The Intergenerational Community Arts Council: A Network Collaborating for Impact

Commissioned for NOCD-NY’s Cultivating Neighborhood Networks project, this case study prepared for BRIC by Claudie Mabry researches and documents how the Intergenerational Community Arts Council (ICAC)—a network of public housing residents living in and around Fort Greene, Brooklyn—bring values-driven arts and cultural programming and resources to their community through a process of peer collaboration, leadership, and support. The ICAC has curated and presented a variety of cultural programs, including artist residencies, cultural SHARE events, resource materials, a summer block party, performances, exhibits, creative writings, and recordings.

Excerpts from the case study featured below:

Artistic Outlet and Support

Each ICAC program cycle has provided members with hands-on performance and production development with an artist in residence that allows the members to see an effort from fruition to completion.

To write the song [Spread Love]…, we all worked together in the studio and received support on production from our partners. Everything from start to finish was collaborative, and it was the largest scale of collaboration I've ever experienced as an artist.
– Alyssa Forte, ICAC member

Challenging Public Housing Narratives

Residents have historically been left to the margins of community and arts priorities and have seen a loss in cultural infrastructure throughout the generations. This program builds a sense of ownership and reclaiming that infrastructure.

People have these perceptions of what NYCHA is, and I see a wonderful place. These people love their homes. Going back to this sense of perspective is important for me. I often use the poetry and writing I develop in the ICAC to challenge narratives in NYCHA.
– Desiree Rucker, ICAC member

ICAC Program Partners

The program is funded and managed through a partnership between program partners at BRIC and University Settlement’s The Performance Project. The ICAC has become an inspirational model for both program partner organizations, and the commitment level they provide to the success of the program is invaluable.

The partners are an extension of additional networks, resources, and advocacy. They are a powerhouse of information on what else is going on outside of the ICAC. They give us access to see how art is created, which then feeds back into what we create. The program partners go far and beyond to extend their opportunities to members.
- Melissa Apedo, ICAC member

Community Resources

The ICAC network comes to the support and aide of one another, especially during times of difficulty and tension. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the network collaborated on “Resources for Joy”, a booklet that shares a variety of activities, creative writings, recipes, and ideas for mindfulness that they have offered to the world.

Inspiration and Vision

The confidence gained through the program has supported members in envisioning new professional outlets inspired by their creative collaborations.

Being a producer, director, and host for our programs has allowed me to push the envelope and follow my artistic dreams. Everyone believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.
- DaQuan Herring, ICAC member