exhibits work regularly. Both of her practices are concerned with storytelling and communication.