Conference: From Stage to State - The Role of Art in Shaping Democratic Spaces

Program

The full program of the conference will be published in the coming weeks. The conference will also include opportunities for informal exchange, including:

• A conference dinner (10 June)
• Optional cultural activities in Kraków (details to follow)

Publication Opportunities

A selection of papers may be considered for publication in a special journal issue and/or edited volume associated with the conference themes. Further details regarding publication formats, review processes, and timelines will be provided after the conference.

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CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

We are delighted to invite submissions for the International Conference on Grassroots Culture, Arts, and Cultural Spaces for Political Participation and Expression in a Resilient Europe, interdisciplinary forum bringing together scholars, researchers, and practitioners committed to exploring the transformative role of grassroots arts and culture in strengthening democratic societies.
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Hosted in the historic and culturally rich city of Kraków, the conference offers a unique opportunity to participate in a vibrant environment dedicated to critical reflection, empirical investigation, and creative dialogue. We seek contributions that probe how diverse artistic and cultural practices – ranging from activism and civic engagement to digital creativity and community-based art – can promote inclusive political participation, foster social cohesion, and build democratic resilience in an increasingly complex world.

We welcome a broad spectrum of submissions, embracing various disciplines, methodologies, and theoretical frameworks. Whether your work employs qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method approaches, we invite innovative ideas, empirical case studies, and conceptual debates that address pressing political and cultural issues. Particularly encouraged are proposals that challenge existing paradigms, introduce novel perspectives, or demonstrate the potential of arts and culture to serve as catalysts for social change.
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This conference aims to facilitate meaningful dialogue between diverse voices and to foster collaborations that can influence policy, inspire new research, and contribute to a more inclusive understanding of democracy. Your participation will be instrumental in shaping a forward-looking conversation on the intersections of art, culture, and democratic life.
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We look forward to receiving your submissions and to welcoming you to Kraków for an inspiring exchange of ideas!
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We welcome abstract submissions for oral presentations, artistic reflections, and theoretically informed case studies that engage critically with the role of grassroots cultural initiatives in shaping democratic participation, community empowerment, and resilient public spheres. Types of submissions may include oral presentations, posters, or artistic projects, including but not limited to films, paintings, performances, and installations.
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CONFERENCE THEMES

The conference will be organized around six thematic streams. Participants are invited to submit abstracts that align with one (but not limited to) of the following areas:
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Stream 1: A Time of Anger, a Time of Care. Feminist Artivism in the 21st Century

Stream chairs: Anna Góral, Ewa Bogacz-Wojtanowska, Marta Kudelska, Roksana Ulatowska, Aleksandra Powierska (Jagiellonian University).
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In the framework of the Democracy in Action project and its focus on the interplay between democracy, grassroots arts, and cultural spaces – both online and offline – this stream invites papers exploring feminist artistic and activist practices as agents of social and political transformation in the 21st century.
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We understand feminist artivism as a dynamic field of creative resistance and care that challenges patriarchal power structures while advocating for justice, equality, and inclusivity. Feminist artists and activists mobilize art to foster solidarity, reclaim public and digital spaces, and reshape cultural narratives around gender, embodiment, and intersectionality.
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This stream aims to illuminate the diverse strategies through which women-led initiatives translate artistic expression into civic engagement and policy influence. We are interested in how artivism negotiates the tensions between anger and care, protest and healing, visibility and vulnerability – foregrounding the emotional and relational dimensions of political struggle.
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We welcome theoretical, methodological, and practice-based contributions that address feminist artivism in both local and transnational contexts.

Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

• Feminist artivism as a form of democratic participation and civic literacy.

• Art, affect, and care as tools of feminist resistance.
• Intersectional and decolonial perspectives on contemporary feminist movements.
• Artistic practices that reclaim public and digital spaces for gender equality.
• The politics of visibility, embodiment, and performance in feminist activism.
• Feminist networks, collectives, and transnational solidarities.
• Feminist interventions in cultural institutions, media, and policy-making.

