ArtWorks Alliance Gathering – Tough Times Refresh and Revitalise
Participatory Arts has rarely been more needed than in the tough times we are currently experiencing.
Artworks Alliance will be holding our first in-person meeting for several years.
It is crucial that within this time of fragmentation and division that we come together to share our experiences, frustrations, fears, hopes and strategies and find ways to support each other.
This Gathering will be an opportunity for anyone involved in participatory arts, socially engaged practice and creative activism to come together to create a safe space in which we can:
- Refresh and revitalise ourselves whilst inspiring and energising one another.
- Creatively explore some important topics of the moment, including power-sharing; care; reaffirming our values & maintaining our integrity; developing tactics for togetherness and progress.
- Share practice and strategies for confronting “the fierce urgency of now” (Martin Luther King).
- Create and manage our own agenda using an Open Space approach.
Our aspiration is that everyone who attends the Tough Times Gathering will go away with a renewed energy and faith in the crucial community practice we are involved in each and every day. Together, we will move forwards to shape the future with a shared sense of energy and purpose.
The situation is hopeless. We must take the next step (Pablo Cassals)
It’s tough out there? Do we need to be safe, or safe and brave? Or just a space!
Date and Venue
Friday 16th January 2026, 10.30am to 4pm Birmingham Museums, Thinktank Events Suite,
Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum, Millennium Point, Birmingham, B4 7XG
For Sat Nav use postcode B4 7AP.
The entrance to Thinktank is located on the ground floor, level 0.
Registration
This event costs £20, covering basic venue and refreshment costs. To register for the ArtWorks Alliance “Tough Times” Gathering, please use the PayPal link or QR code here:
Follow the link to the secure PayPal page, enter your details, and complete the £20 payment to confirm your place. If you are using the QR code, scan it with your phone to open the same payment page. Once your payment has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email. Your registration is not complete until payment has been received. Please register as soon as possible so we can finalise numbers for the event.
Catering
Catering will be provided on the day, and basic dietary needs will be covered. If you have specific requirements that we should be aware of in advance, please contact us after registering so we can make suitable arrangements.
