Decolonial thought proposes that social art practices have been around for centuries in many cultures (excluding the West). This is a valid statement considering religious rituals date back to Greek mythology. Not only did the Greeks participate in animal sacrifices to provide offerings to the Gods, but they also held religious festivals once every four years. They had processions as well as athletic competitions. The festivals attracted Greeks from all over the world, which indicates that this art form had a wide audience. In addition, early evidence of dance as part of ceremonies and entertainment date back to before civilization. Egyptian tomb paintings depict dancing figures and early manuscripts found in Sri Lanka document dancing and music at a wedding ceremony as early as 543 BCE. These examples of religious rituals and dance are early social processes that have evolved over time. Western civilization adopted and altered many ancient forms of social art, which is why are often perceived as relatively new.
a wiki of socially engaged art