This stream seeks to highlight the power of feminist artivism not only as a mode of critique, but also as a form of creative world-making that reimagines democracy through care, collaboration, and embodied agency.
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Stream 2: Nightivism and the Politics of Nightlife

Stream chairs: Sara Brandellero, Kamila Krakowska Rodrigues, Sini Hassinen (Leiden University).
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In the context of the Democracy in Action project and its focus on the nexus between democracy and grassroots arts, culture and cultural spaces online and offline, we invite papers that reflect on the intersection of nightlife, activism and democracy, which we conceptualize through the notion of Nightivism.
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Our focus on Nightivism aims to give prominence to a significant, yet so far understudied, dimension of nighttime culture: its role in fostering democratic values, such as equality, freedom of expression, inclusivity – all of which are crucial to the existence of a healthy civil society. Research has identified the role of grassroots with a strong arts and cultural component in contributing towards increased civic literacy, and we contend that it is important to zoom in on the nighttime dimension, which remains something of a blind spot in current research. In our reasoning, we draw attention, for instance, to the importance of nightlife for the self-expression of LGBTI+ people, who are traditionally the target of discrimination and suffer underrepresentation in political life. Nighttime culture is one area in which LGBTI+ people often feel most free to express their identity in their daily lives, something which amounts to political act, especially in contexts of sexual persecution. This represents one important dimension of the often-overlooked potential of nighttime arts, culture and cultural spaces for citizens’ expression of democratic values.  
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We invite papers on the question of Nightivism in relation to nightlife understood in broad terms. Papers may wish to focus on club culture, traditionally associated with urban nightlife, but we welcome contributions that explore broader dimensions of arts and cultural activities ‘after hours’ (e.g. theatre performances; music venues etc.). This broad approach allows for a more democratic understanding of nightlife, that wishes to be more inclusive in terms of age, or cultural tastes, for instance. Papers can explore Nightivism in physical as well as digital spaces, including in immersive environments (Metaverse).

Topics covered can include, among others:

• Nighttime grassroot culture, arts, cultural spaces for diversity and inclusion and political expression.
• Nightivism among minoritized groups in grassroot contexts (e.g. migrant, racialized, women).
• Nightlife, joy, labour and politics.
• Play in nightlife culture in democratic/non-democratic settings – online and offline.
• Nighttime spaces as stages and laboratories for political experimentation, debate, expression and literacy.
• Methodologies for Nightivism research offline and online.
• People power and policy of nightlife, expressed in arts and culture and related spaces.

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Stream 3: Youth, Democracy, and a Culture of/for Participation

Stream chairs: Paola Borrione, Giulia Avanza, Matilde Ferrero (Fondazione Santagata per l’Economia della Cultura).
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In the context of the Democracy in Action project and its focus on the relationship between democracy, grassroots arts, and cultural participation, this stream explores how young people engage with and reshape democratic culture through artistic and cultural practices.
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Democracy today can no longer be understood solely as an institutional framework; it must also be seen as a lived and evolving culture of participation, rooted in everyday practices, values, and forms of expression. Within this perspective, grassroots arts and cultural organisations play a crucial role in creating environments where young people can experiment with new modes of civic engagement, collective creativity, and social responsibility.
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This stream seeks to highlight how cultural participation empowers youth as agents of democratic renewal – both in established democracies and in contexts marked by democratic deficits, authoritarian tendencies, or restricted civic freedoms. By focusing on the intersections between youth, culture, and democracy, we aim to illuminate how art and creativity become tools for dialogue, empowerment, and transformation.
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We welcome conceptual, empirical, and practice-based contributions that address these issues in diverse cultural, social, and political settings.

Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

• Theoretical reflections on fostering democratic participation among youth through arts and culture.
• Tools, practices, and resources used by grassroots cultural organisations to promote civic engagement among young people.
• Physical and digital spaces for participatory cultural practices and youth-led initiatives.
• Methodologies for assessing the democratic impact of grassroots arts and cultural projects on young people.
• Youth empowerment through cultural participation in non-democratic or authoritarian contexts.
• Comparative perspectives on youth-driven cultural movements and their role in strengthening democratic cultures.

This stream aims to shed light on how the arts and culture can cultivate a generation of active, creative, and responsible citizens – capable of imagining and enacting more inclusive and participatory democracies.

