Participatory Art for Social
Impact (PASI) Framework
Transforming untold stories into powerful
narratives through art and culture.
Participatory Art for Social Impact (PASI) Framework
Transforming untold stories into powerful narratives through art and culture.
Participatory Art for Social
Impact (PASI) Framework
Transforming untold stories into powerful
narratives through art and culture.
Imagine your city as one where the voices of the marginalised ring louder. Their stories are recognised and lead to measurable change. The PASI Framework is your compass to make this imagination a reality. In today’s world with profound challenges of climate crises, inequitable growth, and demand for accountability, the PASI framework empowers change enablers like you to harness the power of art and culture with communities, to boldly surface their stories and lived realities. Facilitating a cascade of community resilience and connection that leads to action.
The PASI framework is an embodiment of the practice at Purpose India where we use art and culture to strengthen and amplify the collective voices of communities, to reframe narratives and drive meaningful change.
Imagine your city as one where the voices of the marginalised ring louder. Their stories are recognised and lead to measurable change. The PASI Framework is your compass to make this imagination a reality. In today’s world with profound challenges of climate crises, inequitable growth, and demand for accountability, the PASI framework empowers change enablers like you to harness the power of art and culture with communities, to boldly surface their stories and lived realities. Facilitating a cascade of community resilience and connection that leads to action.
The PASI framework is an embodiment of the practice at Purpose India where we use art and culture to strengthen and amplify the collective voices of communities, to reframe narratives and drive meaningful change.
We are sharing our insights and practices through this framework to support and amplify the work of those already driving meaningful change within communities. By harnessing the power of storytelling through art and culture, we aim to create a more enduring and transformative impact.
We are sharing our insights and practices through this framework to support and amplify the work of those already driving meaningful change within communities. By harnessing the power of storytelling through art and culture, we aim to create a more enduring and transformative impact.
What is Participatory Art for
Social Impact (PASI)?
What is Participatory Art for Social Impact (PASI)?
Participatory Art for Social Impact (PASI) transforms communities to active contributors, co-authors, and narrators of their own stories, empowering them to present their needs and aspirations through compelling art-based storytelling.
It’s not just about the art—it’s about what the art unlocks: a shared vision for change, a louder voice, and a deeper connection. The power of PASI lies in its ability to create lasting change, measured not just in outcomes, but in the collective empowerment and transformation it inspires within communities.
Participatory Art for Social Impact (PASI) transforms communities to active contributors, co-authors, and narrators of their own stories, empowering them to present their needs and aspirations through compelling art-based storytelling.
It’s not just about the art—it’s about what the art unlocks: a shared vision for change, a louder voice, and a deeper connection. The power of PASI lies in its ability to create lasting change, measured not just in outcomes, but in the collective empowerment and transformation it inspires within communities.
What is Participatory Art for
Social Impact (PASI)?
Participatory Art for Social Impact (PASI) transforms communities to active contributors, co-authors, and narrators of their own stories, empowering them to present their needs and aspirations through compelling art-based storytelling.
It’s not just about the art—it’s about what the art unlocks: a shared vision for change, a louder voice, and a deeper connection. The power of PASI lies in its ability to create lasting change, measured not just in outcomes, but in the collective empowerment and transformation it inspires within communities.
Who can use this framework?
Who can use this framework?
You are an architect of change—an NGO worker, a social impact practitioner, community organiser, an educator, an artist, philanthropist, city planner or a policymaker. If you believe in the power of community or community building, and want to leverage their creative expression to bring about change, this framework is your ally.
The PASI framework doesn’t just guide—it partners with you to foster a society where the affected communities do not just participate in change, but lead it.
You are an architect of change—an NGO worker, a social impact practitioner, community organiser, an educator, an artist, philanthropist, city planner or a policymaker. If you believe in the power of communities, and you want to use their creative expression to spark change, this framework is your ally.
The PASI framework doesn’t just guide—it partners with you to co-create a world where marginalized communities don’t just participate in change but lead it.
What can you use this framework for?
What can you use this framework for?
Imagine a resettled community coming together to paint their walls with their stories and needs, transforming unfamiliar spaces into vibrant hubs of hope and pride. Picture a public art installation amplifying community voices as it is boldly paraded across the city, capturing attention and inspiring action. Envision a towering monument sculpted by the community, sparking dialogue and symbolising strength.
In these ways, the PASI framework will help you activate, unify and empower the collective voices of your communities to lead change. When community members collaborate to sculpt models, stitch fabric art, build installations, paint walls or draw rangoli together, the gathering becomes powerful spaces for them to build connections, deepen trust and realise their shared vision. In these shared moments of creation, cultural, language and caste barriers fade, and a collective voice raises through the universal language of art and creativity.
