Up Start: Community-Based Creative Industries

Abstract

Up Start: Community-Based Creative Industries Paula Reaes Pinto, University of Évora–CHAIA, Portugal António Gorgel Pinto, Universidade Europeia, Portugal Paulo Simões Rodrigues, University of Évora–CHAIA, Portugal Filomena Djassi, Aga Khan Foundation, Portugal The Paris Conference on Arts & Humanities 2023 Official Conference Proceedings Abstract The article focuses on the Up Start – Creative Industries project, an initiative by the Aga Khan Foundation Portugal in partnership with the University of Évora, under the scope of the Partnerships for Impact Programme and Portugal Social Innovation. The interaction between the two institutions focused on design for social innovation, heritage and management with the primary objective of creating a model of creative and cultural entrepreneurship for vulnerable communities to integrate these people economically, socially and culturally through co-creation practices at a local level. The project also aimed to test an Acceleration and Incubation Programme, including the strengthening of craft technical skills, production opportunities, personalised mentoring, and the creation of funding for the development of micro-enterprises that value design methods, craft and artistic techniques and knowledge, and cultural heritage as factors for innovation. To improve the living conditions of the communities involved in the project, namely the migrant populations in the Lisbon metropolitan area, the techniques, arts and crafts developed by migrants from their cultural heritage were identified and mapped. As part of the project's results, surveys involving all participants were carried out to understand the impact that this action had on their lives. Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Participation, Arts and Crafts, Social Design, Heritage, Creative Conservation