Seventeenth International Conference on the Inclusive Museum

Abstract

São Paulo (Brazil) faces an increasing number of people in houseless conditions. Institutions like Pinacoteca or the New Museum of Portuguese Language have been developing initiatives to engage with these individuals. What motivates these actions? What are their possibilities, limitations, and consequences? How can these initiatives help to rethink museum roles and international norms? This paper offers a comparative reading concerning two projects: the Extramural Educational Action (2008-), organized by Pinacoteca de São Paulo; and “From/To”, implemented in the 2000s by the New Museum of Portuguese Language. The originality of this research lies in the discussion of rights-led activities that involve ‘vulnerable’ participants, thanks to the conduction of qualitative interviews with museum representatives. This paper aims to understand the effects and possible reach of these initiatives. Ultimately, this research can be a starting point for rethinking and designing similar activities.