KUULTO (Activating cultural participation in local communities) action research was carried out by the University of Jyväskylä in 2012–2015 and the first phase was financed by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. KUULTO action research comprises 22 case studies of participative cultural activities which took place across 44 Finnish municipalities.

The aim of KUULTO Action Research was to combat cultural inequalities by increasing cultural participation in localities where the level of municipal cultural funding was low and where other barriers existed. In each area, a working group was established which included artists, local cultural organizations, local government representatives, researchers and experts who collaborated in devising and implementing local cultural activities.

Cooperation was encouraged between the municipal cultural administration and other municipal administration sectors (social and health, youth, sports, library, basic education in arts etc.); between different municipalities; between municipalities and art and cultural institutions; and between the public and third and/or private sector.

This report examines the type of actions/solutions devised and implemented by the local working groups in their efforts to remove barriers to participation and to increase the opportunities of local residents to take part in cultural activities. Secondly, the publication analyses what kinds of methods and (sustainable) practices were created to activate the local residents to participate in the actions and the related decision making. Thirdly, the publication examines the policy implications resulting from the findings of particular KUULTO cases. The results are grounded in the experiences of the communities involved.

Kangas A. (2017). Removing Barriers – Participative and Collaborative Cultural Activities in KUULTO Action Research. Helsinki: Center for Cultural Policy Research