The ArtWorks Scotland 2012 Conference took place at The Lighthouse in Glasgow on 22 and 23 November. Entitled ‘Art, Society and Participation: Constructing the Larger Narrative’ the conference placed arts in participatory settings in a wider social context by exploring current thinking around value and ethics in this area of creative practice, and inviting delegates to consider the larger narrative for their work.

Placing Scotland on a wider international stage, time was given to reflect and discuss why artists work in participatory settings, what it means for society, why it is important, and what it means to be a sound, relevant and ethical practitioner.

The conference was led by keynote speakers Arlene Goldbard and Charles Chip McNeal, who also delivered workshops in ‘Ethics and Values of Community Arts Practice’ and ‘Creating Capacity while Creating Community’.

You can watch their keynotes and download a pdf version below.

Arlene Goldbard

Arlene Goldbard is a writer, speaker, consultant and cultural activist based in San Francisco. She has addressed many academic and community audiences in the U.S. and Europe on topics ranging from the ethics of community arts practice to the development of integral organisations. Arlene is currently working on a new book about art’s public purpose.

Arlene's Keynote Speech (.pdf)

Charles Chip McNeal

Charles Chip McNeal is Director of Education at San Francisco Ballet. He is an award winning lecturer, choreographer and teacher working across artforms, with particular interest in social justice, multiculturalism, quality and ethics.

Charles' Keynote Speech (.pdf)
Mapping the Next 10 Years (.pdf)

Infographics

These infographics have been produced to illustrate responses by artists to two surveys carried out by ArtWorks Scotland. The surveys asked artists questions like: why they worked in participatory settings? what sorts of training they might like? which settings they work?

They were also asked what factors create the conditions for quality work to happen? And how often do those factors happen?

The findings are part of the ongoing ArtWorks Scotland research, and are intended to help us develop guidance and toolkits to support arts in participatory settings.

More information from the conference breakout sessions will be available here shortly.

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