Abstract
This paper analyzes citizen participation in art museums as a care tool designed to engage with local communities. Specifically, the research focuses on the case study of the health program ‘Cuid’Art’ at the Garrotxa Museum (Catalonia, Spain). The aim is to examine its impact on all parties involved and to evaluate the role and significance of the museum in its surrounding community. In Catalonia, many museums have embraced citizen participation as a primary strategy to connect with their audiences. However, despite its democratic and pedagogical potential, many of these initiatives lack a coherent framework to standardize criteria, theories and models that could guide museum practitioners. This research seeks to establish indicators for assessing their influence and effectiveness, aiming to serve as a valuable and practical tool to enhance the Catalan museum sector. Using a qualitative approach and an ethnographic fieldwork based on participant observation, interviews, and focus groups, the ‘Cuid’Art’ program is analyzed to comprehend the uses, interpretations, and behaviors that shape participatory processes as ‘care work’ in museums. Thus, the project exemplifies participation from a site-specific standpoint, meaning that it is designed to meet the needs of the people and the organizations in the surrounding areas. Although participants’ sense of agency may be limited, the program highlights the experiences of a vulnerable group using art as a transformative tool. Ultimately, it reflects the museum’s commitment to social care and well-being, connecting participants with the institution, objects and space in an intimate, safe, accessible and inclusive way.
Presenters
Judith Abellán ReinaPhD Candidate, DIDPATRI Research Group, Applied Didactics Department, Faculty of Education, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Citizen Participation, Art Museums, Community Engagement, Care-ful Museology
