Civil society as an actor of cultural governance in Izmir
| dc.contributor.author | Erson Işıklar, Başak | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-10-13T11:27:42Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-10-13T11:27:42Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 28/05/2025 | |
| dc.department | Enstitüler, Lisansüstü Programlar Enstitüsü, Kültürel İncelemeler Ana Bilim Dalı | |
| dc.description.abstract | This thesis explores the development of independent cultural initiatives and civic actors in İzmir over the past fifteen years, beginning with the 2009 Culture Workshop organized by the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality—an important turning point in the city’s participatory cultural governance. Grounded in theories of cultural democracy, participatory governance, and community-based cultural practices, the study examines how independent actors navigate institutional settings, build informal infrastructures, and experiment with alternative forms of collaboration. The first chapter outlines the theoretical and international background, introducing policy frameworks that define culture as a right, a shared resource, and a pillar of sustainable development. It draws on key cultural policy documents by UNESCO and UCLG to position İzmir’s experience within wider global debates on decentralization and civic participation. The second chapter analyzes institutional developments in İzmir, focusing on the municipality’s role in fostering participatory mechanisms and collaborative structures. It shows how these have facilitated engagement between public authorities and independent actors, while also encouraging resource-sharing and solidarity among initiatives. The third chapter explores informal collaboration and grassroots cultural production in the postpandemic context. It investigates how independent actors cope with precarity by creating their own networks, sharing resources, and cultivating mutual support. The concluding section synthesizes the study’s main findings and reflects on possible pathways to strengthen participatory cultural governance in İzmir—focusing on intermediary structures, mentorship models, and more equitable distribution of cultural resources. Ultimately, the thesis positions independent cultural actors as not only artistic producers but also key contributors to a democratic, inclusive, and socially responsive urban future. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/11411/9723 | |
| dc.institutionauthor | Erson Işıklar, Başak | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | İstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi, Lisansüstü Eğitim Enstitüsü | |
| dc.relation.publicationcategory | Tez | |
| dc.rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess | |
| dc.title | Civil society as an actor of cultural governance in Izmir | |
| dc.type | Master Thesis |
