Publication: Developing New Audiences in Challenging Urban Areas
The publication Developing New Audiences in Challenging Urban Environments was created by participants of the Active CITY(zens) project, implemented in 2023–2024 by the IZOLYATSIA Foundation in collaboration with Prague Quadrennial (Czech Republic), The Faculty of Things That Can’t Be Learned (North Macedonia), and Zentrum für Kunst und Urbanistik / Center for Art and Urbanistics (Germany).
This publication explores the experiences of four organizations that use urban intervention tools to engage new audiences. By employing the concept of “10 seconds, 10 minutes, 10 days, 10 years” the initiatives reimagine how art interacts with diverse communities. From ZK/U’s rooftop micro-performances to FRU’s restoration of brutalist landmarks in Skopje, each project demonstrates art’s power to inspire dialogue and foster civic engagement. Prague Quadrennial connects global talents with local spaces, while IZOLYATSIA uses culture to support those affected by war.
Together, these stories reveal the creative and practical strategies these organizations use to expand cultural access, strengthen community bonds, and transform public spaces into platforms for dialogue. Their work serves as both inspiration and a roadmap for rethinking how culture can engage, empower, and connect. These narratives remind us that audience development is not just about numbers—it’s about building connections that enrich lives and rethink the potential of public spaces.
Active CITY(zens) is a project co-funded by the Creative Europe program of the European Union.