The Ministry of the Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania has granted Artscape social enterprise status. The organisation is now launching a new sustainable model for sociocultural services in Lithuania, with a focus on social inclusion and prevention.
The new model is based on low-threshold creative activities delivered where people already are – in local communities, social service institutions and everyday spaces. Rather than treating culture as an additional or supplementary activity, this approach uses it as a practical tool to strengthen social connections, support emotional well-being and encourage participation in community life.
The new status reflects Artscape’s long-term strategic direction. The organisation aims to build sustainable partnerships with municipalities, integrate arts-based methods into public services – including education, social services and culture – and strengthen sector-wide capacity through training and knowledge exchange. The goal is to develop an approach that can be applied not only through individual initiatives, but also at a systemic level.
Responding to growing social challenges
The new direction responds to increasingly complex social challenges in Lithuania, including social and cultural exclusion, the effects of violence and trauma, stigma and discrimination, as well as limited access to meaningful and inclusive cultural activities for people in vulnerable situations. These challenges often overlap and reinforce one another, requiring solutions that work across sectors.
Through creative activities, Artscape aims to support participants’ emotional well-being, strengthen social connections and encourage more active participation in community life. The model is also expected to have a broader impact on participants’ families and support networks, as well as professionals working in social services, education and culture.
A key principle of Artscape’s social enterprise model is that 100% of profits generated through its economic activities will be reinvested in activities that create social impact. This ensures that the organisation’s work remains focused on public benefit while supporting its long-term sustainability.
As social challenges become increasingly complex and traditional approaches alone prove insufficient, there is a growing need for new interdisciplinary models. Artscape’s approach brings together culture, social work and community participation within a single framework designed not only to respond to challenges when they arise, but also to help prevent them.
An invitation to collaborate
Artscape invites municipalities, cultural and educational institutions, social service providers and communities to work together on developing long-term solutions for integration and inclusion through culture in Lithuania.
The aim is to move beyond one-off initiatives and jointly develop systemic approaches that can become an integral part of local communities and public services over time.
Artscape offers:
- the application of trauma-informed principles in cultural and community-based activities;
- the development and implementation of sociocultural integration models;
- the integration of innovative, participatory arts-based methods into public services;
- presentations of Artscape’s methods and expertise at events, forums, festivals and other professional platforms;
- the development of joint projects, pilot programmes and cross-sector partnerships.
July 22, 2026