IMPACT OF ARTISTIC WORKSHOPS ON AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH UNIVERSITY OUTREACH

Abstract

This article analyzes the role of art as a pedagogical and social tool within the community outreach project “Courses and Workshops” developed by the Visual Arts program at the Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí. The study is based on the need to promote audience development and cultural participation through creative community processes. The main objective was to identify the impact of art on the emotional, cognitive, and social development of participants through muralism and painting workshops. A mixed-methods approach with a quasi-experimental design was used, including pre- and post-workshop surveys to assess changes in participants’ perception of art, its social role, and its value as a transformative experience. Results showed enhanced self-awareness, introspection, and self-confidence among participants, as well as a deeper appreciation of art as a medium for expression and social cohesion. Muralism encouraged reflection on identity and community, while painting stimulated both individual and collective creativity. It is concluded that the workshops fulfilled the research objective by establishing art as an agent of cultural and educational change. This study provides relevant evidence about the role of art in community contexts and suggests new directions for pedagogical application and research in outreach projects