Cultural mediators in Portugal: profiles and trajectories of a new occupational group

Abstract

This article studies individuals involved in activities of cultural mediation. We confine our attention to mediators in educational services and programmes promoted by public policies. The study focuses on the trajectories of a group of mediators, based on indepth interviews. Two features are highlighted: first, the differences in the degree to which this work is central to those trajectories; secondly, the common agreement on the qualifications required to fulfill the role. The article outlines a variety of profiles, revealing the heterogeneity of the work of mediation in the arts in Portugal.