Art Beyond Aesthetics… : Exploration of Social Cohesion through ÖsterängensKonsthall’s Initiatives

SummaryThis study investigates the contributions of Österängens Konsthall to social cohesion withinthe Jönköping community, focusing on fostering a sense of belonging and encouragingparticipation. The research applies Jenson’s (1998) framework on social cohesion,emphasizing the dimensions of participation and sense of belonging. It investigates thecentral research question – In what ways do Österängens Konsthall's initiatives seek tocontribute to social cohesion within the Jönköping community, in terms of fostering a senseof belonging and participation?A qualitative approach involves in-depth semi-structured interviews with therepresentatives of Österängens Konsthall and provides insights into the initiatives andstrategies used by the institution.The findings highlight that Österängens Konsthall seeks to play an important role inenhancing community involvement, participation and fostering a sense of belonging throughdifferent initiatives, including public art projects, exhibitions, workshops, and communitygarden activities. These initiatives are thoughtfully tailored, considering the local contextand the needs of diverse communities while promoting environmental awareness andcommunity pride.However, the study also identified challenges, including resource constraints, highresidential mobility within the area, and the absence of formal strategic documents andevaluation mechanisms. The research emphasizes the importance of understandingcommunity perspectives and recommends future studies focus on learning insights fromÖsterängens Konsthall beneficiaries.Overall, research provides valuable insights into understanding the role of culturalinstitutions and possible ways they can be empowered to enhance the social cohesion process.