art27 - Arts for Social Inclusion
Hosted by Musicians Without Borders, art27 - Arts for Social Inclusion is a platform for artists, arts educators and arts organizations working for inclusive societies.
During my tenure as Project Coordinator of art27 from May 2022 to December 2023, I played a pivotal role in coordinating and implementing the platform's program activities. This included maintaining communication with members, curating content for our programs, and facilitating data collection for monitoring and evaluation purposes. In addition, I ensured project sustainability by overseeing financial planning, researching and pursuing funding opportunities, and reporting progress to donors. By providing regular updates to MWB staff, I ensured alignment with organisational goals and contributed to the platform's efforts in fostering inclusive societies through the arts.
With a global presence spanning 91 members across Europe, the Middle East, North and Central America, and Australia, art27 facilitates collaboration and exchange among diverse creative practitioners dedicated to social inclusion through the arts and amplifies the impact of their work.
The platform pursues its core mission through three interrelated programs:
connect & network
art27 organizes gatherings of socially engaged artists and arts organizations in Europe and beyond to share expertise and forge collaborations.
share & promote
art27 collects and openly shares resources and knowledge with all who wish to use art to contribute to a welcoming and just society.
advocate & influence
art27 seeks to impact the public and political narratives of war, refugees, and migration through arts-based and advocacy actions.
One of the most rewarding projects I had the pleasure of working on at art27 was the open call for collaborative artworks in 2022. This initiative aimed to foreground new narratives of displacement, exile, and refugee experiences, fostering the creation of collaborative artworks that portrayed the truth of displacement.
It was inspiring to collaborate closely with the artists awarded the grant, particularly Anas Qadamani and Anan Alkadamani, two talented emerging artists based in Rotterdam. Together, they created Delirium I, an evocative audiovisual piece that delves into the unprocessed thoughts, experiences, and emotions experienced during their journey from Syria to the Netherlands.
Another project that stood out during my tenure at art27 - Arts for Social Inclusion was the Young Artists Action Campaign in 2023. This initiative harnessed the energy and passion of young artists, empowering them with resources to advocate for the social inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers. As the Project Coordinator, I led online talk activities designed to inspire and mobilize creative action among participants.
One particularly memorable experience was engaging with Arts & Social Engagement students at Leeds Beckett University in December 2023. During our discussion, we delved into the core mission of art27 and explored the platform's various initiatives promoting inclusion and resilience through the arts. We also exchanged valuable insights on the significance of arts culture in fostering community cohesion and discussed strategies for pursuing fulfilling careers in community arts.
It was immensely gratifying to witness the enthusiasm and commitment of the students as we collectively explored ways to effect positive change through creative expression and advocacy.
Colophon
Project Coordinator
Sofia Vieira
Communications Officer
Ed Holland
Advisory Committee
Laura Hassler
Chris Nicholson
Host Organisation
Musicians Without Borders
art27- Arts for Social Inclusion was primarilysupported by Fondation Alta Mane.
