Arts at the grassroots: an examination of arts in arural community and a case study of the Malvern Community Arts Council

Purpose: To describe and examine the social impacts of the arts on a rural community. To describe and examine the economic impacts of the arts on a rural community. To describe and examine the public and private funding available to the arts in a rural community. In order to examine the social and economic effects f the arts on a rural community, this paper investigates the presentations of the Malvern Community Arts Council Incorporated (MCAC within the Selwyn District, Canterbury) A definition of art is considered; the rural district of Selwyn and its community components are described; and a review is made of public and private funding of the arts. A summary of the presentations of the Malvern Community Arts Council is given and finally the paper concentrates on three significant events: The Great Darfield Debate, The Great Darfield Icicle and the establishment of the Selwyn Gallery.