Research projects and grants

Social innovations are solutions to social problems that are poorly or insufficiently addressed by existing institutional and organizational frameworks. They help tackle complex social issues. The social problems that social innovations aim to address can vary in nature, and our research focuses on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), concepts that are increasingly prevalent in academic and socio-economic discourse and concern all sectors. Cultural environments are not exempt from this reality and are characterized by situations of discrimination, with some authors even indicating that the sector qualifies as systemic discrimination. Knowing that EDI is fostered by dialogue, understanding others, and discussion, cultural environments seem to be fertile ground for initiating this dialogue, notably by promoting relationships between artists and audiences, specifically artists from diverse backgrounds. By relationships, we mean all the ways artists communicate their identity (racial, gender, etc.) to audiences, notably by sharing their values, culture, or beliefs in an artistic form or within the context of cultural performances. These relationships are rich and can help eradicate certain barriers. The general objective of this research is to understand how relationships between artists from diverse backgrounds and audiences can lead to social innovation and promote EDI. This research is built and conducted with communities (cultural organizations, artists, audiences, and institutions) with the aim of mobilizing artistic environments as a lever to promote EDI in society. Indeed, we have adopted an action-research approach.

To achieve this objective, we have chosen to use Alvesson and Deetz’s (2020) Framework for Critical Research (FCR) and Alvesson and Sköldberg’s (2018) reflexive methodology. The FCR comprises three stages: dialogue initiation, critical or reflexive analysis, and transformation. For the first stage, we will conduct multiple case studies (12 cases) that will involve studying cultural events (shows, exhibitions, etc.) led by artists from diverse backgrounds. We aim to conduct six semi-structured interviews per case with artists, cultural organizations, and audience members. For the second stage (critical analysis), we have adopted Boltanski and Thévenot’s (1991) theoretical framework of justification from critical pragmatism, which we will use in an original way for data analysis to make it more fluid and consequently more suitable for studying EDI and social innovations. We also propose a combination of this framework with Giddens’ (1984) structuration theory. Scientific and practical writings will emerge from this stage, including a guide for cultural organizations. Finally, for the third stage (transformation), we will return to the cultural organizations so they can validate and enhance the guide before its dissemination. This feedback will take the form of discussion groups. This project will contribute to advancing knowledge in the field of social innovations, specifically regarding EDI issues in cultural environments. The practical implications will encourage cultural organizations to establish artistic programming that promotes relationships between artists from diverse backgrounds and audiences, thereby strengthening EDI in cultural environments and society.