Join Engage and Artworks Alliance in Bristol for a day of peer learning on the topic of power sharing and power shifting

Image 'Let's Create Art workshop' courtesy: iolo Walker and Artes Mundi

Overview

Stuck operating within unjust power dynamics that disadvantage and disempower individuals and communities? Want to stretch your practice and thinking around co-creation, community-led and socially engaged arts practices? Not sure what any of it means, or how to apply it practically? Or perhaps you have been working in this way for some time, and want to share your learning with peers, and gain critical feedback and new perspectives?

Join Engage and Artworks Alliance in Bristol for a day of sharing, discussing, and making together on the topic of 'Power Shift'. How can we share or shift power in our practices, arts programmes, projects and commissions, and what new or reimagined approaches will help us to navigate the changing socio-political landscape.

Who is it for?

Artists and arts organisations (in any artform), local authority culture teams, community organisers, producers, curators based in the South West and beyond. You don't need to be a member of either Artworks Alliance or Engage to attend, though we encourage you to consider joining our networks to keep the conversation going. We encourage people at any stage of their career to attend.

The most important thing is you are involved in some form of social, community, place-based or participatory art practice and are willing to be part of a dialogue exploring the pitfalls, challenges, benefits, and joys of arts-based approaches which challenge hierarchies and power dynamics e.g. co-creation/production, community-led practices, collaborative practice.

Come ready to listen, learn, participate, and contribute.

What to expect:

Practice sharing, and an invitation to share your own practice where it relates to the theme

Honest and practical discussions led by those in the room, with provocations and questions

A tasty lunch and the opportunity to network informally

Facilitation which uses practical and creative making across a range of art forms

Background

Earlier this year Artworks Alliance hosted two 'Gatherings', one in Birmingham and one in Manchester. These events reflected on the current participatory arts landscape around the theme of 'Tough Times'. As an Artworks Alliance steering group member, Engage is pleased to build on these conversations to bring together colleagues in the South West and beyond who will collectively explore practical (and impractical) ways forward, strategies for change, and positive disruptions to the status quo.

Special thanks to: Bricks Bristol, Take A Part, and Engage South West Reps Bettina Wenzel, Rebecca English and Bethany Richards who have supported the coordination of the event, as well as fellow Artworks Alliance steering group members Adrian Sinclair, Sue Caudle, Abi Horsfield, Kim Wide, and Rob Watson.

Booking information

This event is free to attend for members of Engage and Artworks Alliance, however we kindly request all attendees consider paying a £20 donation towards the cost of room hire and lunch.

If you or your organisation need to pay by invoice for the event please email info@engage.org by writing 'pay by invoice: Power Shift' in the subject.

Booking is essential as places are limited. If you are no longer able to attend please request a refund via Eventbrite to free up your space for someone else to attend.

When booking you will be asked if you would be interested in sharing or contributing to the event. This is optional, and we will follow up directly with those whose suggestions are most relevant and provide a mix of approaches. Please note that all contributors and participants are responsible for their own travel and accomodation.

Accessibility

If you have any access requirements please let us know on the booking form how we can help you participate in this event.

Information about the venue is here: https://stanneshouse.org/visit-us/

Dietary requirements

Lunch will be provided. Please indicate your dietary requirements when booking.

Artworks Alliance are a self-organising Community of Practice for people who are actively involved in using creativity to achieve positive social change and who believe in the transformative power of creative processes.

Engage is the professional body for art engagement, with a network of over 700 members across the UK. Engage is supported by Arts Council England and Creative Scotland.

Description supplied by the event organiser.