Our Unique Approach
Social art is a creative practice designed to inspire social change by actively involving communities in the artistic process. It emphasizes addressing social issues, fostering dialogue, and encouraging collaboration among participants. Social art utilizes various art forms, including visual arts, theatre and music, to raise awareness, promote empathy, and empower individuals to take collective action for positive social transformation.
In social art, participants are central to the creative process, with the focus on their engagement rather than the final outcome. The goal is to work together, making the process of creation as important as the result. Co-design and co-creation play a crucial role in this practice, breaking down social, sectoral, and hierarchical barriers to build collective intelligence. This approach ensures that activities, processes, and products are created for, with and the involved groups.
For example, rather than simply hiring an artist to paint a mural, social art might involve an artist leading a group , such as teenagers or young mothers in a creative mural project. The participants collaboratively design and create the mural, fostering a sense of ownership and making the project more sustainable and impactful. Social art is thus a powerful tool for driving social change.
One Drop Foundation's Social Art for Behaviour Change™ (SABC) is an evolving methodology that inspires and sustains positive change globally. By co-creating multisensory and participatory experiences with communities, partners and artists, SABC addresses water, hygiene and sanitation needs. These experiences challenge social norms, raise awareness, and foster engagement, driving individual and collective action for lasting impact.
During the mural process in Inguapí la Ceiba community, Leaders of Change received information and tools that allowed them to collectively identify and select the least practiced healthy habit in their community.
During the mural process in Inguapí la Ceiba community, Leaders of Change received information and tools that allowed them to collectively identify and select the least practiced healthy habit in their community.
With this information and based on drawings people made, a mural was proposed to address hand washing with running water and soap, after using the bathroom, before eating and before preparing food, with the intention that this practice becomes a habit in family life.
Leaders of Change designed sketches during the workshop, which were incorporated into the mural, ensuring the community can remember and practice proper hand hygiene through engaging visual reminders.
The mural implementation workshops involved mainly children between the ages of 7 and 12 and adults between the ages of 35 and 50. The mural is an opportunity to mobilize everyone to wash their hands with positive messages
The One Drop Foundation is pleased to offer our Social Art for Behaviour Change services. Discover how we can help you achieve your goals efficiently and enjoyably.