Innovation in Engagement Conference 2021

The two-day online event developed by Kerry Campbell and Carys Fieldson alongside arts and social justice organisation MAIA championed diverse organisations across the UK that are delivering work that takes risks; is led for and with underrepresented groups and presents viable and vibrant alternatives to the statistical exclusivity of the arts and cultural sector. 

With increased dialogue around socially engaged practices specifically within the artist-led sector, the organisers and project partners recognised a lack of organisational and infrastructural dialogue. The Innovation in Engagement conference was an urgent response to this omission – facilitating national cross-organisational and cross-sector learning as well as the generous sharing of the complex challenges associated with delivering radically inclusive work. 

The programme featured perspectives, projects and strategies for social change from creative practitioners, activists, organisations, charities, artists, policy makers and communities.

In the fall-out from the COVID pandemic and in stark acknowledgement of the Black Lives Matter campaign, it is more urgent than ever to interrogate the infrastructure, civic value and responsibility of cultural organisations. Situating such conversations in the immediate aftermath of recent global events intended to hold space for re-imagining cultural organisations as civic institutions for public benefit - organisations which are reactive, sustainable and accountable to the needs of the communities they serve.