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Stream 4: Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Inclusion

Stream chairs: Jessica Falconi, Iolanda Évora (CEsA – Centre for African and Development Studies, University of Lisbon, Portugal).
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In the framework of the Democracy in Action project and its focus on the relationship between democracy, arts, and grassroots cultural participation, this stream explores how artistic and cultural practices engage with issues of race, ethnicity, and inclusion in contemporary societies.
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In an increasingly globalized world, racial and ethnic diversity is a defining feature of our social fabric. Yet, it often becomes the target of polarizing discourses and exclusionary politics, particularly in relation to migration, integration, and national identity. Across Europe and beyond, structural racism and the failure to recognize the rights and contributions of citizens of non-European origins continue to shape inequalities and hinder full democratic participation.
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This stream seeks to foreground the role of the arts and culture in challenging systemic racism, contesting dominant narratives, and advancing inclusive forms of citizenship and representation. We are especially interested in grassroots artistic and cultural initiatives that foster intercultural dialogue, build solidarity, and empower racialized and marginalized communities through creative expression and collective action.
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We welcome conceptual, empirical, and comparative contributions that engage with both local and transnational perspectives.

Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

• Artistic and cultural practices as forms of anti-racist and decolonial activism.
• Grassroots cultural associations and neighbourhood initiatives promoting intercultural dialogue and civic participation.
• Digital and online platforms (e.g. community radio, social media, independent magazines) as tools for empowerment, visibility, and activism.
• Representation and self-representation of racialized and ethnic minority groups in arts and culture.
• Cultural policy, institutional inclusion, and the democratization of cultural spaces.
• Comparative case studies exploring the link between cultural action, racial justice, and political participation in European and non-European contexts.
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This stream aims to highlight the transformative potential of arts and culture in shaping more inclusive democracies – where diversity is not only acknowledged but actively celebrated as a cornerstone of civic and cultural life.
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Stream 5: Post-digital Practices of Democratic Participation

Stream chairs: Matthias Quent, Nica Junker (Institut für demokratische Kultur, HS Magdeburg-Stendal).
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From street murals to social media campaigns, creative spaces – both physical and virtual – play a crucial role in shaping democratic discourse. Located at the intersection of activism, storytelling and participation, these spaces promote inclusive forms of civic engagement. In the post-digital age, artistic and cultural activism is unfolding in several areas: from social networks to immersive experiences in metaverse and VR environments to real-life actions.
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The post-digital state refers to a phase of socio-technological development in which digital technologies are no longer perceived as novel, but are fully embedded and ubiquitous in everyday life, work and culture. Instead of asking if or when digitization should take place, post-digital societies focus on how to organize and reflect on the interplay between digital and analogue practices. The boundaries between online and offline, digital and physical have become fluid, creating hybrid practice constellations that merge disciplines and platforms.
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Post-digital practices thus offer opportunities for co-creation and democratic empowerment, but also pose critical challenges. The use of virtual environments, AI, and digital media remains largely unregulated, with political, psychological, legal, ethical, environmental, and health implications that require further consideration. As part of EU-Horizon project Democracy in Action, which explores the nexus of democracy, grassroots art, and cultural spaces, we invite reflection on how post-digital practices in social media, VR, and IRL (in real life) contexts can promote democratic participation.

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Stream 6: From Quantitative to Co-Creative Approaches: Exploring Civic Engagement through Artistic Methods

Stream chairs: Sylwia Wrona, Ewa Bogacz-Wojtanowska (Jagiellonian University).

As part of this stream, we invite researchers from diverse disciplines to share their critical insights and reflections on research methodologies related to art, activism, and participatory democracy. Our aim is to explore which methods currently dominate this field and to understand the factors contributing to their prominence. We also seek to identify the most suitable and effective approaches for capturing the intricate dynamics of civic engagement through artistic practices.
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We encourage discussions on innovative, participatory, and interdisciplinary methods that can deepen our understanding of how art functions as a catalyst for social change, fosters public dialogue, and empowers communities. Your contributions will help develop a richer, more nuanced comprehension of the methodological landscape, paving the way for future research that is impactful, inclusive, and rooted in real-world engagement. Possible topics include, but are not limited to:
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• Research Creation and Art-Based Research (ABR): Combines artistic practices with systematic inquiry.
• Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR): Engages communities as active partners in the research process.
• Art and Social Practice Residency Programs: Immersive, long-term projects where artists work directly with marginalized or underserved communities.
• Narrative, Storytelling, and Visual Arts: Utilizes storytelling, oral histories, and personal narratives as artistic forms.
• Ethnographic Fiction: Blends ethnography and fictional storytelling to explore cultural and social realities.
• Nethnography: Digital ethnography conducted primarily through online and social media platforms.

