Building on ongoing collaboration between UW Bothell and Tent City 4 (TC4), a semi-permanent homeless encampment in the Seattle suburbs run through democratic self-governance, a group of UW undergraduates—mentored by Ron Krabill—undertook a community collaborative research project as part of UW's annual Summer Institute in the Arts and Humanities. Students asked: What is the best way to create an authentic body of knowledge relevant to community, home and what it is to be a good neighbor in relation to TC4? Students worked closely with residents of TC4 and other stakeholders (including opponents of TC4) to construct both an art installation and a documentary film that resist typical depictions of people experiencing homelessness while exploring the multiple, contradictory meanings of community, home and neighbor. In addition to more conventional research, students utilized innovative sources of information, including analysis of media, visual documentation, and self-reflexive methods. The installation and film will be displayed at the annual fundraising dinner that generates the bulk of the funds for operating TC4. More importantly, both items will be used to provide education for communities in which TC4 is about to be located. For instance:
The film and installation will prove to be excellent tools for educating communities impacted by TC4 and homelessness more generally. Additionally, students and faculty involved in the project have already been invited to present their innovative community collaboration approach at four conferences, including one regional, two national, and one international in scope.