Whether highlighting a community issue, advocating for policy changes or seeking demands and accountability, the framework will support you and your communities to reimagine what is possible, and to prove that when communities unite to share their stories, they hold the power to shape their future.
Imagine a resettled community coming together to paint their walls with their stories and needs, transforming unfamiliar spaces into vibrant hubs of hope and pride. Picture a public art installation amplifying community voices as it is boldly paraded across the city, capturing attention and inspiring action. Envision a towering monument sculpted by the community, sparking dialogue and symbolising strength.
In these ways, the PASI framework will help you activate, unify and empower the collective voices of your communities to lead change. When community members collaborate to sculpt models, stitch fabric art, build installations, paint walls or draw rangoli together, the gathering becomes powerful spaces for them to build connections, deepen trust and realise their shared vision. In these shared moments of creation, cultural, language and caste barriers fade, and a collective voice raises through the universal language of art and creativity.
Whether highlighting a community issue, advocating for policy changes or seeking demands and accountability, the framework will support you and your communities to reimagine what is possible, and to prove that when communities unite to share their stories, they hold the power to shape their future.
"We need to unlearn what we know and learn with the communities."
Nitisha Agrawal
Nitisha Agrawal
Founder & Director, Smokeless Cookstove Foundation
Founder & Director,
Smokeless Cookstove Foundation
Bridging communities
and decision-makers
through creativity.
Bridging communities
and decision-makers
through creativity.
Bridging communities
and decision-makers
through creativity.
Power of the PASI Framework Beyond Immediate Outcomes
Power of the PASI Framework Beyond Immediate Outcomes
PASI, applied through this framework, has empowered communities to exercise agency and lead change via artistic and digital expressions, while also strengthening their social networks through meaningful engagement with diverse stakeholders. Through its powerful advocacy, it has successfully changed or initiated social discourse on problems of the marginalised communities.
In addition, it has shifted perceptions in key stakeholders.
The power of this framework however extends beyond these immediate outcomes. Women, men and youth, as champions and ambassadors of change in their communities, have gained valuable leadership skills and have now stepped-up to positively lead and influence within their communities. Moreover, a few have found their career calling in social work or creative communication.
However, for most, their engagement with PASI has successfully strengthened their beliefs in themselves as agents of change, and in their community’s ability for collective action to lead change.
PASI, applied through this framework, has empowered communities to exercise agency and lead change via artistic and digital expressions, while also strengthening their social networks through meaningful engagement with diverse stakeholders. Through its powerful advocacy, it has successfully changed or initiated social discourse on problems of the marginalised communities.
In addition, it has shifted perceptions in key stakeholders.
The power of this framework however extends beyond these immediate outcomes. Women, men and youth, as champions and ambassadors of change in their communities, have gained valuable leadership skills and have now stepped-up to positively lead and influence within their communities. Moreover, a few have found their career calling in social work or creative communication.
However, for most, their engagement with PASI has successfully strengthened their beliefs in themselves as agents of change, and in their community’s ability for collective action to lead change.
Core Values of the PASI Framework by Purpose
Core Values of the PASI Framework by Purpose
01
01
Stages and Levels of Participation
Stages and Levels of Participation
03
03
Ethically Mindful
Ethically Mindful
04
04
Risk
Sensitive
Risk
Sensitive
"Thinking of myself as an expert to thinking of as an enabler. We come with a saviour mentality, it starts breaking down. Once you are done with the project & leave, it still survives with the communities. That changed the way we look at participatory approaches. Lots of knowledge that the communities also have. So a drastic change for me."
"Thinking of myself as an expert to thinking of as an enabler. We come with a saviour mentality, it starts breaking down. Once you are done with the project & leave, it still survives with the communities. That changed the way we look at participatory approaches. Lots of knowledge that the communities also have. So a drastic change for me."
Samya Ghosh
Samya Ghosh
Creative Lead, KSP
Creative Lead, KSP
Impact Measurement & Learning
Impact Measurement & Learning
Measurement & Evaluation is most useful when it is used to advance learning to inform intervention adaptation and impact. This data-driven feedback loop allows for targeted adjustments that refine strategies towards enhanced effectiveness and impact.
Evaluating the impact of PASI requires a mix of quantitative and qualitative approaches to capture both tangible outcomes and complex behavioral shifts. Methods such as pre- and post-project surveys, in-depth interviews, baseline, midline and endline evaluations, ethnographic storytelling, observations with reflective community discussions and analyses of project documentation, photographs, videos, testimonials, help track, measure and assess the strengths and weaknesses in achieving outcomes.
