Art as Social Practice: Cultural Production and Social Engagement

Abstract

Art as social practice represents a paradigm shift from art as an autonomous aesthetic object to art as a participatory, relational, and socially embedded process. Emerging from critical art movements of the late twentieth century, socially engaged art foregrounds collaboration, dialogue, and community involvement as central to cultural production. This article examines art as social practice through an Arts and Humanities lens, exploring its theoretical foundations, modes of engagement, ethical challenges, and transformative potential. By analyzing how artistic practices intervene in social realities, foster collective agency, and reconfigure public spaces, the study argues that art as social practice plays a vital role in democratic participation, cultural sustainability, and social change.