More than a Wall

Conținut

Is graffiti always vandalism?What if a painting on a wall could make people stop, smile, think, or even start a conversation?
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Banksy, Love is in the Air. Source: https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/contemporary-art-evening-auction/love-is-in-the-air-2?locale=en﻿
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Every day we walk past walls, buildings and empty spaces without noticing them. But artists see something different—they see stories waiting to be told.
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Street art is much more than colourful murals or graffiti. It can celebrate local history, bring neighbours together, brighten forgotten places and inspire people to see their surroundings differently.
In this interactive playlist you'll discover how artists transform ordinary spaces into meaningful places through videos, creative challenges, games and real-world activities.
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You'll learn how to:
discover different forms of street art
understand the message behind murals
observe your surroundings with fresh eyes
create your own visual story
explore how art can connect people and communities
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By the end of this playlist, you won't just look at walls—you'll look at your whole neighbourhood differently.
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This activity was inspired by the PASS – Pass the Street (Art), Shake the Hand, which explores street art, creativity, community engagement, and the skills needed to develop and promote artistic projects. If you'd like to continue your learning, discover more topics including mural design, artistic techniques, community collaboration, digital storytelling, project management, and funding opportunities for street artists.
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Explore the PASS project and Curriculum: https://pass-streetart.org/curriculum/2-you-as-a-street-artist-2/﻿
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Who created this resource?
The PASS – Pass the Street (Art), Shake the Hand project is a European cooperation initiative promoting social inclusion, intercultural dialogue, and active citizenship through street art and participatory cultural activities. The project was implemented by Connect International (Belgium), TiPovej! Institute (Slovenia), Mladi zmaji Public Institute (Slovenia), Association BUM (Serbia), and Interkultura (North Macedonia), and was co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.
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The playlist was created by TiPovej! Institute as a follow-up educational resource to extend the project's impact beyond the project activities. It provides freely accessible learning materials that showcase the PASS methodology, inspire reflection on the role of street art in building inclusive communities, and support youth workers, educators, artists, and community practitioners in adapting similar participatory approaches in their own work.
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Hidden Stories

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45minute

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Transform the Space

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Art Connects Us

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45minute

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Conținut

Can art bring strangers together?Throughout history, public art has helped people celebrate local identity, share stories and create spaces where everyone feels welcome.
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In this activity you'll explore how creative projects encourage cooperation, dialogue and belonging.
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Case Study: When Art Builds Community﻿
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Boa Mistura (Spain). Source: https://elpais.com/ccaa/2018/09/13/madrid/1536855698_995376.html?outputType=amp&utm_source﻿
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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Explain your choice.
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The Village of Arts and Humanities (USA). Source: https://muralarts.org/﻿
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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?"
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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.
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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.
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Explore more projects of The Village of Arts and Humanities here: https://muralarts.org/﻿
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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. 
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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?
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And write down under task 3. 
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COMMUNITY WORK in City of Belonging﻿
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Artist: Rosalie Buchtal, Klara Debeljak, Fedja Šičarov
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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.
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The PASS Festival in BAZA, Ljubljana, 2026. Collaboration between artist, migrants and locals  
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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?
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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/﻿
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Every mural, every creative space, and every community project begins with one simple idea. Could yours be next?

Obțineți insigna de activitate

PASS Ambassador Obțineți această insignă

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

You have to finish all tasks to get the badge

Tasks

Task no.1