The Cultural Review

Civic Engagement

2 articles

Diverse community members collaborating on a large-scale public art installation, painting murals and interacting with sculptural elements in a bustling city square.
Art

What Is Social Practice Art? A Comprehensive Guide to Community-Engaged Creativity

Social practice art uses human relationships as its primary material, moving creativity out of galleries and into public life. This guide explores its principles, impact, and growing importance in contemporary culture.

Matteo Ricci·April 6, 2026
A diverse group of community members collaboratively painting a large, colorful mural, with subtle corporate branding subtly integrated into the artwork, symbolizing the commercialization of public art.
Culture

Beyond the Gift Shop: Rescuing Community Art from Commercialization

The increasing commercialization of local community art initiatives risks diluting their original purpose of fostering genuine cultural engagement and accessibility. This shift transforms public art from civic commons to retail space, replacing shared experience with transactional logic.

Eleanor Voss·April 3, 2026