--- title: Cultural participation type: taxonomy_archive taxonomy: post_tag slug: cultural-participation term_id: 532 permalink: "https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/tag/cultural-participation/" post_count: 10 --- # Cultural participation Posts in this archive: 10 - [How Hamburg is decolonising its neighbourhoods and institutions](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/decolonisation-how-hamburg-is-decolonising-its-neighbourhoods-and-institutions.md) — In 2024, Hamburg launched 'Decolonise Hamburg!', a citywide decolonisation strategy involving civil society, institutions, and government. It reappraises colonial history through research, education, and cultural participation, empowering BIPoC communities and establishing postcolonial remembrance in public space. Initiatives include renaming colonial street names, restituting looted artefacts, and creating transnational networks. The strategy serves as a model for cities seeking inclusive, historically grounded, and participatory cultural transformation. - [Oral History: Preserving Lisbon’s collective memory through Memórias de Lisboa](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/memorias-de-lisboa-programme.md) — Lisbon City Council's Memórias de Lisboa (Memories of Lisbon) programme is a community-based cultural initiative dedicated to collecting, preserving and promoting the collective memory of Lisbon’s residents. More than 500 residents across different districts of Lisbon have taken part since 2015. - [Inclusive Public Art: Los Angeles’ Public Artists in Development programme for underrepresented artists ](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/los-angeles-county-public-artists-in-development.md) — In 2023, Los Angeles County’s Civic Art Division launched Public Artists in Development (PAiD), a new initiative funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Through funding, apprenticeships and professional development, it directly addresses the lack of equitable representation in public art by investing in the participation of underrepresented artists – including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, self-taught, and emerging artists. It offers a replicable model to diversify and democratise access to public commissions. - [Creative Strategists: Integrating artist residencies into Los Angeles County governance and initiatives](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/los-angeles-creative-strategist-programme.md) — Los Angeles County's Creative Strategist Programme embeds artists within government departments to address civic challenges through creative strategies. Since 2018, 12 artists have collaborated with various departments, enhancing public engagement, cultural participation, and equity. Their work demonstrates the value of integrating arts into governance, fostering innovation, and promoting inclusive policies that reflect the diverse communities of Los Angeles County. - [Culture for All: Expanding access to culture in Zürich](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/transformation-grants-for-cultural-participation.md) — Launched in 2024, Zürich’s Transformation Grants for Cultural Participation support cultural institutions in removing barriers to access and embedding diversity in their structures. Funded jointly by the City and Canton, the CHF 5 million programme offers phased support, from analysis to implementation, and requires partnerships with civil society organisations to ensure authentic inclusion. By focusing on organisational change rather than artistic output, the initiative aims to create long-term, sustainable cultural spaces that reflect and serve Zürich’s diverse population. - [Culture and collaboration in Cologne’s meanwhile spaces](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/cologne-meanwhile-spaces-cultural-transformation.md) — In Cologne’s city centre, culture is being tested as a catalyst for urban revival. Launched in 2024, an innovative collaboration between Cultural Space Management and TH Köln University is transforming three vacant retail units near Schildergasse and Hohe Straße into vibrant “meanwhile spaces.” By curating cultural pop-ups, performances, and community-led interventions, the project explores how temporary uses can attract new audiences, extend city life beyond retail hours, and foster social diversity. Through this living laboratory, Cologne is reimagining how culture can drive the renewal of central urban spaces in transition. - [Public Art: Inaugural Abu Dhabi Biennial explores relationship between public life and culture](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/public-art-abu-dhabi-biennial.md) — From November 2024 to April 2025, the inaugural Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial “Place Matters” explored the evolving concept of public space in Abu Dhabi through the lens of four main factors: environment, community, urbanity, and indigeneity. Featuring over 70 site-specific art installations by UAE and international artists, this public art strategy transformed Abu Dhabi into an emirate-wide celebration of art, culture, and community, while encouraging cultural participation. - [Art Everywhere: Cologne’s advertising pillars turned into open-air art museum](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/art-on-cologne-advertising-pillars.md) - [How Cologne used culture to revive Neumarkt Square](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/cologne-cultural-activation-of-neumarkt-square.md) — Once Cologne’s historic Neumarkt square was better known for decline than community. In 2023, the city launched Take a Seat—a cultural programme combining temporary architecture, performances, and community co-creation—to reclaim the square as a safe, vibrant civic space. Over two summer months, Neumarkt was transformed into a hub of cultural life, offering a model for how cities can use culture to spark urban renewal. - [Cultural Participation: How the London Borough of Culture made art accessible to all ](https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/city-project/waltham-forest-london-borough-of-culture.md) — The Mayor’s London Borough of Culture programme offers a borough of the capital £1.35 million to stage a year of cultural initiatives and better integrate culture in their borough. Waltham Forest was the first ever London Borough of Culture in 2019. After 1,000 events that attracted 500,000 people and £4.1 million locally, the borough has created a new Creative Enterprise Zone for artists and a new Cultural Quarter for visitors.