The Relationship is the Project: A guide to working with communities

Community-engaged practice is not an art form. It’ s not an add-on. It’ s a way of working: a deep collaboration. The Relationship is the Project features provocations, tools and practical tips for those who are currently, or are interested in, working with communities. This includes the ethics and logistics of working on community-based projects and contexts: from cultural safety to class, intersectionality to disaster recovery, climate justice to First Nations reworlding and more. This updated and expanded edition features more than 40 thought-leaders across the arts, cultural and community sectors. It is a must-have resource for all community-engaged practice.

Cara Kirkwood is a national advocate and influencer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, art, culture and creative industries. Currently the Head of Indigenous Engagement and Strategy with the National Gallery of Australia, Cara has previously worked with the Department of Parliamentary Services, Creative Australia, AGSA’ s Tarnanthi Festival and Desart in Mparntwe (Alice Springs). Jade Lillie is a facilitator, cultural leader and specialist in community and stakeholder engagement. She has worked throughout Australia and Southeast Asia in strategy, advocacy, program design, community-engaged practice and industry development. She conceived The Relationship is the Project following her role as Director and CEO at Footscray Community Arts and as a Sidney Myer Creative Fellow. Jax Brown (they/them) is an esteemed disability and LGBTIQA+ rights activist, writer, educator and consultant. Their tireless commitment to LGBTIQA+ disability human rights and advocacy has been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). Jax utilises their experience as a queer, trans wheelchair user to explore intersectional identities. Jade Lillie is a facilitator, cultural leader and specialist in community and stakeholder engagement. She has worked throughout Australia and Southeast Asia in strategy, advocacy, program design, community-engaged practice and industry development. She conceived The Relationship is the Project following her role as Director and CEO at Footscray Community Arts and as a Sidney Myer Creative Fellow.