The arts as a social movement: A case study in Atlanta, Georgia

The dynamics behind public support of the arts in the United States and grassroots mobilization to protect this support are framed in a broad social context of symbolic meaning, politics and the economy. This research explores the social organization of the arts, mobilization of grassroots support and indicators which suggest the emergence of a social movement for the arts. The theory of social movements from Manuel Castells and others form the theoretical perimeters for this research. Castells cites four primary indicators that mark successful grassroots social movements including a relationship with the government, a relationship with professionals, a collective identity and collective consumption. Economic indicators and an analyses of social networks have been added to supplement the theories of social movements since the social organization of the arts in the United States centers around well defined social and economic linkages.