This study explores the role of visual arts in two projects that aimed to integrate refugees and migrants into Swedish society, and in what way art was considered to help the integration process. Qualitative content analysis and a cultural policy model have been used to analyze the material consisting of interviews with the leaders of two projects, and some texts. The result shows that art was considered to have an instrumental role in both of the projects, but educational and social values were also mentioned. The use of visual arts was considered successful for integration purposes because of its perceived ability to help people communicate without using words, and helping people to learn the language through conversations about art.