This document discusses social inclusion and the potential role of arts and cultural programs in cities. It defines social inclusion as creating conditions for community membership and participation. The purpose is to understand social inclusion and maximize community access to arts. Research questions examine definitions of social inclusion, its use in policy, and facilitating collaboration between arts and communities. Interventions discussed include school programs, volunteering, media campaigns, and community arts to build social capital and address exclusion. Participation is valued for personal and community benefits like development, attraction, investment and employment.

1. Toward Social Inclusion of Arts and Cultural
Programs
in the City
Toward Social Inclusion of Arts and
Cultural Programs
in the City
Saad Aqeel Alzarooni
2009
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2. Biography
Saad Aqeel Alzarooni
Savannah College of Art
and Design. U.S
Master of Fine Arts in
Design Management
Research interests: Arts
and Cultural Participation
and Design for Social
Change
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3. Contents
o Research Purpose
o Research Questions
o Key Concepts:
Social Inclusion
Social Exclusion
o Social Inclusion and Policy
o Value of Participation
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4. Purpose
The study is a systematic attempt to explain the
complexity of, and generate new perspectives for looking
at the relationships between arts and diverse
communities in the city from social inclusion perspective.
In view of that, the purpose is to achieve deep
understanding of social inclusion as necessary concept to
maximize the community’s capacity for arts , cultural and
recreational participation.
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5. The arts and culture might have a potential role in social
inclusion for two reasons:
First, ‘taking part’ in the arts can be done actively, as artist,
or passively, as audience.
Secondly, participation in the arts has more appeal than
some traditional forms of personal and community
development. It is likely to be enjoyable as well as valuable
in other ways.
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6. Research questions
The study will be guided by the following broad research
questions:
1. What do we mean by social inclusion as a concept?
2. How the concept has been used in policy and
program development?
3. What are the factors that facilitate collaborative work
between arts and community development concerns?
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7. Social Inclusion
It is a concept that seeks to create the conditions for
individuals to be included as a member of the
community. (Akemi Tsukada, 2007).
According to Guildford (2000), the term ‘inclusion’ is
about being accepted and being able to participate fully
within the context of family, community and society.
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8. Social Inclusion is both an Efficiency and an Equity Issue
People who are excluded from social and economic
opportunities suffer directly, and are less productive,
more dependent on social programs, and more likely to
be involved in criminal and self destructive behavior.
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9. Social Exclusion
It covers lack of access to services, good social networks,
decent housing, adequate information and support, and
the ability to exercise basic rights. It affects both the
quality of life of individuals and the equity and cohesion
of society as a whole.’
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10. Social Exclusion Results From Multiple Challenges .
Geographic
Isolation Low Income
Physical
or mental
disability
A combination of overlapping factors contribute to social
exclusion. The more challenges a person faces, the more
they are excluded from important activities and
opportunities. (Todd Alexander Litman © 2006)
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11. Social Inclusion and Policy
Policy Initiatives tend to take one or both of two forms:
1. Direct attempts to tackle particular types of exclusion,
as, for example, in job training schemes or housing
renewal projects or health education programs.
2. Attempts to improve life chances by dealing with forms
of exclusion that have effect into other areas of people’s
lives, as, for example, in designing and supporting for
voluntary activities, which fosters social skills, civic
culture and community cohesion.
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12. Interventions to increase Social Inclusion
The literature on promotion social inclusion focuses
on interventions designed to build social capital, promote
community wellbeing, and address social exclusion. The
followings are examples of such interventions:
1. School-based programs for wellbeing
2. Social support
3. Volunteering
4. Media campaigns
5. Community arts programs
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13. School-based Programs for Wellbeing
Much of this work is based on the concept of health
promoting schools:
1. Strengthening life skills,
2. Fostering a supportive school environment
3. Encouraging partnerships between school and
community.
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14. Volunteering and Social Support
Volunteering provides structured opportunities for
people to do voluntary work in their community, which
is one aspect of civic participation and engagement.
Social support is regarded as a ‘psychosocial
intervention’, which is designed to modify behavior and
create supportive environments.
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15. Media Campaigns and Community Arts Programs
Media campaigns are a social marketing intervention at
the level of communities or populations. The media is a
tool for advocacy and for strengthening community
capacity and awareness.
Community-based arts projects and initiatives are
basically concerned with community participation. They
are also an expression of civic participation.
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16. The Value of Participation
Encouraging participation in community activities has
become a concern of public policy because it is thought
to bring many individual, community, and economic
benefits.
1. increase individuals’ personal development;
2. attract people who otherwise might not be attracted
to participate in community activities;
3. improve an area’s image;
4. attract economic investment;
5. help in the process of community development; and
6. lead to training and employment.
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17. London Active Communities
http://www.activecommunities.org.uk/
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18. Conclusion
The final paper is intended to highlight some of the main
conceptual, contextual and policy issues surrounding
social inclusion.
It is likely to raise more questions than answers on the
role of arts and culture in promoting social cohesion in
the city.
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19. thank you
bedankt
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