When do arts-based methodologies work?: a case illustration involving newcomer experiences and knowledge-production in community-based research

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the joint-knowledge production that emerged through a community-based research project conducted in partnership with a social service organization. Specifically, we present an unanticipated metaphor (‘Canada is clean’) that became evident through utilizing an art-based methodology. The methodology had five participants assemble photo-diaries over the span of two weeks. Participants took (unedited) photographs of themselves and their environments using their smartphone. The photo diaries were then presented to two focus groups: (1) a group of consumer-recipients of the social service organization and (2) a group of program workers. The focus groups were analyzed through Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis tailored for assessing groups. We address the meaning of the central metaphor, though place an emphasis on the milieu that promoted its co-construction and thereby upon the conditions that enabled arts-based research to succeed.