From vandalism to legitimate art: Lisbon’s inspiring transformation

The Purpose

World cities now increasingly recognize urban art as both artistically valid and a boost to their cultural economies, especially as it lends itself particularly well to being shared by young people on social media. This recognition has been shown through policies aimed at protecting existing street art and creating spaces for new art.

The Challenge

The challenge of the project was to combat vandalism and provide a legal, structured space for graffiti artists while promoting street art as a form of creative expression.

Urban Art Gallery has also partnered with the Google Art Project, involving 30 institutions from 15 countries dedicated to urban art.

The Solution

Urban Art Gallery is a citywide project promoting graffiti and street art in Lisbon. Organized by the Department of Cultural Heritage of Lisbon City Hall, it began in the city’s Bairro Alto neighbourhood following a drive to clean graffiti from buildings. A set of panels was installed in Calçada da Glória as an exhibition space, providing a legal and structured venue for graffiti artists.

The project’s key focus is the conception and curatorship of urban art projects, including creating and administering proposals for new projects, identifying new project sites, and raising public awareness and engagement. Publicity campaigns have promoted street art through various media platforms to diverse audiences. Guided visits and workshops have been designed for people of different ages, including those from low-income backgrounds. The project also supports academic studies, research and publications around the subject of urban art.

The Impact

The project has been highly successful in encouraging urban art collaborations across the public and private sectors. Initiatives like ‘Reciclar o Olhar’ and ‘Lata 65’ engage people of all ages, with or without previous artistic experience, in urban art projects. The MURO Festival brings street art to districts away from the city centre, revitalizing neglected areas. Urban Art Gallery has also partnered with the Google Art Project, involving 30 institutions from 15 countries dedicated to urban art.

In the long term, Urban Art Gallery aims to continue expanding street art’s presence throughout the city, providing more spaces for street artists to work, and raising the profile of street art internationally through collaborations with urban arts projects across Europe.

Source: World Cities Culture Report 2022

Images Courtesy © City of Lisbon