PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT = DELIVERING SOCIAL IMPACT IN COMMUNITIES
The artists we work with deliver a public programme in return for using the space. The projects and creatives are selected by local partners, that understand what projects would be most of interest to the local community. These can be workshops, talks, performances that are free to attend.
When culture is in an empty shop, it can create a sense of ownership and belonging. People that do not feel culture is for them feel more welcome in our spaces than in a traditional gallery that can feel daunting or exclusive.
We have seen the powerful effect that art and cultural engagement can have in communities. The arts foster community ownership, cohesion, and a sense of pride, and where communities have fewer economic resources the arts create social capital and support equitable development.
Individuals benefit from attending and participating in cultural programmes and activities.
Effects of which can be seen as:
Engagement, energy and tension, concentration, captivation, absorption
Personal resonance, emotional connection, empathy, inspiration
Learning, thinking, provocation, challenge, intellectual stimulation
Aesthetic growth, discovery, aesthetic validation, creative stimulation
Social connectedness, sense of belonging, shared experience, social bridging, social bonding
Feedback from our events
Battersea engagement
“I loved meeting the wide range of (mainly young) people that attended.”
“I was excited to come to an art event which was being staged by a number of different artists.”
“It was fascinating to see how on the night different people met and discussed the art on display and their background understanding of art”.
“Has been great meeting the residents and know new people and friends’ groups through them”
“Loved to move in the different spaces and discover different artists’ worlds”
Mayfair public events
“Attendees really enjoyed the Opening and Closing events. Finding the show a good mix of various art and crafts, including contemporary bodies of work with more classical ones. The Opening event, in particular, reflected our intention to open up to a wider audience and allowed people to explore art in a more celebratory and engaging way”
Newham public events
“We have had unanimous positive responses from the workshops, and some of our engagement and other projects have benefitted as people pick up flyers for our other offers when they are at the workshops”. The space has been very useful for bringing the community together, both the artists in the unit but also bringing in members of the public”
CENTRAL LONDON FEEDBACK
Workshops in Stratford
catford community events
“Best night of my life” – person 1, 8yrs
“My favourite art was the talking machine and the money” – person 2, 8yrs.
“What a brilliant show and well done for your brilliant work. It is really beautiful and I thought out of all the work there, yours had a comfort and hope for the future, which is centred in the community and communication.”
“I feel quite overwhelmed seeing this.”
“People were really excited to talk about their own experiences of mending as well as the own stories of clothes and what they mean to them.”
SOUTH LONDON PERFORMANCE PROGRAMME
Collectively, the artists have put on over 40 events for the public, engaging up to a thousand people. Public feedback included: ‘Absolutely wonderful to see some art today! Lovely surprise and my boys enjoyed having a go too’, ‘More of this please!’ ‘A few people commented how happy they were to have something to do locally with their kids and how they felt like we were bringing back some needed community spirit.’
BRISTOL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
A longer term commitment to bring life, culture, and public activity to empty units. The artists have brought photography, poetry, performance, visual and digital arts into the spaces. Collectively, the artists have put on over 60 events for the public, engaging up to a thousand people. Public feedback included: ‘Absolutely wonderful to see some art today! Lovely surprise and my boys enjoyed having a go too’, ‘More of this please!’ ‘A few people commented how happy they were to have something to do locally with their kids and how they felt like we were bringing back some needed community spirit.’
Creative Solutions for Empty Council Assets
