Creative Instigation
The Art & Strategy of Authentic Community Engagement
Format:Paperback
Publisher:New Village Press
Published:22nd Oct '24
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This paperback is available in another edition too:
- Hardback£99.00(9781613322529)

Exploring creative responses to community challenges
Creative Instigation is a collection of in-depth case stories focused on effective and innovative community engagement and policymaking in diverse cities across the western U.S. Each story reflects the history and uniqueness of the community, organization, or institution—providing grit to the importance of context to understand the why and the how of this work. It includes the successes and challenges, and the efforts needed to do this work well. Unlike "typical engagement," where meetings are announced via limited venues with limited information, Creative Instigation describes engagement that is authentic, outreach that is expansive, and research that uncovers the soul of a community. No two approaches are alike.
This book is for those most likely to be responsible for community engagement work—city staff and elected leadership, community developers and nonprofit workers, architecture and planning students, scholars, and community activists, as well as people who care about their own community and the future of their city. The in-depth stories of multi-year efforts by organizations, institutions, and communities, working differently, and at times at cross purposes describe the unique, transdisciplinary skills required to bring these sectors together to solve shared problems.
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The insights offered by Fern Tiger in Creative Instigation, drawn from years of practicing and
honing her comprehensive process, offer a treasure trove of guidance and inspiration on bringing
people together to have conversations that empower them while also making a positive
difference in their lives. The chameleonlike nature of Tiger's process truly distinguishes it from
standard run-of-the-mill participation, and ensures engagement is inclusive and enjoyable,
honors all who participate, and ultimately taps into a collective well of wisdom that transforms
problems into a range of possibilities for enriching places and communities.
Reading this book is like sitting at the campfire of a long-time leader and listening to the stories
she has to tell. Fern Tiger is a master of how behind-the-scenes leadership can successfully
involve communities in key public policy matters, often finding an unexpected way to bring wins
to more than one side.
Through in-depth, real-world examples of democratizing actions, Tiger shows how
communities long frustrated by institutional exclusions, systemic oppressions, and the politics of
capitalism can lead to what she frames as "authentic engagement." Creative Instigation re-frames
art as movement-building and should be required reading for everyone concerned with
community organizing, leadership building, and addressing systemic injustices.
Fern Tiger's concept of creative instigation opens doors for effective community engagement
that honors the voices of those often omitted from public policy conversations. Through case
studies, she provides principles and lessons while simultaneously recognizing the importance of
specific contexts.
To every person who is desperate to know how to bring on the changes we all know we need,
Fern Tiger's book is a great gift. Creative Instigation gives us the inspired guidance to figure out
how to begin—and how to follow through. Creative Instigation is a real kick start for those who
long to make a difference in their communities. Thank you, Fern Tiger!
ISBN: 9781613322512
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 1089g
277 pages