Addressing global challenges through the arts and creative practices
10:00 am to 4:00 pm Friday 5th of October 2018
M Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol BS1 4RN

We held a one-day seminar in Bristol to reflect on the potential and role of the arts and creative practice in addressing critical global challenges. The focus of our discussions included:

• Where and how artists are engaging with social and environmental issues.
• The challenges, opportunities and implications of accessing and engaging vulnerable individuals and communities through the arts and practice.
• How community-based arts can contribute to improvements in the welfare of those living in vulnerable conditions.
• Interdisciplinary challenges associated with bringing together science and arts perspectives in addressing critical social and environmental issues.

 
A central focus of the day was an in-depth review of our project. During the afternoon, we heard from other academics and artists working in critical challenges. 
 
Please click on the presentation headings to see the videos. 
 
10:15 Introduction to the AHRC project and seminar
Michael Buser, University of the West of England, Bristol
https://people.uwe.ac.uk/Person/MichaelBuser
https://rajasthanwater.weebly.com/
 
10:30 The Art of social engagement
Loraine Leeson, Middlesex University
http://cspace.org.uk/who/
 
10:45 Conditions of water scarcity in Rajasthan, India
MS Rathore, Centre for Environment and Development Studies, Jaipur
http://cedsj.org/
 
11:15 Art with Intention
Nina Sabnani, Artist and storyteller (Industrial Design Centre, IIT Bombay)
http://ninasabnani.com/about/
 
11:45 Water Detectives Project: a project with school children of Chirawa, Rajasthan.  
Anurupa Roy, Puppet Designer and Director, New Delhi.
http://katkatha.org/
 
12:15 panel discussion
 

14:00 Fleuve - the tale of two rivers (A UK/Canada collaboration)
Laura Denning, Bath Spa University
https://lauradenningartworks.weebly.com/
 
14:15 Why does art matter? Counter-mapping the housing crisis in felt
Jessica Jacobs, Queen Mary University of London and Andrea Morreau, artist
http://www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/staff/jacobsj.html
 
14:30 Value of Culture in Conflict 
Neelam Raina, Middlesex University
https://www.mdx.ac.uk/about-us/our-people/staff-directory/profile/raina-neelam
 
15:15 Discussions / panel