Following the call for papers for the First International Co-Creation Conference, to be held at Bath University on September 14th-15th 2017, Christina Horvath explains more about the conference, where some 30 presentations will explore the many facets of creativity in disadvantaged urban areas.
Creativity shapes cities. Artist-led projects have the power to challenge negative stigma and promote change, build capacity, broaden the range of available options for education, and improve health and well-being. Creativity is also at the heart of the Co-Creation project which aims to conceive of a method which allows residents from communities facing difficulties to work hand-in-hand with artists and researchers on challenging negative perceptions attached to their neighbourhoods. For this reason, the project’s first conference brings together researchers, artists and practitioners (who often combine several of these roles) at the University of Bath for two full days of debate and discussion about creative projects that aim to transform vulnerable neighbourhoods.
The University of Bath, the conference venue
The aim of this International workshop-conference is twofold: firstly we seek to conceptualise processes of co-creation and secondly, to look at empirical examples that shed light on what makes such transformative projects successful. The event will combine thematic sessions focusing on inequalities, art, regeneration and place-making practices in cities in Britain, Europe, South America and the rest of the world, starting with a keynote lecture by two collaborators in co-creation, Prof Ed Welch (University of Aberdeen) and photographer John Perivolaris. The workshop-conference will also involve a round table with writers, photographers and art curators from Paris and Rio de Janeiro, an urban walk across the world-heritage city of Bath and a creative urban workshop led by “44AD”, a Bath-based community art space.
The conference is expected to inspire new ways of thinking about art and artists in the city and encourage participants to share their expertise, thoughts and successful examples of co-creation projects, which will feed into further project events over the coming 4 years.
For further information about the conference, please contact Christina Horvath at Bath University (ch970@bath.ac.uk).