Critical Conversations: dialogues around the practice of arts in participatory settings
As part of Helix Arts' work to develop a better understanding of quality practice in Participatory Arts, we have helped to develop a series of Critical Conversations for participatory artists as part of the Artworks North East programme. These Critical Conversations are opportunities for artists who undertake participatory work in different artforms to come together and discuss their practice.
We therefore invite artists to participate in the first in a series of Critical Conversations as part of the ArtWorks North East: Developing Practice in Participatory Settings project.
Cultural organisations in the North East of England have a strong record of working with artists to develop participatory arts projects in different settings. As part of a national arts research project funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and designed to facilitate new dialogues around and understandings of participatory arts practice, the University of Sunderland is working with a consortium of regional partners (ArtWorks North East) to develop a clearer understanding of what makes for good participatory practice.
Critical conversations: dialogues around the practice of arts in participatory settings. As part of this project, ArtWorks North East are together hosting a series of Critical Conversations involving artists, participants, commissioners, host groups and other collaborators. We are inviting different people responsible for creating and delivering participatory work to reflect on their practice, and to open that practice up to discussion by others. Each conversation will take place in an open learning atmosphere in which artists/presenters feel confident to share their practice with others and where people feel able to ask challenging questions about that practice in appropriate ways. Through these conversations, we will explore what constitutes quality work in participatory settings. We aim to identify and share models of good practice across art forms, and from this to develop appropriate training and professional development opportunities for artists.
The North East Photography Network is delivering the first of these events on behalf of the University of Sunderland. This event will focus on the use of photography and photographic artists in participatory work, and the various forms this can take. We would like to discuss the different models of practice which exist and seek your views on issues of quality, process and experience. We hope that the opportunity to reflect on practice will be beneficial for those attending as well as informing this research project.
The event will take place on Thursday 9 February 2012 from 15.30 at the National Glass Centre, Sunderland. You can download an agenda for the afternoon for your information below.
We would like to invite you to attend to share your experiences and to help shape this important research and inform future professional development provision for artists.
We would be grateful if you could confirm if you are able to attend by Monday 30 January 2012 by email to amanda.ritson@sunderland.ac.uk, copied to carol.mckay@sunderland.ac.uk
- Critical Conversation February 9 2012 Agenda (Word doc) →
- Critical Conversations February 9 2012 Key Questions (Word doc) →
Call for artists/producers/art makers/academics/practitioners to make a valuable contribution to important contemporary research via participation in Focus Groups
ArtWorks North East, led by the University of Sunderland with a wide range of partner organisations, is one of five UK pathfinder projects. The initiative will work by improving the training and continuing professional development infrastructure in higher education institutions and arts organisations.
Focus Groups
The establishment of Focus Groups is part of the activities designed to bring together artists, academics, arts and social sector organisations in a series of critical dialogues, research projects and co-mentoring frameworks, from which will emerge a better understanding of progression and employability where artists are engaging in participatory settings.
ArtWorks North East is seeking artists (newly qualified, mid career, well established) and academics to contribute to Focus Group meetings. The meetings will start in February 2012 and be facilitated and hosted by one of the following partner organisations:
Dance & Drama: Northern Stage. Contact Kylie Lloyd on 0191 242 7213, klloyd@northernstage.co.uk
Creative Writing: New Writing North. Contact Sharon Taylor on 0191 233 3878, sharon@newwritingnorth.com
Media: Tyneside Cinema. Contact Holli McGuire on 0191 227 5511, Holli.McGuire@tynesidecinema.co.uk
Music: The Sage Gateshead. Contact Dave Camlin on 0191 443 5247, dave.camlin@thesagegateshead.org
Visual Art: University of Sunderland. Contact Lyndsey Mitchinson on 0191 515 2000 (4210), lyndsey.mitchinson@sunderland.ac.uk
If you are interested in being involved in one of the above Focus Groups please email the appropriate contact person above.
By participating in Focus Group meetings you are agreeing to the session being recorded and information used for the purposes of the project.
We would also like to add your details to our PHF ArtWorks NE database, if you don't wish to be included please advise in your email.
Artworks: "Developing Practice in Participatory Settings" is a Paul Hamlyn Foundation Special Initiative with support and funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council, Creativity Culture & Education (supported by Art Council England) and the Cultural Leadership Programme.
Helix Arts Database
Helix Arts has built up a comprehensive database of artists and arts professionals who we routinely contact when we are recruiting for projects. If you would like to be added to our database please complete and return the Word document below, or contact us by telephone or email.
T: 0191 241 4931
F: 0191 241 4933
E: info@helixarts.com
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Helix Arts is located a few minutes from Central Station and our offices are on the second floor of The Old Casino Building on Forth Lane. We are fully accessible to wheelchair users. There is a large public car park nearby and limited street pay-and-display parking is also available. Our opening hours are 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. If you would like to book a room either complete our downloadable booking form (available in either editable pdf or Microsoft Word format) or contact Yvonne Dobson on 0191 241 4931 or email: yvonne.dobson@helixarts.com
