What is Participatory Art for
Social Impact at Purpose India?
At Purpose India, we believe that stories matter. When crafted collectively through art—one of the most visible and expressive forms of storytelling—they have the power to make issues relatable and better heard.
By engaging with communities in their own language, stories, and heritage, through PASI, we first bring visibility to the lived experiences of their marginalised voices. As communities see their realities reflected in public spaces, it fosters a sense of agency, strengthening their ownership over the narrative. This co-creation process encourages small acts of advocacy, which, over time, build momentum and evolve into social movements for change.
"Social Movements are inherently empowering in that they are collective efforts by a large group of people, often seeking change in status quo towards a targeted social or political outcome"
-(Tufte & Mefalopulos 2009; Keat 2019:74)
By empowering marginalised communities and fostering movements, through PASI we continue to demonstrate that art-based storytelling can be a catalyst for change, transforming silence into collective strength.
What is Participatory Art for Social Impact at Purpose India?
At Purpose India, we believe that stories matter. When crafted collectively through art—one of the most visible and expressive forms of storytelling—they have the power to make issues relatable and better heard.
By engaging with communities in their own language, stories, and heritage, through PASI, we first bring visibility to the lived experiences of their marginalised voices. As communities see their realities reflected in public spaces, it fosters a sense of agency, strengthening their ownership over the narrative. This co-creation process encourages small acts of advocacy, which, over time, build momentum and evolve into social movements for change.
"Social Movements are inherently empowering in that they are collective efforts by a large group of people, often seeking change in status quo towards a targeted social or political outcome"
-(Tufte & Mefalopulos 2009; Keat 2019:74)
By empowering marginalised communities and fostering movements, through PASI we continue to demonstrate that art-based storytelling can be a catalyst for change, transforming silence into collective strength.
Forms & Mediums of PASI
Forms & Mediums of PASI
Art as the most visible and universal language of self expression, effortlessly unites communities around shared causes. When created, presented and represented by the community, it not only amplifies their stories but also fosters ownership and agency. Purpose applies PASI (Participatory Art for Social Impact) to go beyond mere visibility, enabling communities to stand stronger, speak louder, and actively co-create solutions alongside decision-makers and the broader ecosystem.
Through murals that unveil untold stories, performances that captivate, sculptures and media art that provoke dialogue, PASI facilitates a different kind of advocacy, one that bridges the gap between communities and those in power. This approach ensures that art is not just a means of expression but also a tool for meaningful engagement, allowing for participatory solution-building.
Explore the myriad of forms and mediums championed by Purpose here:
Art as the most visible and universal language of self expression, effortlessly unites communities around shared causes. When created, presented and represented by the community, it not only amplifies their stories but also fosters ownership and agency. Purpose applies PASI (Participatory Art for Social Impact) to go beyond mere visibility, enabling communities to stand stronger, speak louder, and actively co-create solutions alongside decision-makers and the broader ecosystem.
Through murals that unveil untold stories, performances that captivate, sculptures and media art that provoke dialogue, PASI facilitates a different kind of advocacy, one that bridges the gap between communities and those in power. This approach ensures that art is not just a means of expression but also a tool for meaningful engagement, allowing for participatory solution-building.
Explore the myriad of forms and mediums championed by Purpose here:
Wall Murals and Infrastructure Art
Wall Murals and Infrastructure Art
Transform community spaces into safe, interactive areas that act as visual markers and platforms for dialogue.
Transform community spaces into safe, interactive areas that act as visual markers and platforms for dialogue.
Public Sculptures
Public Sculptures
As symbols of shared history and aspirations, co-designed public sculptures transform everyday spaces into landmarks of collective pride and storytelling.
As symbols of shared history and aspirations, co-designed public sculptures transform everyday spaces into landmarks of collective pride and storytelling.
Music & Public Theatrical Performances
Music & Public Theatrical Performances
These are dynamic and immersive mediums that embody the emotions of lived experiences, effective in evoking empathy on pressing issues portrayed in them.
These are dynamic and immersive mediums that embody the emotions of lived experiences, effective in evoking empathy on pressing issues portrayed in them.
Digital Multimedia Storytelling
Digital Multimedia Storytelling
Dynamic media narratives by communities, shared through social media for broader reach and visibility. Multimedia storytelling weaves together visuals, sound, animations and narrative to create immersive and impactful narratives that drive awareness and visibility on important issues.
Dynamic media narratives by communities, shared through social media for broader reach and visibility. Multimedia storytelling weaves together visuals, sound, animations and narrative to create immersive and impactful narratives that drive awareness and visibility on important issues.
Virtual Art Gallery
Virtual Art Gallery
Inclusive platforms to showcase artistic stories, unrestricted by physical limitations, allowing artists to express themselves freely. It brings together artists to create and showcase artworks that celebrate or spotlight pressing issues, collectively amplifying awareness and driving conversation.
Inclusive platforms to showcase artistic stories, unrestricted by physical limitations, allowing artists to express themselves freely. It brings together artists to create and showcase artworks that celebrate or spotlight pressing issues, collectively amplifying awareness and driving conversation.
Interactive Installations
Interactive Installations
Responsive spaces sometimes embedded with technology, such as sensors, to facilitate human-space interactions and initiate engagement. Interactive Art Installations: Using art, culture and technology to engage audiences as active participants, transforming spaces into immersive, dialogue-driven experiences.
Responsive spaces sometimes embedded with technology, such as sensors, to facilitate human-space interactions and initiate engagement. Interactive Art Installations: Using art, culture and technology to engage audiences as active participants, transforming spaces into immersive, dialogue-driven experiences.
Pillars of PASI at Purpose
Pillars of PASI at Purpose
"Why participatory engagements are essential now? Historically, courageous leaders have represented the interests of large groups of people. But now, with improved literacy and access to information, communities are increasingly aware of their rights. They realise their heightened sense of agency, and aspire to shape their societies in ways that reflect their cultural contexts. And they are receptive to support from facilitators like us, to empower and uplift them."
"Why participatory engagements are essential now? Historically, courageous leaders have represented the interests of large groups of people. But now, with improved literacy and access to information, communities are increasingly aware of their rights. They realise their heightened sense of agency, and aspire to shape their societies in ways that reflect their cultural contexts. And they are receptive to support from facilitators like us, to empower and uplift them."
Srilakshmi
Srilakshmi
Social Behaviorual Change Strategist,
Founder - Auom Impact & Consulting by Insomanywords
Community Outreach
Coordinator, KSP
Who are we to the Communities?
Who are we to the Communities?
To the communities we work with, we are enablers and collaborators who collaboratorspartners who bring creative tools and set up platforms for their voices to be heard loud, far and wide. provide creative tools and platforms for their voices to be heard loud, far and wide. Our role is not to lead or dictate but to create safe spaces with communities, where they can discover the strength of their collective stories. where communities can uncover the power of their collective stories and drive their own narratives.
To the communities we work with, we are enablers and collaborators who collaboratorspartners who bring creative tools and set up platforms for their voices to be heard loud, far and wide. provide creative tools and platforms for their voices to be heard loud, far and wide. Our role is not to lead or dictate but to create safe spaces with communities, where they can discover the strength of their collective stories. where communities can uncover the power of their collective stories and drive their own narratives.
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.