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On Collectivising as a Cultural Practice
Insights from Tunis and Cairo

Fellow Author(s)

Research Project

Published in: Collectivise

2025

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Despite their increasing significance, collectives remain underexplored in cultural policy research. While their global presence grows, a comprehensive understanding of their organizational structures and dynamics is lacking. Existing research often focuses on the conceptual aspects of collective artistic practices, neglecting their internal workings and frameworks. This gap may result in misunderstandings regarding the defining characteristics of collectives, their operational structures, and the factors that contribute to their sustainability. Our study addresses these gaps by examining the cultural organization dimensions of collectives. Through interviews with 15 local collectives in Tunis and Cairo and participatory observations, we highlight dynamics such as pluralistic aesthetics, shared resources, and care practices, aiming to help cultural policy stakeholders better understand these groups. We argue that collectives should be seen not just as resource-pooling entities but as spaces where collaboration, empowerment, and care intersect. We also explore how collective care practices can be better understood and evaluated. In conclusion, we advocate for a flexible, context-sensitive understanding of collectives. Our findings emphasize the importance of decentralized governance, diverse perspectives, and the collective effort to create alternative cultural spaces.

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