Strichley Birmingham. 23rd Feb - Place Prospectors - http://www.prospectors.org.uk/
A day led by Multi Story and CENDEP Oxford Brooks around a project taking place in Strichley.
A brilliant day, that complimented the original conference back in October. It reinforced ideas set out then - that we need to dig where we stand and look to new models of partnership.
We looked in detail and visitied *STIRCHLEY PROSPECTS* who are working with local residents, businesses and organisations looking at routes, economics, empty spaces and shops at a time of change, to deliver a plan for the future.
Nabeel Hamdi spoke about participation, partnerships and how this can and lead to good governance. He also suggested we look more closely at the word Impact which should be used in relation to strategic thinking. And that the difficulties of achieving this are primary causes relating to cultural,economic and social causes. he suggested the learning happens when we are constrained, and that we need to be sleazy in order to make things happen [sleazy - thinking differently].
I challenged the talk by suggesting local groups are unable to move into positions where they are considered and listened too, and as such when artists turn up issues and problems and outcomes are activated, organisations that employ the artists perhaps need to take responsibility for what is unearthered and activated. Partly because they are in a position of salary after the end of funding and also can work strategically.
I strikes me as an artist we need to question and consider what we do ethically in these communities when we start something and consider who will support or deal with the situation/outcomes.
The day was drawn to a conclusion by the 'Whats Next?' question - Multistory decided to take the responsibilty to create a next stage for the community of Strichley an enable a day where local councillors and community and artists come together to consider decentralisation and local governance and planning.
We also discussed the idea of coming together for a day around notions of 'Shops' as sites for artists/etc to work with communities in activating local /social change.
What i loved most about the day was it was a room full of diverse people who thought similar to us and that they were all open to new ways of achieving change. Plus the food was tops.
Best quotes from the day were:
"To get where we want to get we sometimes need to start in a different place"
"Lessons are not learnt until they change what we do"
"Success is not the number of projects completed."
Lets arrange a Sheffield Small Change Forum - Multistory are keen and offered their support. Nabeel said he would come [June best time] - perfect.
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