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Art Connects Us
Art Connects Us
Innhold
Can art bring strangers together?
Throughout history, public art has helped people celebrate local identity, share stories and create spaces where everyone feels welcome.
In this activity you'll explore how creative projects encourage cooperation, dialogue and belonging.
Case Study: When Art Builds Community
Boa Mistura (Spain). Source: https://elpais.com/ccaa/2018/09/13/madrid/1536855698_995376.html?outputType=amp&utm_source
Imagine living in a neighbourhood with empty walls, little colour, and few places where neighbours spend time together. The Spanish artist collective Boa Mistura believed that changing a wall could also help change how people feel about their community. But instead of designing murals alone, they invited local residents to become part of the creative process.
Before painting, the artists spent time getting to know the neighbourhood. They talked with residents, listened to their ideas, and asked what words, memories, or values best represented their community. Together, they chose themes and created artwork that reflected local identity.
The project was about much more than painting a mural. Throughout the process, neighbours met one another, exchanged ideas, worked as a team, and developed a stronger sense of belonging. The finished artwork became a symbol of the people who created it together—not just something to look at, but something they shared and cared for.
Boa Mistura believes that art can be a bridge between people, helping to transform public spaces while strengthening community connections. Their goal is not simply to decorate cities but to create places where people feel proud, connected, and inspired to continue improving their surroundings.
Think Like a Community Designer
After reading the case study, write your answers under Task 1.
- Why do you think Boa Mistura involved local residents instead of painting the mural alone?
- How might working together on a mural change relationships between neighbours?
- What do you think is more important: creating a beautiful mural or creating a stronger community? Explain your answer.
- Can you think of a place in your town or school that could benefit from a community art project? Why?
- If you could choose one word to represent your community, what would it be?
Explain your choice.
Not every community project begins with a mural. In Philadelphia (USA), artist Lily Yeh and local residents transformed abandoned lots into colourful gardens, mosaics, sculptures, and outdoor gathering spaces. Instead of asking, "What is missing?", they asked, "What could this place become?"
Children, neighbours, artists, and volunteers worked together to redesign forgotten spaces into places where people could meet, learn, play, and celebrate. Over time, creativity inspired more people to become involved, helping the neighbourhood feel more welcoming and connected.
This project reminds us that public art is not only about painting walls—it is about imagining new possibilities and creating spaces where communities can grow together.
Mini Quiz – The Village of Arts and Humanities
Ready for a quick challenge? Test what you've learned about The Village of Arts and Humanities. Click here to take the quiz.
Think About It
- What forgotten place in your community has potential?
- What would you add to make it more inviting?
- Who would you involve in the project?
And write down under task 3.
COMMUNITY WORK in City of Belonging
Artist: Rosalie Buchtal, Klara Debeljak, Fedja Šičarov
This mural was created during the PASS Festival in Ljubljana in June 2026. This artwork imagines a collectively authored, almostpsychedelic urban landscape in which migrants, residents,and community participants reclaim the city throughshared presence and expression. Fragmented citysurfaces, layered windows, open structures, andhanging-garden forms become spaces where experiencesof displacement, belonging, and everyday urbannegotiation can be inscribed into the visual fabric of themural. In this way, the city is presented not as fixed orneutral, but as something shaped by who is visible, who iswelcomed, and who is able to participate. At the center ofthe work is a response to gentrification, exclusionaryhousing dynamics, and unequal access to urban space. Themural addresses barriers that affect migrants and othermarginalized groups, while also challenging racism,xenophobia, and the assumption that some people have agreater right than others to occupy and shape the city. Byinviting participants to add text, drawings, andperspectives, the artwork turns public space into a sharedact of writing and reimagining. Rather than separatingmigrants from residents, the mural brings multipleviewpoints into one interconnected urban field. Throughcollective storytelling and participation, it proposes analternative vision of the city as inclusive, shared, andcontinuously rewritten by the people who live in it. Theresult is a city of belonging and coexistence, where diversevoices are not only represented, but actively involved inshaping the meaning of public space.
The PASS Festival in BAZA, Ljubljana, 2026. Collaboration between artist, migrants and locals
Your Turn to Make a Difference!
Throughout this playlist, you've discovered how street art can transform spaces, tell stories, and bring people together. Now it's your turn. Look around your school, neighbourhood, or local community.
- Is there an empty wall that could inspire people?
- Is there a forgotten space that could become more welcoming?
- What story would you like to tell through art?
- Who could you invite to create it with you?
Every great community project starts with one idea—and one person willing to take the first step. Share Your Vision. We'd love to see your ideas! Upload one of the following:
- A photo of a place you would like to transform.
