Civic pride enhanced

Full description

This outcome is about how engagement in cultural activity can contribute to a sense of civic pride. By civic pride, we mean pride in a geographic location that is, or sits within, a government administrative area. The pride may relate to how the locality looks, what products and services are offered there (such as when a town is a centre for creativity and cultural offerings), how people from that area behave or the values, systems and processes of governance of that area (such as democracy and respect for human rights). This outcome might be what is intended in initiatives to promote ‘brand’ or ‘city’ recognition.

Theory underpinning this outcome

Civic pride is “an emotional and political value connected to both everyday experiences and wider structures and processes” (Collins, 2019). Significant factors in any sense of pride towards the nation or more locally is a feeling of admiration and stake-holding, the notion that the individual has played a part in any achievement or admirable quality (Evans & Kelley, 2002). McQuillan, Quinn, and Murray (2012) argue that a sense of civic pride in the community can lead to a reduction in conflict and positive feeling towards others. Civic pride can emerge from the qualities of the people and the community, such as perceptions of the place being friendly, tolerant and cohesive across community groups (Collins, 2019). Morrison (2016) found that pride residents felt towards their city was reflective of a sense of collective achievement rather than individual success.

Civic pride can also be stimulated by the community environment and the feelings and relationships people have to their environment. Public buildings can be symbolic of a national of civic identity (Arnold, 1999). Urban regeneration projects have also led to greater feelings of self-esteem and civic pride in local communities (Paris, & Baert, 2011).

Civic pride is important due to its ability to foster a sense of shared identity among different people and diverse communities (McQuillan, Quinn, and Murray 2012). It has been noted that civic pride often centres on “shared images, values and ideals” (Collins, 2019) but is related to the feelings of the local community and residents and not the feelings of those who are from outside the area (Wood, 2006). Morrison (2016) found that pride residents felt towards their city was reflective of a sense of collective achievement rather than individual success.

Evidence that this outcome occurs

Informal comments from the Letting in the Light public art project indicate that there was an attachment to the exhibition and suggest that exhibitions in public places can contribute to a sense of civic pride (Wood, 2006).

Saving and repurposing factory buildings in Lille was seen to preserve not only architectural heritage by also the history and memory of those who worked there as well as presenting local values. This was especially significant for civic pride in an area that experienced a lot of prejudice in the rest of the country (Paris, & Baert, 2011).

Community events have been linked to an increase in civic pride. (Wood, 2005)