Fwd: What "good" can participatory arts do in partnership with public agencies?
Jackie Pease
From: Tessa Buddle <te...@collective-encounters.org.uk>
Date: Tue, Sep 9, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Subject: What "good" can participatory arts do in partnership with public agencies?
To:
Art, Change and 'Public Good' - OPEN SPACE event
Calling question:
What ‘good’ can participatory or socially engaged arts do in partnership with public and government agencies?
About this event:
“Culture is not just about the provision of goods and services to the sovereign consumer but a crucial aspect of citizenship and the empowerment required for the flourishing of human capabilities, of spiritual freedom”
Justin O’Connor, 2024, Culture is not an industry: Reclaiming art and culture for the common good
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The power of the arts, culture and creativity is undeniable. Engagement with participatory, community and socially engaged arts is a transformative experience for many.
Aiming for change, this work often includes partnerships with public and government agencies such as hospitals, social care settings, the prison and probation system, and in education.
Yet, these settings have been hit hard under austerity, leading to cuts to provision, staffing shortages and weakened infrastructure. Inequality is also rife across these contexts and perpetuated by unfair policies which leave the most vulnerable worse off.
This event will reflect on what is possible in these contexts.
Speakers
the vacuum cleaner: UK based artist and activist who makes candid, provocative and playful work
Ashleigh Nugent: writer, performer, therapist and director at RiseUp CIO
Isabelle Kirkham: Care Experienced Activist/Campaigner, Co-Founder & Co-Lead of The Care Experienced Movement
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This open space event is part of Collective Encounters’ Radical Retrospectives Festival, celebrating 21 years since the founding of the company.
Radical Retrospectives aims to look back over more than histories that are meaningful for our communities and imagine the future of theatre for social change in Liverpool City Region and beyond.
Event Format: Open Spaces are participant-led events where the agenda and discussion are driven by those in the room. At the beginning of the event guest speakers will introduce some key ideas, principles and practices behind the theme and offer provocations for discussion. Together we set the agenda and you will be able to move freely between conversations.
Ticket Cost: £5.00
We also have a small number of bursary places available for those with limited funds, please email in...@collective-encounters.org.uk
Tickets: https://actionnetwork.org/ticketed_events/art-change-and-the-public-good-open-space-event/
Access:
This event will take place in the Black-E which has step free access to the main entrance and an accessible lift to all levels. For more information see the Black-E accessibility statement: https://www.theblack-e.org/the-black-e-facilities/the-black-e-accessibility/
If you require BSL interpretation, please get in touch no later than two weeks before the event. If you have any other access requirements please email in...@collective-encounters.org.uk
Tel: 07564 356809
www.collective-encounters.org.uk
My usual working hours are 8:30-4:30.
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Radical Retrospectives
Looking back to look forward: Collective Encounters 21st birthday project featuring live and digital workshops, performances, exhibitions and more: https://collective-encounters.org.uk/radical-retrospectives/
Training & Development
Online discussions, open space events and training for participatory theatre makers. Book now: https://collective-encounters.org.uk/events/category/sector-development/
Take Part
Creative participation opportunities for adults and young people in Liverpool City Region, online and in-person: https://collective-encounters.org.uk/getcreative/
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