Newcomer Integration and Adaptation through Artistic Urban Initiatives: the case of Art for All of Globe Aroma

The thesis investigates the mediation and facilitation of newcomers' integration and adaptation through artistic urban initiatives, uncovering the complexities of such a process, as well as attempting to measure the degree of individual integration. The case of Art for All, the project managed by a non-profit organisation Globe Aroma, based in Brussels, becomes the focal point of the thesis, providing a vibrant illustration to the socio-cultural benefits that artistic initiatives can bring for vulnerable social groups. The thesis utilises participant observations and adopts a Participatory Action Research framework to empower and foster the community members’ involvement. Through theory and literature review such concepts as sense of belonging, cognitive geography and social capital are outlined and used as a comprehensive framework for the empirical investigation. As a result, after four months a case study is completed, and a series of collaborative ethnographic Art for All diaries are created. In turn, the diaries not only allow individuals to reflect and share their impressions of the city, cultural activities, Globe Aroma, and other personal experiences, but also showcase the benefits that artistic urban initiatives are able to bring.