Never Dive Alone - Your Opportunity to be with others and part of the debate
To see photos of the day visit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fullcirclearts/
The cultural landscape is changing. The way we interact, collaborate and create has a different topography.
Full Circle Arts had a day event on Thursday 11 June 09 (half day conference and half day Open Space) looking at inclusion in this new landscape.
For too long inclusion, diversity, reach and engagement have been seen as a ‘bolt on‘ to artistic practice and the main work of arts organisations. Perhaps the new landscape could help us appreciate them as core values, without which we cannot deliver quality or equality.
We looked at the value of collaboration, openness, participation and personalisation for inclusion.
The event gave us the opportunity to roll our sleeves up and actively engage with these issues. Working with tried and tested structures, we explored with others how we all might move forward.
The morning looked at; experience of inclusion from an organisational and an individual perspective, Full Circle Arts’ perpetual beta model of striving for inclusive participation, some of our successes and failures and some of our fears and dreams. There were plenty of opportunities for participants to reflect on their learning, and space for people to consider the implications of the four short presentations. Participants experienced first-hand some of the tools and approaches coming to the fore as mechanisms for transformative conversations.
Because the issues were paradoxically complex yet simple, the afternoon was in the shape of an Open Space event where participants set the agenda and actively decided where they could be most useful and most nourished.
We had a diverse range of people from academics, to artists to marketing directors and artistic directors, and its probably safe to say that as grown up as we all are, everyone enjoyed good company, great conversations, drawing on the tables and eating the old school sweets.
We received some fantastic positive feedback from the day such as:-
“I just wanted to get in touch to say how impressed I was with the event yesterday. It's not often that such a wonderful opportunity comes along and I think you really pulled off something special. It was partly to do with the glorious Bridgewater venue, gorgeous food and professional air of the day. And also your style of presentation, use of technology and choice of group exercises were really interesting, new to me and very refreshing.
But more so it was because you are a group of people who obviously believe in the power of your practice. I mentioned at the end that the opportunity to share is a wonderful stimulus for me. While the day brought up lots of unanswered questions, I left the building with a strange sense of clarity, ambition and inspiration. So I just wanted to thank you all for giving a platform to some really important themes, facilitating a space where I could network and learn from others, and for raising the bar for inclusion and disability arts.
I and the members of So Many Words are very grateful for the valid work your company continues to produce”.
Jamie Patterson - Artistic Director, So Many Words Theatre Company
“I wanted to say that, all in all, I found the morning inspirational! (And this from someone who’s been to far too many conferences and therefore is often too cynical for his own good).
It was fantastic to hear you spell out how important the web is (and will be) in terms of access to an organisation – totally in tune with the direction I’m keen we take, but provided plenty of food for thought. Watch this space!”
Jonathan Harper - Marketing Director The Lowry
Or on Twitter
ContactMcr Had a great time at Never Dive Alone #neverda yesterday. Thank you! @chrissyhammond @full_circle_art
iamhelenharrop really inspiring and fun day in MCR at #neverda .. looking forward to catching up with folks again @shifthappens
sc_r #neverda - wrapping up a great day here at the conference - really enjoyed the open space event, thanks to @full_circle_art people!
kate_butler had an extremely inspiring, informative and entertaining day at 'never dive alone'. http://bit.ly/Li2p7 #neverda
MarisaDraper Great day at #neverda event. Great presentations, discussions and old school sweets. You can't beat space dust. :)
You can see more feedback within the PDFs below, download photos from our Flickr account, post comments, start discussions or make suggestions on our event social network site (you don’t have to have attended the event to join we welcome everybody and all opinions). And check back here often as more evaluation, photos, a video and other stuff will be being posted up daily over the next couple of weeks.
You can visit the Never Dive Alone website:
http://neverdivealone.crowdvine.com/
You can download the transcript of the day below. It's come directly from the Speech to Text people so there's still some faffing to do with it, please be patient with us and we'll correct the errors in the next few days:
Never Dive Alone Transcript- PDF Document, 81kB
To see a list of resources and links used on the day download:
- Never Dive Alone resources and links
- PDF Document, 59kB
To look at the feedback gathered at the Goblin Market download:
- Feedback from Goblin Market
- PDF Document, 67kB
To See what was said in the #neverda twitter stream download:
- tweet stream
- PDF Document, 102kB
The programe of days events can be downloaded below or you can click on the issuu document below the PDF version:
- Never Dive Alone Programme
- PDF Document, 288kB
Full Circle Arts:Fayre eXchange
An Artist Development and Networking Day
Give what you can - Take what you need
Fayre exchange took place on Tuesday 1st April 2008 at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester 10am - 5pm
It was an event for all disabled artists at any stage in their career.
'Fayre eXchange' is committed to individual professional development and provided a platform for individuals to share information around professional development experiences, training, networks and funding.
It encouraged an open dialogue, paying particular attention to professional development needs. It offered time to meet with and receive information from various arts organisations and individuals.
This event was open to young emerging artists who have progressed through our Mentoring Scheme onto Professional Development, Source Young Artists, arts professionals who have mentored with Full Circle Arts and key figures from various arts training organisations.
Keynote Speaker: Phillip Patston
Phillip is the founder of Diversityworks Trust, New Zealand and the founder and Director of the International Guild of Disabled Artists and Performers. He is also a New Zealand Social Entrepreneur Fellow, creative entrepreneur, philanthropist, thought-leader, inspiring internationalist and a performer.
Other speakers included: funders and training providers and an 'on the sofa' session with professional disabled artists sharing their experiences including their highs and lows.
Fayre exchange was a great success! Look out for more Full Circle events coming up next year.
