the role of art in community?

here's some food for yer hearts and minds to munch on...

1) art as Community:

How can art act as a transforming agent in community? In other words, how do we move from thinking of art as a medium or product for someone to simply internalize to a more dynamic and holistic process where artists and non-artists alike can share and create together?

2) art as Gift:

Can the Christian artist actually express the inner workings of God's kingdom apart from community? In other words, can a Christian artist operate solely through promptings and ideas from within? Perhaps it is the very nature of the 'art of Christ' to learn how to draw inspiration from without--and to not hold on to it but to release it back in one swift movement...