Cultural Institutions Facing Contemporary Challenges Related to the Soundscape

The soundscape is an element of the human environment that combines aspects of nature (sound as an acoustic phenomenon and a manifestation of biological processes) and culture (a specific way of perceiving the soundscape, including in symbolic terms). Its contemporary transformations involve, on the one hand, the reduction and suppression of industrial sounds due to technological progress and, on the other, the proliferation of sounds associated with entertainment and personal electronic devices. There is also an observed increasing diversity of soundscapes, which reflects growing multiculturalism. These dynamic changes have recently led to growing interest in the topic of the soundscape among researchers, social activists, and artists. Attention is being paid to its communicative and aesthetic potential—including its role in fostering a sense of community—and its impact on the well-being of individuals and society. Challenges arise regarding the need to ensure an orderly soundscape that is not overloaded with stimuli.

Contemporary challenges related to the soundscape do not bypass cultural institutions, which are making their presence felt increasingly strong in local communities by extending their artistic and educational offerings beyond their own. Their presence stems from the need to reach new, diverse groups of participants and explore innovative forms of artistic activity that frequently address social issues. Expanding activities beyond the walls of their own premises means that the soundscape of a given location becomes an important context for artistic practice—one made even more challenging by the fact that it is not entirely predictable. Increasingly, this soundscape also serves as a source of inspiration for artists or as raw material for their work. This applies not only to music-focused institutions but also to those dedicated to theatre or the visual arts. Artistic practice is witnessing a trend where different fields of activity intermingle, leading to the creation of projects in the spirit of syncretic art.

Another significant aspect is the educational potential of sound. Sound-based educational activities—often held in cultural institutions—offer valuable opportunities for non-verbal communication, sensory engagement, and creative exploration. This is particularly beneficial for children with developmental challenges, neurodivergent students, and those not yet fluent in the local language—a situation becoming increasingly common in modern societies shaped by migration driven by war, climate change, and economic instability.

An additional, yet equally important, aspect of attending to the soundscape is the need to consider people’s capabilities and needs in the context of neurodiversity and disability, with special attention to children and adolescents. Finally, it is worth highlighting the potential of sound to spark creativity in both artists and participants of artistic activities. Caring for the sound environment also has a tangible economic dimension: it requires financial investment to ensure that buildings meet appropriate acoustic standards and to explore new means of artistic expression. The soundscape is significant not only inside cultural institutions but also in their immediate surroundings.

In this Special Issue, we encourage reflection on the importance of the soundscape in the activities of cultural institutions and on the attitudes of artists and educators toward the currently undergoing transformations. We hope that the articles included will help define the challenges cultural institutions face in their conscious management of the soundscape and outline ways to harness the creative potential of sound in art and education. Areas of interest may include, but are not limited to, the following topics:
• Conscious shaping of the soundscape in cultural institutions with the diverse needs of audiences in mind, including people with disabilities and those on the neurodiversity spectrum, as well as the economic aspects of such modifications;
• Analysis of examples of participatory artistic activities in cultural institutions that use sound as a medium of expression, with a particular focus on social themes;
• New forms of artworks and artistic expression—characterized by an innovative approach to sound and the soundscape—and their perception;
• The use of sound and soundscapes as means of symbolic communication and non-verbal expression in educational activities;
• The presence of cultural institutions in the local environment, considering the soundscape and its potential unpredictability;
• Sound as an element of the identity of a local cultural institution, including in the virtual space;
• Sound as a key component of the human experience of place, exemplified by the spaces of cultural institutions;
• The shaping of soundscapes in public spaces surrounding cultural institutions by city authorities; trends in public soundscape design.

Authors are welcome to submit articles presenting original studies or literature review work. Please consult the journal's information regarding Article Types, Author Guidelines, and Publishing Fees. Please contact the Editorial Office at ejcmp@frontierspartnerships.org for any query concerning this initiative.

Article types and fees

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Biography
• Book Review
• Commentary
• Impact
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Policy Brief
• Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Biography
• Book Review
• Commentary
• Impact
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Policy Brief
• Review

Keywords: Sound, soundscape, cultural institution, education, local environment