National network to develop socially-engaged arts practice

A new national, knowledge sharing network focused on socially-engaged arts practice is set to be established and led by Battersea Arts Centre (BAC).

Backed by £360k from Arts Council England (ACE), the Co-Creating Change network will develop practical, tested solutions to societal challenges. Focused “away from London”, it will commission a series of creative projects across the country that respond to community need.

The national network will comprise 20 to 40 arts partners, who could be producers, arts organisations or artists, as well as cultural critics, writers and university research teams. It is being supported by trusts and foundations, including the Gulbenkian Foundation and Paul Hamlyn Foundation. 

In addition to holding practical knowledge-sharing events, the network will commission ten £12k projects, ‘co-created’ with community partners.

Building momentum

The funding from ACE’s now-closed Ambition for Excellence Fund is for three years of activity, but BAC hopes the network will build its own momentum through the projects it supports.

BAC has sited as inspiration the Young Carers initiative at The Lowry in Salford, a programme which provides a creative outlet for young people with a caring responsibility.

A spokesperson said: “When we look back in five years’ time, we want some of the work which has evolved from Co-Creating Change to be working at that scale and that level of success and, of course, also being shared in more than one location.”

Non-London focus

When asked why BAC, based in south west London, is best placed to lead a network with a focus beyond the capital, a BAC spokesperson said the organisation was “very conscious” of the national and international role it needed to play. They pointed to BAC’s recent success with programmes such as Creative Museums and the Collaborative Touring Network, which supported partners from across the UK.

“This has included introducing members to (often London-based) funding streams and promoting their work nationally,” the spokesperson continued. “With Co-Creating Change we aim to connect national and international members of the network and shine a light on exceptional practice happening all around the UK.”

BAC is currently seeking expressions of interest in the network and is planning to hold a first meeting of members in July.