- A sketch or digital design of your mural.
- A short description of your idea (100–200 words).
- A short video explaining how your artwork could benefit your community.
Want to Make Your Project a Reality?
Many successful community art projects began as simple ideas. If you would like to turn your concept into a real project, you may need support from your community—or even funding.
The PASS e-learning platform introduces several crowdfunding platforms that artists and community groups use to finance murals, workshops, festivals, and other creative initiatives. It also explains how to prepare a successful campaign, tell a compelling story, and engage supporters. Learn more about crowdfunding for community art projects in PASS E-learning – Crowdfunding. Explore these crowdfunding platforms featured in the PASS E-learning course and discover which one best suits your idea:
- Kickstarter – For creative projects such as murals, exhibitions, and public art initiatives.
- GoFundMe – Ideal for community-based and socially engaged projects.
- Indiegogo – Supports creative, cultural, and community initiatives with flexible funding options.
- Ko-fi – A simple platform for receiving one-time donations or ongoing support from your followers.
- Ulule – A European crowdfunding platform focused on art, culture, and social innovation.
- Patreon – Best for artists seeking long-term support through monthly memberships and exclusive content.
- ioby – Designed for community-led projects that improve public spaces and strengthen neighbourhoods.
Before you launch a campaign, remember these key steps:
- Define a clear goal and realistic budget.
- Tell a story that explains why your project matters.
- Involve your community from the beginning.
Share regular updates and celebrate progress together.
Find more guidelines here: https://pass-streetart.org/2-you-as-a-street-artist/2-8-funding-your-art-project/2-8-3-crowdfunding/
Every mural, every creative space, and every community project begins with one simple idea. Could yours be next?
Last ned aktivitetsmerke
PASS Ambassador Få dette merket
Congratulations! You have successfully completed Art Connects Us and earned the PASS Ambassador badge.
Throughout this activity, you discovered how street art can transform public spaces, strengthen communities, and inspire people to work together toward a shared vision.
By earning this badge, you demonstrated your ability to:
- understand how community art can create a sense of belonging,
- recognize the importance of collaboration in creative projects,
- explore real-life examples of community-led street art initiatives,
- reflect on how public spaces can be transformed through creativity,
- develop your own ideas for improving your local community through art,
- and take the first steps toward turning your creative vision into reality.
Through inspiring case studies, reflection activities, quizzes, and creative challenges, you explored how art can bring people together, encourage participation, and make neighbourhoods more welcoming and vibrant.
As a PASS Ambassador, you are now ready to see opportunities where others see empty spaces, inspire positive change through creativity, and encourage others to help shape stronger, more connected communities.
Du må fullføre alle oppgaver for å få dette merket
Oppgaver
Oppgavenr.1
Bevis bekreftet av: en aktivitetsarrangør
Task 1. Think Like a Community Designer
After reading the case study, write your answers.
- Why do you think Boa Mistura involved local residents instead of painting the mural alone?
- How might working together on a mural change relationships between neighbours?
- What do you think is more important: creating a beautiful mural or creating a stronger community? Explain your answer.
- Can you think of a place in your town or school that could benefit from a community art project? Why?
- If you could choose one word to represent your community, what would it be?
Explain your choice.
Oppgavenr.2
Bevis bekreftet av: en aktivitetsarrangør
Task 2. Mini Challenge
Work in pairs or small groups (Optional).
Choose one word that represents your class, school, or neighbourhood (for example: Hope, Friendship, Nature, Creativity, Future, Together).
Create a simple sketch showing how this word could become a mural that reflects your community.
Oppgavenr.3
Bevis bekreftet av: en aktivitetsarrangør
Task 3. Think About It
- What forgotten place in your community has potential?
- What would you add to make it more inviting?
- Who would you involve in the project?
And write down your answers.
Oppgavenr.4
Bevis bekreftet av: en aktivitetsarrangør
Task 4. Mini Quiz – The Village of Arts and Humanities
Explore The Village of Arts and Humanities on the internet. Test what you've learned about The Village of Arts and Humanities. Click here to take the quiz. Share the screenshot with the final result of quize.
Oppgavenr.5
Bevis bekreftet av: en aktivitetsarrangør
Task 5 . Share Your Vision
We'd love to see your ideas!Upload one of the following:
- A photo of a place you would like to transform.
- A sketch or digital design of your mural.
- A short description of your idea (100–200 words).
- A short video explaining how your artwork could benefit your community.
Arrangører
TiPovej!
Badge issuer recognized with
Brukt i spillelister
More than a Wall
TiPovej!Opprettet på Ljubljana City of Learning
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