Searching for light in the participatory museum
For the past three months, I’ve been following a Museums Association initiative called Partnerships with Purpose. It builds on 10 years of
Category: Scotland
One for the historians
In my view community arts must still be regarded as an experiment—an experiment in ‘cultural democracy’ of great importance not
(Other people) thinking about cultural democracy
This is a quick post to let people know that Alison Jeffers’ and Gerri Moriarty’s book about the first 20
‘It’s given us permission to play, to take part, to engage.’
‘A Fun Palace is not a fete. It’s not about coming along and having a lovely time. It’s not audience
Why are there so few books about community art?
There are very few books about community art in Britain, despite its 50 year history. The key texts are: 1978, Artists
‘I hope it was a slight jolt for the public.’
We’re here Choked by this #Somme100 commemoration. At a time when being British makes little sense, just beautiful. #wearehere Tweet
Cultural heritage and participation
There was a time when I thought that community art had to be rooted in contemporary forms of art. I
Rural touring and cultural democracy
Rural touring is not a participatory art, but it is participatory culture. Why the distinction? Because in rural touring participation
Traditional music, young people and community in the Scottish Highlands
‘The fèis is very important to me because I am not very musical. I don’t play any instruments or sing,
Remembering Craigmillar Festival Society
‘Art was always used at Craigmillar as a frontline activity, as a language of regeneration: it was about fighting talk,
