Communities Speak
Marin County
Project Title: Finding Marin
Project Sponsor: Marin Arts Council
Project Directors: Jeanne Bogardus and Alicia J. Rouverol
”Finding Marin: Stories of Home” used stories to look at the issue of affordable housing in Marin County, one of the most expensive housing markets in the nation. Stories were gathered from residents of many backgrounds and walks of life, from artists and environmentalists to new immigrants. An exhibit of participants’ stories and photographs took place at the Marin Community Foundation and Marin Civic Center.
The project involved a number of community groups, many of which worked together for the first time. A representative of one of those from the Ecumenical Association for Housing, said that her organization never thought about using the humanities in its work but now thinks it could be a critical component. The project appears to have made an impact on participants and audience alike. According to audience surveys, conducted by Harder+Company, some 94 percent of respondents said they planned to tell others what they learned at project events. And focus group participants reported that the project stirred them to educate others about the housing issue and made them interested in becoming politically involved.