In recent years, the number of artists and organisations developing community arts or participatory projects in collaboration with specific communities has grown enormously. Decades ago, the landscape looked very different: worldwide there were only a handful of pioneers daring to develop community arts. They stumbled, got back up, learned, reinvented themselves, and refined their practice – a process from which our sector still has much to learn.
Now, many of these companies are undergoing a generational shift and celebrating their 30- or even 50+ year anniversaries. In this conversation, we invite the new generation of makers to celebrate the work of a few of the ‘hardcore community arts organisations’ and take stock: what lessons have they learned? And what new challenges and dilemmas arise in response to the contemporary realities within and beyond the cultural sector?
Drama Box (Singapore), Rotterdams Wijktheater (Netherlands) and Stut Theater (Netherlands), Junction Arts (UK), Citizens Theatre (Scotland) | Roundtable discussion