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The conference will feature a range of UK-based and international public art practitioners whose socially engaged practice and methods of co-creation will explore how art can help communities reimagine new futures. The one-day event will present a series of inspiring case studies that demonstrate the value of working in socially engaged ways, exploring pertinent questions in relation to socially engaged practice to facilitate a meaningful dialogue between artists, curators, communities and commissioners.

A publication will be developed as part of the conference.

Tickets for conference available here

Conference Schedule

• Introductions, 9:00 – 10:00

Speaker details will be announced soon.

• Changing our idea of time | Panel discussion, 10:00 – 11:20

Collaboration moves at the speed of trust. How do we reconcile the need to build realistic and effective timelines with the understanding that building relationships around trust and collaboration requires slow processes?

Changing our idea of time is moderated by Sepake Angiama, Director at iniva. Speakers include Helen Cammock, artist, Suzanne Lacy, artist, and Owen Griffiths, artist.

• We are all economists | Panel discussion, 11:40 – 13:00

Drawing on our own daily experience as citizens, consumers, budget holders, savers, and commoners, how do we empower ourselves and our communities to embrace alternative economic practice? How can we embed distributive and decentralised economic models in our projects that are capable of effecting change?

We are all economists is moderated by Fatoş Üstek, Independent Curator and Curator of Frieze Sculpture Park 2023. Speakers include Raluca Voinea, Director at tranzit.ro, and Torange Khonsari, Director at Public Works and Course Leader on Design for Cultural Commons at London Met.

• Social practice: empowerment or power struggle? | Workshop, 13:45 – 15:00

How do we voice and address the wider systemic challenges and limitations we encounter when developing projects with and alongside communities?

Social practice: empowerment or power struggle? will be led by Jes Fernie, Independent curator and writer.

• Making access a priority | Workshop, 13:45 – 15:00

When working with artists, collaborators, community members, and the wider public, how do we build in access right from the start?

Making access a priority will be led by Lady Kitt, disabled artist, researcher and drag king.

• Conflicting agendas: practical skills | Workshop, 13:45 – 15:00

How do you establish trust and common ground when working with collaborators from different sectors and with seemingly different agendas?

Conflicting agendas: practical skills will be led by Binki Taylor, commissioner/Director at The Brixton Project and Member of Diversity In the Public Realm (GLA).

• Key insights | Panel discussion, 15:15 – 16:15

Practitioners from earlier panels and workshops report back on insights, key learnings and take aways from the day’s conference.

Speaker details will be announced soon.

• Conclusion, 16:15 – 17:00

Speaker details will be announced soon.

Co-Creating Public Space: How can we thrive? is part of Constellations 2023. The programme also includes a series of online Constellations ° Assemblies, open to all artists, curators, practitioners, commissioners, and those working across public art, social practice and regeneration.

Alongside the events, the Constellations ° Cohort, a selected group of artists, curators, producers, and practitioners operating in the expanded field of public art, will take part in a programme of free learning and development opportunities.

Constellations 2023 is curated by UP Projects in partnership with Flat Time House and in association with Liverpool Biennial. Constellations 2023 includes the Co-Creating Public Space: How can we thrive? conference realised in partnership with John Hansard Gallery. Constellations 2023 is generously supported by Arts Council England, the Barrington Hibbert Associates Access Fund, and the Constellations Patrons.