Campaign Meeting: The Case for Socially Engaged Arts
At a time of growing inequality, social isolation, ecological crisis, increasing polarisation and declining trust in institutions, socially engaged arts play a unique role in translating global challenges into local action. Through creativity, participation and collaboration, they bring people together to respond to complex issues, strengthen social connections, and imagine alternative futures.
Yet despite their contribution to community life, social cohesion and democratic participation, socially engaged arts remain under-recognised within policy and funding frameworks. Their cross-sectoral nature, often spanning culture, health, education, social justice and community development, means they frequently fall between existing structures of support, recognition and evaluation.
Drawing on key findings from Constellations of Change, the Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts‘ latest comprehensive report on the field across Europe, alongside insights from several Alliance Fellows whose work spans diverse socially engaged arts contexts across Europe, this campaign meeting will explore both the potential of socially engaged arts in a rapidly changing world and the political and structural barriers they face.
Together, we will consider what is needed to strengthen recognition and support for the field, and how emerging opportunities within the EU policy landscape, including discussions on the next MFF, the Culture Compass and the Work Plan for Culture, can help advance this agenda.