Measurement & Evaluation is most useful when it is used to advance learning to inform intervention adaptation and impact. This data-driven feedback loop allows for targeted adjustments that refine strategies towards enhanced effectiveness and impact.
Evaluating the impact of PASI requires a mix of quantitative and qualitative approaches to capture both tangible outcomes and complex behavioral shifts. Methods such as pre- and post-project surveys, in-depth interviews, baseline, midline and endline evaluations, ethnographic storytelling, observations with reflective community discussions and analyses of project documentation, photographs, videos, testimonials, help track, measure and assess the strengths and weaknesses in achieving outcomes.
Case Studies: PASI in action —A Growing library
Case Studies: PASI in action —A Growing library
Case Studies: PASI in action —A Growing library
Whether you’re an artist, policymaker, CSO, activist or community member, there’s a role for everyone in shaping inclusive and equitable futures. Explore our featured case studies, and draw inspiration for your own initiatives.
Your creativity and passion can have a ripple effect. Together, let’s empower our communities, one participatory art project at a time!
Whether you’re an artist, policymaker, CSO, activist or community member, there’s a role for everyone in shaping inclusive and equitable futures. Explore our featured case studies, and draw inspiration for your own initiatives.
Your creativity and passion can have a ripple effect. Together, let’s empower our communities, one participatory art project at a time!
To continue to grow this library of participatory art projects, if you already practice participatory art, using your own methods, we invite you to share your insights through a case study.
To continue to grow this library of participatory art projects, if you already practice participatory art, using your own methods, we invite you to share your insights through a case study.
Help Communities Lead Change with PASI
Help Communities Lead Change with PASI
About Us
About Us
Purpose is a global social impact agency that has been actively working in India for over nine years. Their work spans three core verticals: climate action, gender and sexual reproductive health, and combating misinformation and disinformation. With a presence in over 15 states, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Patna, Lucknow, Kanpur, and Thrissur.
Beyond India, Purpose operates through regional offices in Indonesia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, North America, and Kenya, leveraging a global network to create high-impact, locally relevant solutions for some of the world's most pressing social challenges.
You are an architect of change—an NGO worker, a social impact practitioner, community organiser, an educator, an artist, philanthropist, city planner or a policymaker. If you believe in the power of communities, and you want to use their creative expression to spark change, this framework is your ally.
The PASI framework doesn’t just guide—it partners with you to co-create a world where marginalized communities don’t just participate in change but lead it.
.
Auom Impact and Consulting by Insomanywords integrates behavioural science, systems thinking and futures foresight to make sense of complex problems, and to design and strengthen solutions that drive net positive and progressive socio-environmental and ecological impact.
Auom’s work addresses needs of the marginalised between humans, beyond humans and human-made systems, to enable equitable development across Asia Pacific, South American and African countries.
You are an architect of change—an NGO worker, a social impact practitioner, community organiser, an educator, an artist, philanthropist, city planner or a policymaker. If you believe in the power of communities, and you want to use their creative expression to spark change, this framework is your ally.
The PASI framework doesn’t just guide—it partners with you to co-create a world where marginalized communities don’t just participate in change but lead it.
FAQ
What is the PASI Framework?
How does participatory art create social impact?
Who can use the PASI Framework?
What types of participatory art practices does PASI include?
How does PASI measure the impact of participatory art projects?
What ethical considerations are important in participatory art practices?
How can organisations integrate PASI into their existing social impact programs?
What resources does PASI provide for implementing participatory art projects?
What is the PASI Framework?
How does participatory art create social impact?
Who can use the PASI Framework?
What types of participatory art practices does PASI include?
How does PASI measure the impact of participatory art projects?
What ethical considerations are important in participatory art practices?
How can organisations integrate PASI into their existing social impact programs?
What resources does PASI provide for implementing participatory art projects?
What is the PASI Framework?
How does participatory art create social impact?
Who can use the PASI Framework?
What types of participatory art practices does PASI include?
How does PASI measure the impact of participatory art projects?
What ethical considerations are important in participatory art practices?
How can organisations integrate PASI into their existing social impact programs?
What resources does PASI provide for implementing participatory art projects?
Crafted by Purpose India, the Participatory Arts for Social Impact framework was co-developed with Auom Impact and Consulting.
Contact us!
Let's talk PASI, share ideas and collaborate!
Write to us at newdelhi@purpose.com
Copyright © 2025 Pasi Framework-
All Rights Reserved.
Contact us!
Let's talk PASI, share ideas and collaborate!
Write to us at newdelhi@purpose.com
Copyright © 2025 Pasi Framework-
All Rights Reserved.