Seasons Greetings
As 2023 draws to a close, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude to all of you for your support and dedication throughout the year. It’s been a positive year for ArtWorks Alliance and our community, marked by steady progress and meaningful engagement in participatory arts.
This year has seen us come together to share knowledge, ideas, and creativity, contributing significantly to our work in participatory arts right across the country. Your involvement in our online discussions and events has been instrumental in fostering a sense of community and enhancing the value of participatory arts in society.
In 2023, ArtWorks Alliance focused on several key areas, emphasising participatory arts and co-creation while addressing challenges and opportunities in the sector.
Training in Participatory Arts Principles: As a network, we recognised the need for training in participatory arts. ArtWorks Alliance concentrated on helping newcomers understand the specific culture of community arts. We’ve held regular discussions, at our gatherings and our weekly drop-ins, about the need to articulate the value of participatory arts to partners, clients and funding organisations, to ensure a broader understanding of participatory arts practice both for organisations and for freelancers, building confidence among our network of practitioners and supporters.
Language and Hierarchies in Participatory Arts: The importance of using inclusive and purposeful language was highlighted in our gatherings, recognising that participatory arts should be accessible to everyone and not overly arts-specific or technical. This approach aimed to position practitioners in a way that is relevant across the many participatory arts sub-sectors. The discussions touched on challenging sector hierarchies and being confident in our own sense of value, and then honest with partners and funders about the benefit of our activities, emphasising social justice and the role of participatory arts as tools for societal participation.
Co-Creation and Community Engagement: A consistent theme of our discussion was the need to examine creative approaches to co-creation, discussing models, recipes, and poems that help us to conceptualise participatory arts as a living practice, and recognising the value of what we do. Discussions also covered the challenges in resource allocation and funding, the importance of time in building relationships, addressing power dynamics, and the role of failure in the creative process.
Reflecting on Practitioners’ Roles and Wellbeing: Our discussions also underscored the importance of reflection and self-awareness for participatory arts practitioners, balancing engagement with personal wellbeing. The role of the ArtWorks Alliance network in providing support and fostering a sense of community has been re-emphasised, especially for those who might be isolated when they work independently, as freelancers, or as team members in an organisation.
Navigating Challenges and Resource Constraints: There was a focus in our discussions on how to navigate resource limitations, like time and funding, and how these impact co-creative practices. We looked at the need for more creative funding models, and more honest sharing of knowledge with other organisations was also discussed.
Advocacy and Policy Engagement: ArtWorks Alliance emphasised developing an advocacy plan for the participatory arts sector. The differences in focus among various regions (like England, Scotland, and Wales) were noted, and the need to articulate work in a way that resonates with different places, traditions, identities and themes was recognised.
Overall, ArtWorks Alliance’s activities in 2023 were marked by a profound engagement with the nuances of participatory arts, a commitment to inclusivity and co-creation, and an emphasis on practitioner wellbeing and sustainable practices. The discussions and activities throughout the year reflected a concerted effort to address both the creative and practical challenges of the sector, while advocating for its recognition and support.
As we approach the festive season, we hope you find time to relax and enjoy the company of friends and family. May this period be a restful and joyful one for you, offering a chance to reflect on the past year’s achievements and to look forward to new opportunities in the coming year.
Here’s to a peaceful Christmas and a hopeful New Year. Let’s continue to support each other and work towards our shared goals in the arts.
Sue, Abi, Hannah, Adrian, Rob
AWA Organising Group
