Art as a Socio-educational Strategy for Youth at Risk of Social Exclusion
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17561/rtc.extra11.9922Keywords:
Socio-educational art, Social vulnerability, Teenagers, Artistic mediation, Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)Abstract
This article analyzes the role of art as a socio-educational tool in contexts of vulnerability, particularly with adolescents at risk of social exclusion. Drawing on a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, it reviews experiences of artistic mediation developed in NGO programs and community spaces, as well as in school and museum initiatives. The study argues that art, far from being merely a recreational resource, can become a process of identity construction, resilience, and social cohesion when grounded in critical, participatory, and context-sensitive methodologies. The main achievements identified include the strengthening of self-esteem, expressive capacity, and sense of belonging, along with the recognition of structural limitations such as volunteer turnover and the lack of specific methodological training. The findings point to the need to rethink the role of art in social intervention, promoting replicable models of artistic mediation that integrate participants’ voices, the cultural relevance of materials, and critical reflection as fundamental axes. Ultimately, the article proposes consolidating artistic practice as a driver of inclusion and community transformation, beyond the decorative or the merely playful.
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