John Wright explores the role of socially-engaged artists and suggests ways to inform future practices, policymaking and pathways to a more equitable cultural sector.
What do we know about the role of artists working in socially engaged ways, the value of this work, how they are funded and the different settings they work in?
This research digest explores the current evidence base around artists working in socially engaged practices. This can range from artists working in residencies with town-planning departments to educational activities in schools, and wellbeing and mental health workshops within healthcare systems.
There are many current debates that depict the artist as both disrupter of the ongoing “status quo” and complicit in maintaining power imbalances. Many of these discussions focus on the social value and impact artists can make in different areas of society. Yet, even discussing “the” role “the” artist plays and the social value of their practice could be seen as misleading: artists hold many roles in society, and there are also multiple definitions of the term “artists”...Keep reading on Centre for Culture Value.
What do we know about the role of artists working in socially engaged ways, the value of this work, how they are funded and the different settings they work in?
This research digest explores the current evidence base around artists working in socially engaged practices. This can range from artists working in residencies with town-planning departments to educational activities in schools, and wellbeing and mental health workshops within healthcare systems.
There are many current debates that depict the artist as both disrupter of the ongoing “status quo” and complicit in maintaining power imbalances. Many of these discussions focus on the social value and impact artists can make in different areas of society. Yet, even discussing “the” role “the” artist plays and the social value of their practice could be seen as misleading: artists hold many roles in society, and there are also multiple definitions of the term “artists”...Keep reading on Centre for Culture Value.