Art as a bridge: Fostering civic education on borders

Organised in cooperation between THE CIVICS Innovation Hub, NorthWork Ireland, and Vienna Contemporary Art Space (VCAS), NECE Lab, “Art as a bridge: Fostering civic education on borders”, was a two-day collaborative exploration embracing the city of Vienna on 4-5 July. Through a series of discussions, workshops, and immersive experiences, civic educators illuminated the transformative power of art in cultivating civic consciousness, fostering empathy, and strengthening community ties despite both psychological and physical barriers still in place today. The group delved into the role of civic educators as intermediaries, using art as a conduit to navigate complex societal landscapes, forge connections, transcend differences, and nurture inclusive dialogues for a more cohesive and enlightened society. The event gathered civic educators from all over Europe with different backgrounds e.g. music, peace education, history education, art performance, sculpture, green literacy, and work with refugees.

Artmaking on borders

The first session, hosted by NorthWork Ireland, explored the Northern Ireland conflict between Catholics and Protestants, and the separation and discrimination still existing between the divided communities. Through its creative activities with children from both communities, NorthWork showcased how they use art as an available tool to reconcile, heal trauma, build connections, and create new peaceful realities. By incorporating natural materials in their workshops, NorthWork also highlight the importance of nature as a shared space and a common value of both divided communities. For example, water, traditionally a divisive border, is reinterpreted by NorthWork as a connector. A series of the NorthWork workshops in Northern Ireland was also supported by our Civic Innovation Fund (CIF).

Following this, the participants dived into the exploration of diverse arts of borders and their interconnection. Artistically mapping borders existing in political, cultural, geographical, personal, and psychological spheres, civic educators highlighted their multiple layers and diversity. The collaborative efforts of civic educators culminated in a global borders map, highlighting the interconnectedness of various types of borders.

Exploration of shifting borders

In the afternoon, participants of the Lab embarked on an exploration of cultural sites in the second district of Vienna facilitated by VCAS. The Borders Art Walk showcased diverse aspects of Austrian history reflected in its historical monuments and the shifting nature of geographical borders. The walk concluded in Augarten Park, where participants used wool and natural materials to recreate Austrian borders from different epochs, reflecting the fluidity and changing nature of borders.

Civic educators also had an opportunity to share and exchange the best practices and experiences connected to art and borders during a series of parallel sessions. Here are some of the insights:

Debating exhibitions – how to engage the audience

Lab of Change

“Role of the museum is to be a promotor of civic engagement on public issues”

During this session, participants discussed how to engage young visitors in museums using debate as a method to fuel the interest of school children, encourage them to think critically, and develop argumentation skills. Research from the Lab of Change showed that debates are highly effective in engaging young audiences in museums. By implementing non-traditional roles and methods, museums can become popular places of skill sharing and attract more visitors, engage with them better, and offer content crucial for civic education in different ways.

ConversArtion: Reimagining the transformation of education to achieve the SDGs through contemporary art

Catesco

This session created a dialogue on the purpose of education and its transformation for achieving the SDGs and building just, sustainable futures. It highlighted the power of art in showcasing the critical nature of global issues and the importance of achieving the SDGs. Participants learned to analyse art through three steps: sensory (emotions and feelings), plastic (materials), and conceptual (thoughts and questions). Following this, civic educators delved into the analysis of contemporary artworks connected with the concept of borders. Based on this analysis, they explored how modern education should be reimagined to achieve the SDGs. As a result, they developed a new vision of the teacher as a facilitator and an integral part of the class, emphasising the need to integrate diverse perspectives from around the world into the classroom.

Make burek, not war – graffiti on the war(s) of 1990s’ in Yugoslavia

Euroclio HIP BiH

The workshop analysed graffiti and murals from the early 21st century that depict the 1990s wars in the former Yugoslavia. Despite the wars ending nearly three decades ago, they remain prominent in public memory. Civic educators discovered that young people are using graffiti and murals to express their political opinions. These art forms are opening up space for constructive civic conversations about the effects of wars in post-conflict societies. Additionally, the session highlighted the delicate task of differentiating between war heroes and war criminals, emphasising that civic educators working in post-conflict societies must be careful to avoid actions or inactions that could be perceived as taking sides.

Social inclusion through music

El Sistema Greece

A seminar led by Giannis Ismirnioglou, violin and choir teacher at El Sistema Greece, explored how music can break down social and cultural barriers, fostering mutual understanding and empowering the youth. The session highlighted that music can serve as a tool for social inclusion, helping children and young people develop new skills and discover the power of teamwork and the joy of collaboration within multicultural environments. Additionally, during the session, it was pointed out that civic educators using the arts to work with children should always strive to involve them in shaping the agenda and activities. This approach gives children a sense of ownership, helping them feel more at ease and included.