PARTICIPATION AND CITIZENSHIP

THE CASE OF PARTICIPATORY AND COMMUNITY ARTISTIC PRACTICES

Abstract

 A foundational element of citizenship, participation constitutes a challenge in building stronger and more democratic communities and societies. This text starts by exploring the different dimensions of the concept of participation, highlighting the aspects that contribute to its quality, and focusing on the specific case of participatory and community art practices. Main theoretical models, which make it possible to monitor how the processes and conditions be equated to encourage participation are developed. Understood as a continuous and procedural exercise, based on critical reflection and diversity, the existing research in this area is briefly presented, as well as the devices and strategies that promote the quality of participatory experiences, seeking to answer the question: How to enhance participation? The same exercise is done concerning the concept of cultural and artistic participation. Finally, examples of artistic projects in different parts of the world that use these practices are presented.