At the School of Arts, Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), we view cultural and creative spaces as essential Third Places that foster social bonds through informal encounters, artistic exchange, and community participation. Our approach, outlined in the framework of “Infection, Participation and Informality” adopted since 2018, transforms the university into a hub where students, artists and the public “meet” new ideas and co-create.
A prime example is our Cultural Programme and artistic residencies, which integrate exhibitions, workshops and informal tutoring sessions open to the broader artistic community. These initiatives encourage critical artistic practice by “infecting” participants with diverse aesthetic and societal forms in a safe, debate-driven environment, building trust and collective ownership.
However, we acknowledge tensions: such spaces can exclude those facing barriers like digital access or unfamiliarity with informal formats. We counter this with flexible, project-based methodologies that prioritise inclusivity and broad engagement.
This model demonstrates how creative spaces can nurture belonging and innovation.
Organisation: School of Arts, Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP)
Relevant links: artes.ucp.pt | Article: Infection, Participation and Informality (http://hdl.handle.net/10400.14/31540)
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