Author: François Matarasso

Community artist, writer, researcher, trainer, consultant, policymaker – I’ve had many roles since I started work in community arts in 1980, but always in the hope of protecting human rights. I work independently, mostly in Europe, from my home in France. I always work with others, accompanying them, sometimes guiding, in the journeys they want to make. My latest book is about the history, theory and practice of community art: it’s free to download from www.arestlessart.com

Some selfless artists

None of this work has been captured by power. It happens on the margins, largely unseen and ignored by state actors. Consequently, it can nourish a real alternative to the normative (and increasingly indistinguishable) ideologies of government and consumer capitalism. It enacts humanist values of connection, open-mindedness, tolerance and dialogue. It puts freedom before security. People before art.