How can we reframe ‘culture’ as an essential public infrastructure?
Australia based but some useful provocations given the discussions that are happening in the UK.
What would change if arts and culture were understood not simply as industries to be monetised, but as a public good essential to democratic and liveable communities?
The colonisation of imagination
Great piece on imagination and futures thinking.
Over time, the boundaries of the imaginable begin to shrink.
People start adapting to systems they no longer truly believe in, while struggling to envision coherent alternatives. Exhaustion becomes normalised. Endless growth becomes treated as inevitable. Competition becomes framed as human nature. Hyper-productivity becomes associated with value, morality and worth.
At the same time, radically different ways of organising society often appear emotionally or politically unintelligible, even when current conditions are visibly failing.
Make craft seen – an update on SIC codes
Some may think it a bit of a nerdy point but great to see the lobbying of the Office for National Statistics has paid off and the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) has been updated to give better recognition of craft businesses.
Arts Council England: Our Strategic Framework
I am sure most of you will already have seen the news but just in case, ACE had published its new strategic framework as part of its response to the Hodge Review.
The Museum Transformation Programme: supporting ambitious change in our local museums
Building on the Museum Renewal Fund the new Museum Transformation Programme has now been launched by ACE. Delighted to see Fragile to Flourishing referenced under the ‘Useful Resources.’
Sycamore Gape: Coming Home (The SILL)
Beautiful video. Great to see creativity place such a central part in remembrance of the Sycamore Gap Tree.
Commissioned by Northumberland National Park Authority, artist Charlie Whinney and Creative Communities CIC worked to create something beautiful from the loss. To ensure a fitting legacy, workshops took place with schools and community groups, and visitors. This installation reflects hope and the deep connections between people, nature and place and the words you see came from the people who attended the workshops.