Curious Minds

A Trailblazer Symposium - FACT 23 May

Socially Engaged Arts Practice and new model visual arts organisations: a trailblazer symposium

May 23rd 10am – 4.45 pm FACT

You are invited to an event that will explore how visual arts organisations in the UK have pioneered new ways of collaborating with artists, of engaging audiences and of becoming agents for social change through contemporary visual arts practice. 

In order to better understand the impact of socially engaged arts practice and the ways in which its value can be evaluated and articulated, Arts Council England, the Gulbenkian Foundation and Northern Rock Foundation commissioned The University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) to completed an in-depth national comparative study of the practice of four visual arts organisations: Grizedale Arts (Cumbria), Artangel (London), Foundation for Art and Technology (Liverpool) and Centre of Contemporary Art (Glasgow).

The study evidences and conceptualises the different ways in which engagement with contemporary visual arts can change individuals, communities and organisations through deep, intensive and often personalised experiences where practice is informed by robust philosophies of social engagement and a strong civic mission.

This symposium invites practitioners, funders and educators to hear findings of the research, presented by Lynn Froggett; Professor of Psychosocial Welfare & Director of Psychosocial Research Unit, University of Central Lancashire, to discuss the potential future application of the research and to begin exploring a common language through which to articulate the artistic and social value of socially engaged arts practice.

Contributors include:

• Lynn Froggett, Professor of Psychosocial Welfare & Director of Psychosocial Research Unit, University of Central Lancashire.
• Alistair Hudson, Deputy Director Grizedale Arts Cumbria
• Patrick Fox, Head of Engagement, Foundation for Arts and Technology (FACT), Liverpool
• Rachel Anderson,  Head of Interaction, Artangel
• Claire Doherty, Director, Situations and Senior Research Fellow in Fine Art at University of the West of England.
• Sian Ede, Deputy Director Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
• Helen Wewiora, Arts Council England

Book here: http://sociallyengagedartspractice.eventbrite.com/