Participatory Artwork as a Link Between Inclusion and Research

The Center for Social & Health Innovation and the employment initiative of Psychosozialer Pflegedienst Tirol are creating a work of art that artistically interprets health and social research and aims to make participation and inclusion visible.

In collaboration with a group from the employment initiative of the Psychosocial Care Service Tyrol, based in Hall i.T., the Center for Social & Health Innovation (CSHI) has realized an extraordinary art project. Led by Karin Schmitzberger, the artists of the group “Kunst Kultur Natur” (Art Culture Nature) created a large-format participatory painting that highlights the Center’s central research themes. At the same time, impressively demonstrates how participation, inclusion, and creative engagement can be lived in practice. The artists titled the resulting artwork "GEMEINSAM KANN'S LEUCHTEN" ("Together, there's light").

During the preparation phase, the participating artists intensively explored with key phrases such as health, public health, mental health, community, research, policy, health promotion, and participation. Using a bottom-up approach, the artists conceived, visualized, and further developed these topics from the clients’ perspective. The group collected associations, created sketches, and drew inspiration from exhibitions featuring various techniques and forms of expression. The artists then combined their individual designs into a joint work of art on a primed wooden panel. Featuring warm colors, a textured background, and smooth transitions, the final piece is a harmonious and vibrant, conveying both diversity and cohesion. Above all, the creative process relied on empowering the clients and a participatory decision-making that gave everyone a voice.

On Thursday, November 20, 2025, the finished artwork was ceremoniously handed over at the MCI. The event fostered a valuable exchange: The artists reported on their creative processes and shared their personal thoughts on the motifs. In turn, they gained insight into health and social research.

An image that combines participation and science

The CSHI has collaborated with a group from the Tyrol Psychosocial Care Service Employment Initiative in Hall in Tirol on a special art project. The artists from the ‘Kunst Kultur Natur’ (Art Culture Nature) group have created a large image together. The group is led by Karin Schmitzberger. This picture shows important research topics of the CSHI. It also shows how participation, co-determination and inclusion can be made visible through art. It also shows how important it is that every opinion counts.

How the picture was created
The artists first engaged intensively with the topics of health, co-determination, research and inclusion, and collected artistic ideas in various exhibitions. All the ideas for the picture came from the artists themselves. This is called a bottom-up approach. Everyone contributed their thoughts and had a say. Every opinion was important. The drawings were transferred onto a large wooden panel. Warm colours, a textured surface and gentle transitions created a shared image. It shows how colourful and diverse the world is – and how we stick together.

The handover
On Thursday, 20 November 2025, the finished picture was handed over at the MCI. The artists explained the meaning of their motifs to the guests:

• Hands represent solidarity.
• Flowers, sun and animals show that we all live together in one world.
• Questions such as ‘What is fair?’ and ‘What makes a person valuable?’ are also depicted in the picture.
• Being part of the whole is beautiful.
• Warmth in everyday life is important.
• Wish: All people are equally valuable.
• Everyone has DNA – this runs through the entire picture.
• The tree gives strength.

The exchange between science and people who are very concerned with participation and inclusion is valuable and was greatly appreciated by everyone. The project combines art, inclusion and active participation and was enjoyed by all involved.