Prepare a Table: Creating Equitable Places Through Culturally Based Food-Sharing

Abstract

Communities are increasingly pressuring professionals in the field of arts and culture, and in the multi-sector realm of creative placemaking, to ensure that their projects are inclusive and equitable. Culturally based food-sharing offers arts administrators powerful ways to democratize arts experiences, celebrate the existing rich characteristics of a place, strengthen social infrastructure, and support communities’ self-determination. An analysis of projects by artists and culture-bearers who draw on shared meals and heritage-based foodways; anthropological and sociological studies about the transformative social bonding that occurs through food-sharing; and research into the state of the field of creative placemaking shows that the interests of artists and communities are reflected by including culturally based food-sharing in creative placemaking plans.