The UNESCO Chair in Arts and Culture Management, Cities and Creativity serves as an international platform for research, training, and knowledge exchange in visual arts and cultural management.

Based at Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, we bring together top-tier researchers, educators, and students from Portugal, Europe, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean to drive innovation in the creative sector.

The Mission

To empower the cultural and creative ecosystem through integrated research, innovative higher education, and policy development—fostering intercultural dialogue, diversity, and sustainable urban growth.

CHAIR Goals

Developing projects aligned with UNESCO’s mission, priorities and strategies, the UNESCO Chair in Arts and Culture Management, Cities and Creativity aims to:

• Contribute to the strengthening and sustainability of the cultural and creative sector, reinforcing skills and policies in these areas, namely through the development of innovative higher education programmes and the implementation of research projects aimed at identifying the knowledge and set of skills and ethical standards considered critical in the context of arts and culture management;
• Design and implement jointly with partners activities aimed at promoting mutual understanding of identities, promoting a positive recognition of the creative force resulting from differences, as well as the development of sustainable cities, communities and societies;
• Carry out quality training and learning activities to contribute to the professional development of students of arts and cultural management, as well as other cultural agents, from the European Union, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, promoting equitable and inclusive education, lifelong learning opportunities, intercultural dialogue, cultural diversity and gender equality;
• Promote networking, communication, dialogue and sharing of knowledge and good practices among students, cultural agents, global citizens and stakeholders, including local authorities, namely through the creation of a digital platform focusing on local cultural policies, organization of open conferences and seminars, publications and exhibitions;
• Collaborate with UNESCO and existing UNESCO Chairs in relevant programmes and activities.

Global Context: The UNITWIN / UNESCO Network

Launched in 1992, the UNITWIN / UNESCO Chairs Programme connects over 850 institutions across 117 countries.

As part of this global network, our Chair acts as a think tank and bridge builder between academia, civil society, and policymakers—strengthening North-South-South cooperation and generating innovation through collaborative research.

TEAM

Chair Holder

João dos Santos (since Aug 2023)
Former Chair: João Bonifácio Serra (2018–2023)

Steering Committee

Lígia Afonso (Coord.), Philip Cabau, Ana João Romana, Carla Cardoso, Sónia Gonçalves.
Former members: Luísa Arroz Albuquerque (Coord. 2018–2022), João dos Santos (2018–2023)

Research Team

Ana João Romana, Carla Cardoso, Fernando Poeiras, Isabel Baraona, João Serra, Lígia Afonso, Mário Caeiro, Nuno Faria, Philip Cabau, Ricardo Pimentel, Samuel Rama.