Jussara Nazare, artist. Photo by Ben Dornan Wilson
A one day symposium investigating the powerful role art, creativity, culture can play in bringing about
real and meaningful change to our communities across the Stroud district.
We invite you to join us for a day of inspirational talks, creative discussions and collective thinking.
This symposium is an opportunity to engage in a day of creative thinking, of reimagining, of shifting perspectives about how we can all connect as diverse communities across the Stroud district through taking culture and creativity seriously as powerful tools for change.
How do we move from talk to action?
“How do you move from a ‘no, because…’ culture to a ‘yes, if…’ culture?” Charles Landry
The symposium will be launching the Stroud District Council’s Cultural Strategy and will be a catalyst for ensuring Culture and Creativity is placed centre stage within council’s strategic plans and the available funding is spent imaginatively, strategically, resourcefully and fairly.
We are operating a Pay What You Can system to cover the lunch costs. All other costs are covered by Stroud District Council Cultural Strategy fund.
Confirmed speakers so far:
Charles Landry, Comedia, an international authority on the use of imagination and creativity in urban change. https://charleslandry.com/
Helen Marriage, Director, Artichoke, producer of The Sultan’s Elephant, a spectacular large scale work by Royale de Luxe.https://www.artichoke.uk.com/team/
Andrea Bartoli, Farm Cultural Park, Favara, Sicily. Led the transformation of a backwater into a globally recognized hub of regeneration through arts and cultural projects. https://www.farmculturalpark.com/who-we-are
Ben Walters and H from the Posh Club, a glamorous performance and social club for older people held regularly in five locations across London and the South East. https://duckie.co.uk/dr-duckie
Rachel Gnagniko is a founder of Amiokaa Associates, an anti-oppression consultancy agency specialising in a range of services that champion shared well-being and social justice. https://amiokaa.org/about-amiokaa/
Plus lightning speakers from key local activists, artists, councillors, council officers and cultural leaders.
Who is it for?
This day is for everyone who is interested in being part of making positive change in their community. If you are an artist, creative thinker, local activist, cultural engager, councillor, council officer, community group volunteer, cultural venue organiser, studio provider, local retailer or business owner, planner or architect we’d love you to register.
If you don’t identify with any of these categories but you are a curious imaginative individual or you feel like you’ve got skills and ideas to share or you are just keen to connect with others to talk about what culture means to you then we’d love you to come along.
More information about the aims of the day
This symposium will be launching the Cultural Strategy and will be a catalyst for ensuring Culture and Creativity is placed centre stage within Stroud District Council’s strategic plans to ensure the Cultural Strategy Action Plan is carried out imaginatively, strategically, resourcefully and fairly.
The aim is to create new ways of thinking and open up new imaginative conversations about the cultural future of the Stroud district, taking our inspiration from the work of Charles Landry on the use of imagination and creativity in urban change. Charles helps cities identify and make the most of their potential by triggering their inventiveness and thinking and by opening up new conversations about their future. We want to build a greater awareness of the role art, creativity, and culture can play in bringing about real and meaningful change to communities.
How to book a place
We are operating a Pay What You Can system to cover the lunch costs: £4/ £6 /£8 /£10.
There are a limited number of bursaries so if you are unable to afford this get in touch via office@sva.org.uk and we will send a full discount code which you will need to enter on the booking form so you will not be charged.