ViViFiCAR

About this project

<p><span style="color: #000000">The VIVIFICAR project addressed the challenge of population decline and cultural isolation in four low-density municipalities in the Douro region—Alijó, Lamego, Mêda, and Torre de Moncorvo. It aimed to revitalise these areas by promoting creative engagement, decentralising artistic offerings, and strengthening community ties through participatory art. The project involved 12 artists in residencies, engaging 231 residents—nearly double the initial target—and delivered 12 community-specific interventions, including exhibitions, workshops, and informal talks. Activities such as photography and video workshops for young people culminated in public exhibitions, while guided tours expanded accessibility. The project also produced two collective exhibitions in Portugal and Norway, a seminar, a book, and a summary exhibition, significantly extending its reach. &nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">The project achieved meaningful impact by reinvigorating local communities, with participants requesting its return and municipalities committing to a second edition. Unintended benefits included increased visibility through national and international exhibitions, such as the Porto Photography Biennial, and lasting cultural initiatives like the formation of a local association in Alijó. The bilateral collaboration with Norway enriched the project, fostering cross-cultural understanding and attracting new audiences. Ultimately, ViViFiCAR demonstrated how art could address socio-economic challenges, leaving a sustainable legacy of community engagement and cultural vitality in the Douro region.</span></p>

Bilateral cooperation results

The project benefited significantly from its partnership with the Norwegian donor, Surnadal Billag, which played a key role in selecting Norwegian artists for Encontros Vivos and provided artistic direction through Jon Arne Mogstad. His involvement, alongside moderators like Gabriela Vaz-Pinheiro, enriched the creative process by fostering deeper community engagement and cross-cultural dialogue. The collaboration also enhanced understanding of shared challenges in low-density regions of Portugal and Norway. At a bilateral level, the partnership yielded several key results. The collective exhibition hosted at Surnadal Billag and Surnadal Kulturhus attracted an unprecedented audience, expanding visibility for both organisations. The project facilitated knowledge exchange, with Norwegian artists contributing unique perspectives that influenced the artistic outcomes. Additionally, the cooperation strengthened ties between the two regions, creating opportunities for future cultural initiatives. Plans for continued bilateral cooperation were indicated, with the potential for ongoing contact, though no formal agreements were confirmed. The success of the collaboration, including its unexpected reach and impact, suggests a mutual interest in sustaining the relationship, possibly through future projects or exchanges.

Project partners

• Surnadal Billag A/S Donor project partner· Norway
• Alijó Municipality Project partner· Portugal
• Mêda Municipality Project partner· Portugal
• Torre de Moncorvo Municipality Project partner· Portugal
• Lamego Municipality Project partner· Portugal
• Douro Museum Foundation Project partner· Portugal