PACUS project: Participation in cultural and artistic activities: Determining Factors and Impact on Health and Well‑Being
The PACUS project (PArticipació, CUltura i Salut/Health a Osona) explores how engagement in cultural and artistic practices influences health, emotional well‑being, and social cohesion, while identifying the factors that facilitate or hinder participation in these activities. Conducted in the municipalities of Vic, Manlleu, and Torelló (Osona, Catalonia), the study involves both the general population and active members of three key cultural organizations: Casino de Vic, Museu del Ter, and Associació d’Estudis Torellonencs.
Through a mixed‑methods design that combines surveys, interviews, focus groups, and secondary data analysis, the project aims to generate evidence-based recommendations to promote equitable access to culture, particularly among vulnerable groups and in rural or ageing communities. The research team, led by Dr. Sergi Blancafort Alias and Júlia Ferrés Cortés from UVic‑UCC, works closely with local cultural entities and UVic students, who are involved in data collection and in the creation of a documentary showcasing participants’ experiences.
Funded by the Xarxa Vives at the Creu Casas Sicart research grants, PACUS is structured in 4 phases—design and literature review, fieldwork, analysis, and dissemination—and will produce open-access results, including a final report, a scientific article, and practical recommendations aimed at strengthening the transformative role of culture in improving health, fostering active citizenship, and building more inclusive and cohesive communities.