The Story Slam Model: Leveraging Autobiography in Participatory Arts for Audience Diversification

ABSTRACT

The Story Slam is a trending model in participatory arts programming. This case study of the Philadelphia-based organization First Person Arts (FPA) examines the value of the Story Slam, both for individual audience members and for organizational audience development and engagement efforts. Findings explore the connection between creative agency in arts programming and audience loyalty, and between autobiographical programming and experiences of authenticity. This study ultimately examines a lack of socioeconomic and ethnic diversity in FPA's audiences, depicts how the Story Slam model naturally lends itself to the cultivation of a diverse community, and makes programming recommendations for increasing audience diversity.