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Artivism in Kenya: Bridging the Gap Between People and Policy Makers

Koleckova, Barbora LU (2024) MIDM19 20241
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Department of Human Geography
Abstract
The thesis provides an in-depth dive into the phenomena of artivism (combination of art and activism) in the context of Kenya for its utilization as a means of communication and social capital in addressing existing inequalities. The respective main research question narrates the study of how is artivism an opportunity for social justice, accompanied by three sub-questions to contextualize it. A conceptual framework is developed to position artivism in reaction to the existence of shrinking global space, exhaustion with democracy, and social injustice. Artivism is studied as a case study and knowledge is constructed through existing research, altogether with the key interviewees and during a focus group discussion. Ethnographic approaches... (More)
The thesis provides an in-depth dive into the phenomena of artivism (combination of art and activism) in the context of Kenya for its utilization as a means of communication and social capital in addressing existing inequalities. The respective main research question narrates the study of how is artivism an opportunity for social justice, accompanied by three sub-questions to contextualize it. A conceptual framework is developed to position artivism in reaction to the existence of shrinking global space, exhaustion with democracy, and social injustice. Artivism is studied as a case study and knowledge is constructed through existing research, altogether with the key interviewees and during a focus group discussion. Ethnographic approaches of participatory and non-participatory observations were also the main source of information due to data collection taking place in Kenya. The principal analysis and findings suggest that artivism is understood and exemplified as a means to access and advocate for social justice as well as to communicate and self-educate within communities. It is used for political engagement and to bridge the gap between people and policymakers, however, structural challenges such as inadequate funding halt artivism’s broader use, thus propositions on enabling environment are presented. (Less)
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author
Koleckova, Barbora LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Artivism, Kenya, activism, ethnography, social capital, inclusive development, international development, democratic gap, shrinking civic space, social justice, funding
language
English
id
9159289
date added to LUP
2024-07-24 12:04:34
date last changed
2024-07-24 12:04:34
@misc{9159289,
  abstract     = {{The thesis provides an in-depth dive into the phenomena of artivism (combination of art and activism) in the context of Kenya for its utilization as a means of communication and social capital in addressing existing inequalities. The respective main research question narrates the study of how is artivism an opportunity for social justice, accompanied by three sub-questions to contextualize it. A conceptual framework is developed to position artivism in reaction to the existence of shrinking global space, exhaustion with democracy, and social injustice. Artivism is studied as a case study and knowledge is constructed through existing research, altogether with the key interviewees and during a focus group discussion. Ethnographic approaches of participatory and non-participatory observations were also the main source of information due to data collection taking place in Kenya. The principal analysis and findings suggest that artivism is understood and exemplified as a means to access and advocate for social justice as well as to communicate and self-educate within communities. It is used for political engagement and to bridge the gap between people and policymakers, however, structural challenges such as inadequate funding halt artivism’s broader use, thus propositions on enabling environment are presented.}},
  author       = {{Koleckova, Barbora}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Artivism in Kenya: Bridging the Gap Between People and Policy Makers}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}