Socially-Engaged Art Practice in the East: Ports, Portals and New Possibilities
Initiated by Pier Projects, co-convened by Take a Part and in partnership with Fine Art at University of Suffolk
Date: Thursday 6 November, 10 - 5pm - option to stay for launch of a publication by Pier Projects until 6pm
Venue: Harvest House, 1 Cobbold Rd, Felixstowe IP11 7SP
Join us for a spirited day exploring the richness of socially-engaged arts practice in the East.
This symposium will bring together socially-engaged artists, arts practitioners, community members and representatives from local authority universities and interested stakeholders to map social arts practice in the region, share knowledge, ignite new conversations and foster new collaborations.
The Context
The day will take place in Felixstowe, the port and coastal town which has inspired Pier Projects’ programme. With its heritage of rest, care and convalescence, the day will be underpinned by this specific context, offering time, space and reflection for participants to recalibrate and galvanise.
Through workshops, group discussions, case studies and provocations, this is an opportunity to share generously, listen deeply, think creatively, talk openly and inspire collectively.
Join us to;
Scope the landscape of socially engaged practice in the East
Understand the current needs, challenges and opportunities of working in the East
Develop a Manifesto for creating positive change, based on shared ambitions
Consider how artists can best respond to new project opportunities as art organisations, local authorities and statutory services increase their appetite for social change work
Be part of knowledge exchange learning clusters led by locally-based practitioners / leaders/ researchers that explore themes such as creative health, place-making, community engagement, working with young people
Share practice, build new relationships, accelerate momentum and cultures of support
Signpost networks, opportunities and support in region and nationally for attendees to plug into
This is an open invitation but the day is primarily positioned to support, engage and amplify
Socially-engaged artists / practitioners
Arts organisations seeking to commission arts working in the East, developing projects rooted in social change
People with personal or professional interests in public space, social justice, creative health, environmental justice
Anyone whose work is rooted in collaboration, co-creation, interdisciplinary ways of working
Those who are working towards more sustainable and equitable futures
Representatives from funding bodies seeking to understand the arts ecology in the East of England
Local authority representatives especially working in health and wellbeing, communities teams, environment and planning.
Live Updates to the Programme and Contributors, below see here.
Key Words and Thematics:
Social Change / Social Action, Artist Networks, Knowledge-Sharing, Community-Based Asset Development, Place-Based, Mutual Support, Co-Creation, Collaboration, Cross-Sector Working, Public Realm, Civic Pride, Generosity, Reflective Practice, Skills Development, Care, Creative Health
This symposium is supported using public funding by Arts Council England, East Suffolk District Council, Suffolk County Council and is delivered in partnership with Fine Art, University of Suffolk with additional support from Essex Cultural Diversity Project.
Pier Projects Commissioning artists and working with communities to explore personal, social and environmental health, inspired by the context of Felixstowe, Suffolk.
Take A Part are the UK's leading socially engaged art (SEA) organisation, dedicated to supporting, furthering and sustaining SEA practice, community co-creation and community embedding placemaking in the UK. We take a community-first approach to culture, supporting areas and people underrepresented and underserved in our society to develop cultural confidence, advocacy and skills to take action on change in their own communities through culture.
