Community-based Occupational Therapy for the promotion of art and culture: reflections from the project Tienda Cultural

Abstract

This article presents the university extension project “Cultural Store: an open window for art, science, and citizenship” and the reflections derived from its implementation. Based on Occupational Therapy’s ethical and political commitment, the objectives were to promote accessibility, citizenship, and socio-cultural participation through artistic, cul- tural and educational activities. The project was an occupational therapy practice within a cultural environment from a critical community perspective, committed to social trans- formation. Cultural management was coordinated between transdisciplinary teams and communities, and the cultural programming was carried out in peripheral areas from a mid-sized Brazilian city. The programming included socio-cultural and educational wor- kshops, exhibitions, cinema, shows with artists, and cultural productions focused on each community’s demands, interests, and artistic production. The results generated reflections on culture as a right, the role of community and cultural Occupational Therapy, and the social function of the public university. Occupational Therapy and cultural activity can contribute to promote cultural diversity, recognition, and access. They also expand social participation and citizenship for communities experiencing exclusion and unequal pro- cesses, by intimately collaborating with, for, and within them.