A/r/tography: At the Intersection of Art, Leisure, and Science

Abstract

A/r/tography is an arts-based research methodology and form of representation. The spelling of the word indicates the ways multiple roles of artist, researcher, and teacher are folded in the process of inquiry. We argue that as a field of scholars who value new ways of knowing and embracing experiential education, using a/r/tography as a lens through which to explore lived, dreamed, and not-yet-imagined experience represents a valuable methodological addition to the leisure literature. We endeavor to provide an overview of the methodology by exploring a series of questions. First, why might a/r/tography be useful for leisure scholars in particular? We then explore what a/r/tography is, what it does, its strengths and weaknesses, what it produces, the role of the a/r/tographer and reader, and how we might judge the quality of an a/r/tography.

Notes

1 We intentionally use businessmen here in lieu of business people because the word “suits” is generally used to refer to businessmen and not businesswomen. It is a classic example of language which works to privilege one group over another.

2 While a/r/tography and CAP are similar in many ways, the role of the “a” and the “t” in a/r/tographer highlights a difference. The a/r/tographer’s practice, and subject positions as teacher/researcher/artist are intertwined. This is not necessarily indicative of the CAP practitioner who may or may not see themselves as teacher and/or artist.