And Towns: A Comparative European Study

We envisage a collaborative project examining how cultural and creative practice functions as civic and social infrastructure within towns, cities, and regions undergoing economic and social transition. Building on the And Towns programme and the LUCIA Fellowship, the project would investigate how cultural heritage, contemporary creative practice, and the visual arts shape place identity, participation, and wellbeing, while also informing new models of local governance and social innovation.

The project would combine comparative case studies across European regions with creative and participatory research methods, policy co-design, and impact-oriented evaluation frameworks. A central aim would be to develop transferable methodologies and practical tools enabling local authorities, cultural organisations, and community partners to embed culture within long-term strategies for inclusive growth, health, and democratic renewal.