ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the role of participation in socially engaged art, examining how it reshapes societal norms and fosters community connections. By analysing historical and theoretical foundations, along with practitioner narratives, the chapter reveals how participatory art practices promote emotional engagement, challenge power dynamics, and cultivate agency for social change. Drawing on sociological frameworks such as social capital, Freirean pedagogy, and feminist and queer theories, the chapter demonstrates how these practices enable dialogue, empower marginalised voices, and create collective identities. The findings emphasise socially engaged art's capacity to foster inclusivity and solidarity while challenging traditional hierarchies.