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SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Important Dates

• ‍Abstract submission deadline - 31 January 2026
• Notification of abstract acceptance - 28 February 2026
• Earlybird registration closes - 15 March 2026
• Final Author payment date - 10 April 2026
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Types of Submission

We welcome proposals for:

• Oral presentations
• Posters
• Artistic projects, including but not limited to films, paintings, performances, installations, and other creative formats.

Abstract Requirements

• Title of the abstract
• Length: 300–350 words
• Include the following details:
  • Author name(s)
  • Affiliation(s)
  • E-mail adres
  • Five keywords
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• Content Guidance: A conference abstract should include a concise summary of your research, typically covering the background, the problem or objective, your methodology, key results, and conclusions.
• Artistic projects: Technical needs (audio, projection, performance space) should be indicated in the submission form to allow proper arrangements.
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Send your abstract via the submission form: https://shorturl.at/SkhuQ


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PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

1. Location: Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Management and Social Communication Poland - https://wzks.uj.edu.pl/en_GB/start-en

2. Joining instructions: Registered participants will receive specific joining instructions three weeks before the conference. In the meantime, we hope you find the following, more general, Practical Information helpful.
3. Payment details: The conference fee is 150 EUR. This fee includes access to all conference sessions, the exhibition hall, and networking events, as well as conference materials (name badge, program, and attendee kit). Meals are included, including coffee breaks, lunches, and the conference dinner on 10 June 2026.
   1. Early Bird Registration Deadline: 15^th of March 2026
   2. Final Author Payment Deadline: 10th of April 2026
4. Accessibility: We are committed to ensuring that the conference is inclusive and accessible. Conference venues are wheelchair accessible, and support for additional accessibility needs can be arranged on request.
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Travel and Accommodation

Kraków is easily accessible by air via Kraków John Paul II International Airport (KRK), located approximately 20 minutes from the city center. The campus is well connected by public transport. A list of recommended accommodation options within walking or short tram distance to the venue will be made available on the conference website.
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Visa Support

Participants requiring a visa or official invitation letter to attend the conference may request one after their abstract has been accepted. Please contact the organizing committee at: artanddemocracy@uj.edu.pl

Contact

For any inquiries regarding the conference, abstract submissions, or participation requirements, please contact the Organizing Team at: artanddemocracy@uj.edu.pl
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University Information

Jagiellonian University (UJ), founded in 1364 by King Casimir III the Great, is Poland’s oldest and one of Europe’s most prestigious universities. Located in the historic city of Kraków, its campus combines Gothic and Renaissance landmarks – such as the Collegium Maius – with state-of-the-art research centers and modern academic facilities. The university comprises sixteen faculties, offering a wide range of programmes in Polish and English to over 35,000 students. UJ consistently ranks among the top 500–700 universities worldwide (ARWU, QS, THE) and holds memberships in leading international networks, including the Coimbra Group and Europaeum. Renowned for its research in the humanities, social sciences, medicine, and natural sciences, Jagiellonian University is also a participant in the “Excellence Initiative – Research University” programme, reaffirming its role as a leading center of innovation and academic excellence in Central Europe.
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Local Information

Kraków, Poland’s former royal capital and cultural heart, is a city where centuries of history meet vibrant modern life. Nestled on the banks of the Vistula River, its UNESCO-listed Old Town enchants visitors with the grand Market Square, St. Mary’s Basilica, and the historic Wawel Castle overlooking the city. Beyond its medieval charm, Kraków offers a thriving arts and café scene, bustling Kazimierz district known for its Jewish heritage, and a wealth of museums and galleries. The city also serves as a gateway to the Wieliczka Salt Mine and the Tatra Mountains. Blending Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture with contemporary energy, Kraków captivates travelers seeking culture, history, and authentic Polish atmosphere.

Code of Conduct

The organizers are committed to maintaining a respectful, safe, and inclusive environment for all participants. Harassment, discrimination, or disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated.

The conference is organized within the framework of the Democracy in Action project. Democracy in Action has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON-CL2-2024-DEMOCRACY-02 under grant agreement No. 101178843.


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