The stickiness of Muslim Neighbors: Evaluating an interfaith arts-based community initiative

ABSTRACT This paper explores the development of an evaluative framework for Muslim Neighbors, a grass-roots interfaith arts-based initiative in a small midwestern city. A review of literature discusses the unique contributions of the arts and religion (specifically interfaith initiatives) in peacebuilding and community development (two related processes). Then, methods of evaluation for interfaith peacebuilding and socially engaged art (SEA) are synthesized to create an evaluative framework for Muslim Neighbors. This framework is put to work evaluating how Muslim Neighbors addressed Islamophobia and built relationships between different faith groups in its local community. This study concludes that the intersection of interfaith peacebuilding and socially engaged artmaking provides a fruitful structure for building relationships, fostering diversity, and increased civic participation.