Advancing the role of art and culture in promoting inclusion and fighting racism
Action Leader: Ireland
What is the specific problem?
As European societies have become increasingly diverse over the past decade, it is important that this diversity is reflected in what is on offer in key cultural institutions and policies, as well as in the media. Across Europe, several initiatives have emerged in recent years to try to leverage art and culture for migrant and refugee inclusion: for example, some have used art and culture as tools for empowerment, educational inclusion, and intercultural exchange; others have aimed to make mainstream culture establishments (museums, libraries) more accessible to migrant populations.
Despite this progress, recent events such as the Black Lives Matter demonstrations or xenophobic attacks against minorities in Europe linked to COVID-19 have once again shed light on long-standing issues in the treatment, representation and participation of migrants and minority ethnic groups in diverse societies. These tensions point to the need of continuing investments to harness the potential of art and culture to promote positive encounters, mutual understanding, and social cohesion. Such investments may include bringing the offerings of established cultural institutions—such as museums, theatres and libraries—more effectively to diverse communities and populations. They may also seek to promote a more participatory and inclusive understanding of art and culture— one that is more inclusive and sensitive to the artistic production and cultural engagement of migrant communities.
What was the goal of this action?
In this area, the Urban Agenda Partnership on Inclusion of Migrants and Refugees supported migrant and minority populations’ access to and participation in arts and culture, with the objective to leverage the potential of art and culture to promote social inclusion and cohesion in diverse communities.
By focusing on the inclusion of migrants and refugees in cultural services and bringing to the fore the views of cultural institutions, as well as of civil society and grassroots organisations—including migrant-led organisation —this action complemented the action of the Partnership on Culture/Cultural Heritage.
scoping study
This action produced a scoping study, conducted by MPI Europe. Drawing on interviews with cultural professionals from 11 European countries, the study explores approaches to strengthening the participation of migrant and minority communities in arts and culture, with potential benefits for immigrant integration outcomes, social cohesion, and the vibrancy and sustainability of cultural institutions. It examines migrants’ and minorities’ inclusion on three levels: as visitors of cultural venues and consumers of art, as featured artists and performers, and as leaders and staff within cultural institutions. Lastly, the study contains policy recommendations on how policymakers at different levels of governance, in partnership with cultural venues and institutions, can help advance migrants’ and minorities’ participation in art and culture.
The study results were presented at a Plenary meeting and disseminated among relevant stakeholders. Building synergies with the Urban Agenda Partnership on Culture/Cultural Heritage, the study was also presented at the webinar ‘Culture and Social Inclusion in Cities’ organized by URBACT and Eurocities in November 2022. You find a summary of the event here.
Main takeaways
Main takeaways include:
Migrants and minorities face specific barriers to participating and actively shaping the cultural scene. This includes, for instance, language barriers, financial barriers, or lack of networks and cultural capital.
Over the past decade, a flurry of initiatives has emerged across Europe to improve migrants' inclusion in arts and culture, often led by CSOs or cultural institutions. However, these are rarely sustainable.
Policymakers can promote cultural inclusion by strengthening cultural institutions' role in migrant integration and by promoting a structural approach to diversity within cultural institutions
Which partners?
Action leader: Ireland
Members: URBACT, Eurocities, Government of Flanders, City of Berlin, the European Commission’s DG Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME) and DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL), City of Amsterdam