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Collaboratively Developing a Web site with Artists in Cajamarca, Peru: A Participatory Action Research Study Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Amanda S. Alexander, M.A. Graduate Program in Art Education The Ohio State University 2010 Dissertation Committee: Dr. James H. Sanders, III Dr. Patricia Stuhr Dr. Karen Hutzel Maria Palazzi Copyrighted by Amanda S. Alexander 2010 ABSTRACT This study considers the collaborative processes developed in creating a Web site with the Colors and Creations cooperative of artists in Cajamarca, Peru. Working through a participatory action research methodology, the study employed autoethnographic methods, “make” sessions and narrative research facilitating the emergence of participant stories about the collaborative process. These participants include nine artists from Cajamarca, Peru; Lisa Fousek, an undergraduate Visual Communications and Design student; anonymous Web users from the United States and Peru; and myself as researcher. Additional collaborators include Web Developer Brian Hill and Research Assistant Ryan Johnston. The study is grounded in critical and postcolonial theories and decolonizing methods that set the stage for the collaborative process. After reconsidering literature on non-governmental organizations’ work with indigenous populations, exporters, entrepreneurs, businesses, and Fair Trade organizations working with artists in Peru, I review similar studies conducted in other developing nations and projects using participatory action research. Based on empirical observation, field notes, participant’s journals, surveys, interviews and “make” sessions, several significant themes emerged; those revolving ii around issues of trust within the group, international economic policy issues (dis)serving the development of direct trade with artists through online selling, challenges surrounding international shipping, and language. Recommendations for future research and imagined subsequent studies could further knowledge about grass-roots development and advance the cause of social justice, cultural survival and economic sustainability. This study served the self-defined needs of participating artists as we collectively created a Web site through which customers can learn about traditional Peruvian culture, craft techniques and products. A byproduct of the study was my developing a deeper understanding of international development, cultures and those relationships and practices of nongovernmental organizations, Fair Trade advocates, policy makers, business(wo)men, and international development firms who are involved in international development, trade and cultural exchange. iii Dedicated to my artist friends in Peru and all those who supported me in this process. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I wish to thank my advisor Dr. James H. Sanders, III for intellectual support, encouragement and attention to detail. Without his support and continuous feedback and edits, this study would not have been possible. Dr. Sanders has made me a better researcher and writer through this study and the five years we have worked together. I appreciate everything he has done for me, and the amount of time he has invested in my growth as a person and academic. I want to thank my dissertation committee Dr. Patricia Stuhr, Dr. Karen Hutzel and Maria Palazzi for also supporting me in this endeavor. Thank you to Dr. Stuhr for believing in me when times were hard and supporting me financially while conducting fieldwork in Peru. Thank you to Dr. Hutzel for her insights on the participatory action research methodology and helping me to focus on who this research serves. And, thank you to Maria Palazzi for guiding me in the initial stages of my research and connecting me with Lisa Fousek, my undergraduate research collaborator. I would like to thank Dr. Liz Sanders for her time and patience in helping me develop my fieldwork plan in Peru, the Barnett family for all their financial support throughout my academic career, and to the Department of Art Education at The Ohio State University for expanding my knowledge in so many ways. v I am grateful to my research collaborators including all the artists at Colors and Creations in Cajamarca, Peru; Lisa Fousek, undergraduate Visual Communications and Design student; my cousin Brian Hill; and my research assistant Ryan Johnston. And last, but not least, I have received endless amounts of encouragement and support from my family and Francisco “Alex” Montiel-Ishino. Alex provided continuous support by helping me translate materials and served as a brainstorming partner in all stages of the research. Thank you to everyone for having confidence in me and never giving up. vi VITA October 22, 1977………………………….Born – Warsaw, Indiana, USA 1996-2000………………………………...Intern, Indiana University Union Marketing Department, Bloomington, IN 2000………………………………………BS, Business Marketing and Graphic Design, Indiana University Kelley School of Business, Bloomington, IN 2000………………………………………SCI-Madrid Volunteer, Madrid, Spain 2000-2002………………………………..Marketing Specialist, Teachers Credit Union, South Bend, IN 2002-2005………………………………..Peace Corps Volunteer, Peru, South America 2005-2007....……………………………..Barnett Fellow, Department of Art Education, The Ohio State University 2005-present……………………………..Global Gallery Volunteer, Columbus, OH 2006……………………………………...Intern in the Public Information Office, the Ohio Arts Council, Columbus, OH 2007-present.......………………………...Intern, Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission, Columbus, OH 2007-2009.......…………………………...GTA, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 2009.......…………………………............Arts Enrichment Specialist, Upward Bound, Columbus, OH vii 2010...........................................................Barnett Research Fellow, Department of Art Education, Columbus, OH FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Art Education Area of Emphasis: Cultural Policy and Arts Administration viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract………………………………………………………………………………… ii Dedication.......................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgments……………………………………………………………………....... v Vita…………………………………………………………………………………….... vii List of Tables…………………………………………………………………………… xiv List of Figures………………………………………………………………………… xv List of Photos.................................................................................................................. xvii List of Graphs................................................................................................................... xx Chapters 1. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………........................................ 1 1.1 Introduction………………………………………………….................................... 1 1.2 Researcher Subjectivity.............................................................................................. 2 1.2.1 Examining Racism, Sexism and Classism......................................................4 1.3 Research Questions.................................................................................................... 7 1.4 Living in Cajamarca, Peru: Desconfianza………………………............................. 8 1.5 Autoethnographic Understandings and Narrative Inquiry…………………........... 11 1.6 Background of Study: My Peace Corps Journey………………............................. 12 1.6.1 As Artist…………………………………................................................... 14 1.6.2 As Minority……………………….............................................................. 18 1.6.3 As Volunteer………………......................................................................... 20 1.7 Entry into the Research Setting................................................................................ 23 1.7.1 As Student.................................................................................................... 24 1.7.2 As Researcher............................................................................................... 25 1.8 The Proposed Study & Conceptual Framework...................................................... 27 1.9 Intended Outcome.................................................................................................... 30 1.10 Chapter Summaries................................................................................................ 32 2. THEORETICAL AND WEB BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY......................... 36 2.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………….............. 36 ix 2.2 An Introduction to Critical Theory……………...................................................... 36 2.3 Philosophical and Theoretical Roots of Critical Theories....................................... 40 2.4 A Participatory Action Research Introduction......................................................... 42 2.5 Philosophical and Theoretical Roots of Participatory Action Research.................. 44 2.6 Critical Theories: Addressing Dimensions of Oppression....................................... 45 2.6.1 Applying Marxist Theories in Action.......................................................... 45 2.6.2 Critical Race Theory.................................................................................... 47 2.6.3 Feminist Theory........................................................................................... 48 2.6.4 Post-Colonial Theory & Poststructuralism.................................................. 51 2.7 A Place for Critical Theory in PAR.........................................................................