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Abstract: This article is based on postdoctoral research entitled Curadorias Acessíveis: propostas de exposição e extroversão centradas na relação de diferentes públicos com o patrimônio cultural (Accessible curatorship: exhibition and cultural action proposals centred on the relationship of different audiences with cultural heritage), which was carried out as part of the Postgraduate Programme in Museology at the University of São Paulo. The research is centred on observation and analysis of specific cases of accessible and participatory curatorship practices in Brazilian museums. The piece presents information on the theoretical approach used and data that were collected through interviews with those involved in participatory curatorship projects in museums, exhibitions and educational actions. The investigation focuses particularly on curatorial projects in which the representatives of target audiences and other community actors – such as young students, individuals with disabilities and adult graduates of cultural programmes – participated in the co‐production of exhibitions and cultural actions. Participating in curatorship practices attracts and fosters loyalty among new audiences, fulfilling the social function of the museum. This participatory dimension cultivates a feeling of belonging and a collective creation of meaning within the local community, placing the museum at the heart of everyday life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]