Transforming Through the Arts

Abstract

The work of scholars and practitioners working in the field of peacebuilding and social transformation is equally art and craft. The arts have a social function that goes beyond its aesthetic nature as they have historically served as powerful tools for social transformation. These are acts of creation that are the results of rigor and intention. This chapter offers a discussion on how communities in Medellin have used the arts as tools for creating moments of creativity that have led to social transformation. To make sense of this, the authors use Lederach's suggestion to center simplicity when thinking about peacebuilding initiatives, as well as his use of Haiku as an analogy to how we, as scholars and practitioners of peacebuilding and social transformation, should approach our work.