Participatory Art and Co-creation Methodology in the “Viale delle Metamorfosi” Project

The complex nature of social inequalities determined by top-down urban planning choices leads the new urban regeneration to new cultural strategies. Various artistic and social projects have seen the light in Italy and Europe, bringing a new democratic way of producing culture. Artists and cultural planners work collectively as ‘territory entrepreneurs’ whose sole purpose is to connect people and create community processes. Art disciplines play a social and public role, activating collaborative decision-making processes and experimenting with new power systems. Starting with the concept of community art from the previous century, this paper aims to investigate how art is increasingly becoming part of local regeneration processes. The case of the project Viale delle Metamorfosi - Art makes its way, in the eastern suburbs of Naples (Italy), is presented here as an example of innovation through the application of a co-creation methodological process, integrating participatory art and informal education. The most evident results, evaluated in a step-by-step approach in relation to the activities conducted, highlight the importance of multi-dimensional assessment in this type of process, able to mobilize realities and artists to explore new spatial participation opportunities and make it a practice of socio-cultural innovation.